In the fall of 1985, convention singers from throughout the state of Alabama met to discuss conducting a summer music school similar to ones held in other states. A follow-up meeting was then held at the St. Clair County Singing Convention at the Church of the Valley. At that time, fifty gospel singers paid $10 to sponsor the schools creation and help fund its opening. Of those fifty individuals, eight were elected to be executive board members. The first session of the school was held in 1986 at Snead State Community College. Throughout the years, ASGM has had representation from all over the United States and even other countries. Students have ranged from kindergarten age children to 99 years young. ASGM students have taken the knowledge obtained during their years at ASGM and used it to take back to their home, churches, and schools. Summers spent at ASGM have led to students finding careers in music education, church choir and music leaders, and some even as members of professional gospel groups. Faculty of our school have all grown up in southern gospel music and have taken career paths from what they grew up loving. Our director of instruction, Mr. Tom Powell, is the son of Rosa Nell Speer Powell of the Speer Family singers. Those working along side him are members of paid choirs, have obtained doctoral degrees in music education, teach high schoolers to find a love in the beauty of a song, and win DOVE awards.