Mattie Moss Clark - Short History

In 1958, she recorded "Going to Heaven to Meet the King", with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, becoming the first person to commit the sounds of a choir to record. She was also the first person to separate vocal parts into soprano, alto and tenor. She received three gold albums with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, and went on to write and arrange hundreds of song and recorded over 50 albums.

She directed Cadillac Motor Company's Christmas choir for 11 years and also conducted community-wide mass choirs for the prestigious NAACP Freedom Fund Dinners. In 1979, she founded the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, which established itself as one of the most prestigious schools of its kind in the country. In 1981, Trinity College] in Pennsylvania conferred upon her one of their highest honors, the degree of Doctor of Humanity . After the death of Bishop Bailey in 1985, she continued as State Minister of Music for Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #1, attending Greater Mitchell Church of God in Christ, under Bishop J.H. Sheard. She was also one of the editors and contributors to the hymnal published by the Church of God in Christ entitled, Yes, Lord.

When the late Bishop J.O. Patterson appointed her the International President of the Music Department in 1968, she worked to instill within musicians and choirs a responsibility to Christ as well as capability for Christ. Throughout her efforts, young people especially received her and many were saved, and uplifted by her music and message.

She completely revolutionized the music departments. She gave definition to the role of State Minister of Music, traveled year-round to every state in the country conducting workshops, rehearsals and musicals to prepare choirs for service on the National Church level and organized the structure of the National Music Convention of the Church of God in Christ. Dr. Clark introduced the workshop and seminar concept to the convention, and, along with her staff, structured classes for the convention and created "A Star Is Born", the program where new talent was introduced before thousands.

As her health declined, Dr. Clark never lost the fire and passion for her mission, and she learned to give all she had whatever God gave her and believed He would do the rest. An accomplished musician, arranger, composer, leader, director, teacher and exemplary woman of God, Dr. Clark died on September 22, 1994. Her legacy is one that will stand as a testament to the anointing of God and His gifts. What she accomplished is matched by only a handful of anointed vessels, cementing her standing as the true "First Lady" of gospel music.


Rance Allen
Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Inez Andrews
Shirley Caesar
The Clark Sisters
Rev. James Cleveland
Commissioned
Andrae Crouch
Sandra Crouch
The Davis Sisters
Thomas A. Dorsey
Aretha Franklin
Cassietta George
Edwin Hawkins
Tramaine Hawkins
Walter Hawkins
Donald Lawrence
J. Moss
Karen Clark Sheard
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard
The Soul Stirrers
Sounds of Blackness
Richard Smallwood
Hezekiah Walker
Albertina Walker
Clara Ward
Thomas Whitfield
The Winans Family
The Winans
BeBe & CeCe Winans
BeBe Winans
CeCe Winans
Mario Winans
Marvin Winans
Ron Winans
Vickie Winans

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mattie
• Moss
• The
• Clark
• Sisters
• Artist
• Incorporated
• E-jay
• Randolph
• EJ
• religious
• Oleta
• Adams
• Yolanda
• Rance
• Allen
• Vanessa
• Bell
• Armstrong
• Inez
• Andrews
• Kim
• Burrell
• Shirley
• Caesar
• Byron
• Cage
• Caravans
• Kurt
• Carr

[05mosaic]

I wish she would have had 12 daughters!

[Saphdoll]

My mother used to sing in the state choir when Sis Moss was over it. She said that whenever the choir would mess up, you would see shoes thrown because that lady did not play. They practice over and over and until she said it was right, by performance time, that choir did what they were supposed to do.

[coollikeabrezze]

4REAL. 4REAL.

[EMWBOI07]

When I was a young child back in the 80's she came to Battle Creek Michigan and taught 6 songs in 30 mins and was done. The choir came that night and sung like they been singing together for 30 years! And Twinkie was on the Hammond Organ, no drummer, This is when choirs clapped their hands. She was truly a saint and a pioneer and way way ahead of her time.

[Quandrar]

Wow, I remember Mrs. Clark a lil but not much. But as a look at her doughters, its shows her all over again. Wish I would have met her. However thanks for posting. She has really done a wonderful Job with music ministry. when she died thats when i started watching the Clark sister..I was only 8 years old. So been watching them a while, and they have been a blessing in my life.

[TheFutureBishop]

OMG!!!!!! Karen looks and even sounds like her when she talks......

[rch1jr]

She was born in 1925 and dies in 1994 so she was about 69

[titeyungin]

This is AWESOME.. WELL narrated and very precise on th einformation... I didnt knwo her exact age at which she passed.. which means she had her daughters at a very mature age.. GO Dr. Clark!!!