The Canadian Convention of the Country Gospel Music Association ended on a high note on June 24 with an awards ceremony featuring several Assiniboia and district community members as winners. Assiniboia had hosted this year鈥檚 convention from June 19-24.聽
This was one of the CGMA鈥檚 five continental conventions in 2017. There are three division conventions in the U.S., one in Canada and the international convention, taking place this year in Branson, Missouri. Administrator Donna Hale noted that the convention is held in different locations to attract interest in the CGMA across North America. The Assiniboia event marks the 127th convention for the association鈥檚 7,464 members.聽
Attending the convention were 41 members from Canada and the U.S. Day one of the convention officially began in the evening with a 鈥淪ing 鈥榥 Share鈥� where the artists and their ministries were first introduced.聽
Each morning the members attended worship called 鈥淟ove in the Lord鈥� time, when the group also prayed for each other鈥檚 needs.
Teach 鈥榥 Train with classes in ministry and music related subjects took place on the afternoons of day two and three. Day four featured a CGMA Parley, and a business luncheon that was a time of celebration, sharing and planning. On day five the ordination ceremony was held for those who completed their course work. In partnership with the Patriot School of Bible, the CGMA offers certification and ordination as music ministers. Ordinations takes place at conventions.
Each evening Billy Hale, CGMA founder and president, addressed the audience with a sermonette on the convention theme 鈥淟iving in Victory鈥�. First lady Donna Hale also greeted the audience each evening. Each evening from Tuesday through Friday featured performances in 10 award categories that ranged from children鈥檚 ministry and acapella to yodelling and bluegrass. This part was open to the public. There were 35-40 performers from Canada and the U.S. GCMA members were given ballots each evening to vote on the categories. Following the category performances, a jam session was held every night. Along with the music, many performers related their personal faith story which inspired the audience.
There were several performers at the convention from Assiniboia and surrounding communities. Based on the voting, the Silver Heart awards were given out on the final day of the convention. The awards are meant to have members endorse one another and advance the artists through acclamation and accreditation.聽
The 2017 Silver Heart Canada Awards included: the Andy Tydlaska Esteemed Pioneer award went to Roy Walwyn; the Male Vocalist of the Year went to Karey Quiring; Male Vocalist of the Year (Full Time) was given to Murray Jaster; Instrumentalist of the Year went to Esther Bregg; Acoustical Instrumentalist of the Year went to Dorothy Roach; Signing Interpreter of the Year went to Barbara Leavins; Female New Artist of the Year went to Jackie Reiman; Teenage Performer of the Year was given to Shaelyn Juell; Young Performer of the Year went to Emily Bugiera; Manager of the Year went to Ken Olson; Shepherd of the Year went to Doug Rue: Drama of the Year went to Sarah Warenko; and the Recognition of Excellence award also went to the Assiniboia Alliance Church.聽
Some artists received multiple awards. Yvonne Norton received Favorite Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Psalmist of the Year, Acappella Artist of the Year, Bilingual Artist of the Year, Promoter of the Year and the Recognition of Excellence. Aven Grace was given Female Vocalist of the Year (Full Time), Songwriter of the Year (Full Time) and Producer of the Year. Jacqueline Lees received the Recruiter of the Year, Recognition of Excellence, and the Mary Greenhill Esteemed Servant awards. Andrew Bugiera received the Yodeler of the Year and Male New Artist of the Year awards. Bob Leslie was awarded the Mentor of the Year, Male Entertainer of the Year and Comedian of the Year awards. The Female Entertainer of the Year and Media Personality of the Year awards went to Wanda Lee Rue. Traditional Country Gospel Artist of the Year and Whistler of the Year went to Daren Mcintosh. The group Signs of His Grace received the Acappella Ensemble of the Year and Duo of the Year awards. Barbara Armstrong was awarded Reciter of the Year and Lyricist of the Year. Ken Olson & Friends received Vocal Group of the Year, Band of the Year, and Bluegrass Artist of the Year awards. Robert Faith received the Children鈥檚 Ministry of the Year and Evangelist of the Year awards.
鈥淭he convention feels like a family reunion,鈥� Donna Hale described the warm atmosphere of the event. She added that Assiniboia was very supportive of the convention. The Southland Co-op donated 50 Rider game day shirts. The town made a good impression on the CGMA members who hoped to have the convention again in Assiniboia one day.聽
