The history of YDM began in May 2000 when Jackie Smith, through her work with area youth, realized the gifts and talents God had given these young people. YDM was envisioned as a mass choir, thus, the birth of the music ministry, YDM (Youth Development Ministry) Mass Choir.
Y D M began auditioning in January 2004 and held their first organized rehearsal in July of the same year. Since then, they have sung at many churches, locally and abroad. They have participated in several community and civic events, including a “Toy Drive “, sponsored by Congresswoman, Shelia Jackson Lee. They are the proud sponsors of Operation “Cover-Up”, a project to donate blankets to area nursing homes and homeless shelters.
Their travel abroad has taken them to Austin, Dallas, Killeen and San Antonio, Texas; Monroe and Shreveport, Louisiana; Dalton and Atlanta, Georgia. Their first local TV appearance was on Houston’s Fox 26 and they made two television appearances on Bobby Jones Gospel, once in Nashville, Tennessee and once in Miami Beach, Florida, both shows have aired on The Word Network.
They also traveled to Orlando, Florida to sing at Epcot Center for Disney World Gospel Choir Fest and attended “Night of Joy” at Magic Kingdom.
The choir has ministered on the same stage as gospel artist: Lecresia Campbell, Bishop Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Lamar Campbell, Brent Jones, Daryl Coley, Beverly Crawford and Shekinah Glory, Kellee Johnson, The Chicago Mass Choir, The Tri City Singers to name a few.
Musical Accolades for YDM includes:
2006 – Youth Choir of the Year
2006 – Youth Choir Director of the Year
2006 – Runner-up: New /artist of the Year
2007 – Runner-up: Community Choir
2007 – Runner-up: Youth Choir
2008 – Youth Choir of the Year
2008 – Community Choir of the Year
2009 – Runner-up: Youth Choir
2009 – Runner-up: Community Choir
2010 – Runner-Up: Community Choir
* * The above mentioned awards were presented by the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards.
YDM is abundantly blessed to have recorded their first CD, entitled “This Is MySpace”, LIVE in Dallas and released it at their Second Anniversary on their own record label, The YDM Music Factory. In their hometown of Houston, the project was introduced to the city on gospel radio station 1360 (KWWJ). It debuted on the stations’ Top 5 at 5 at number 5. In one week it rose to the number 1 spot and held that spot for weeks, it is still in heavy rotation at the station. YDM appeared on the Youth Choir Stage of the Verizon Wireless “How Sweet The Sound” Church Choir Competition in Houston at the Toyota Center in 2008. YDM Aannual Tour 2010 took them to Charlotte, NC for the John P. Kee VIP Conference. Their Annual Memorial Day Tour takes them to Atlanta, Ga. where they they have done two television taping for The Reggie Gay Gospel Show on WATC and sang at Hillside International Truth Center, Bishop Barbara King, Pastor.
YDM is coming on a spiritual high, as they make preparations for their 9th Anniversary on October 13, 2013, exactly 13 days before they leave for their first International tour to London, England and Paris France. With guest from all over Houston, Atlanta and Louisiana. They expect a standing room crowd to exceeded over 1,300 guest. God has taken this group of young people to a special place in gospel music, meeting the needs of those they minister to.
YDM continues to do community projects such as after school tutorials. They are impacting the gospel music industry as well as influencing their community as young leaders of tomorrow.
MORE THAN JUST A CHOIR
YDM IS MORE THAN JUST A CHOIR. WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE WHOLE PERSON, NOT JUST THEIR VOCAL GIFTS AND TALENTS.
THERE ARE MANY MINISTRIES WITHIN THE SINGING AGGREGATION THAT WILL HELP EACH INDIVIDUAL REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL.
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