The Gospel Musicians Committee presented its annual Spotlight – a highlight of the holiday season – at the Local 802 Club Room on Dec. 15. The committee, which celebrated its 11^th anniversary last year, is coordinated by 802 staff members Pedro Rodriguez and Leslie Wilkins. They describe its goals as “to be the first place and last place the gospel community calls, when they need gospel musicians,” and to educate members who want to make a full-time career in gospel music.

Along with organizing the annual spotlight and periodic gospel jam sessions, the committee publishes a newsletter, holds seminars and rank-and-file meetings, and does a great deal of outreach, speaking and setting up booths at a wide range of meetings and conferences – including the American Guild of Organists, Baptist Ministers’ Conference, American Quartet Conference and the Gospel Sunday Festival in Harlem.