History

The Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians was formed in February 1964 by a group of American Baptist choral directors and organists. Those present included, Jet Turner from First Baptist Church in Peoria, Kenneth Cober from ABC Educational Ministries in Valley Forge, Bill Robinson from First Baptist Church in Indianapolis and Roger and Wilma Wischmeier from First Baptist Church in Omaha.

From their desire to "Enrich your spiritual Life through Music and Worship", the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians was born.

The first conference was held in 1965 at the American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wisconsin.

From the experiences of those early conferences folks like Sam Hood and Jay Martin soon made the FABM an intergral part of their life and have enriched many more through their leadership.

In 1968 a Youth Section was added with twelve youth attending the first year. Today the Youth Section draws more then 120 Youth. As music in the church has expanded, so has the conference, with sections for Handbells, Children and Instrumental, along with the most recent addition, the Youth to Adult or Y2A group for those 18 to 25 year olds.

Throughout the years the conference has drawn the very best clinicians. Take a moment and peruse the Past Clinicians page.

For further insight into the founding of the FABM read the recently found "The First 20 Years: FABM History" written by Samuel Hood in 1985.

Today the conference draws 500 folks from across North America to the Green Lake Conference Center. Come Join Us!