Gospel music lovers will have an opportunity to hear about 80 singers, plus a number of musicians and directors this Saturday at the Rome City Auditorium.

The Gospel International Workshop Choir will present its ninth annual concert beginning at 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Evangelist Gussie Knox of Calhoun, who is founder of the workshop choir, said singers from all across Northwest Georgia will participate.

The vocalists come from Rome, Calhoun, Summerville, Dallas and other communities in the area. Some sing in church choirs but others are not members of any organized musical group, she said.

Singers from outside the area will also be performing including recording artist the Rev. Jerry Bolton from Shubuta, Miss.; recording artists Kelvin and Kelly Rains from Franklin; the Spiritual Harmonizers from Anniston, Ala.; plus the Temple of Praise Mass Choir from Pulaski, Tenn.

Local groups include the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church Choir, “Blessed” from Rome, Rome Praise Dancers and “Chosen” from Cedartown.

The Rev. Walter Harris of Calhoun will be the master of ceremonies.

The concert will feature both traditional and contemporary gospel music.

Knox said support for the workshop each year comes from churches and businesses that purchase ads in the concert program and the Rome Area Council for the Arts.

She expressed thanks for all the support given the annual event and to the Rev. Gordon Wells, pastor of New Life of St. John, 419 Walter St., for hosting this year’s rehearsals.

This will be the fourth year the workshop choir has been held at the city auditorium. It was started at the New Hope Cathedral at 200 Nixon Ave. and then moved to the Christ Temple Rapture on M.L. King Jr. Boulevard and Chambers Street.

The event outgrew both places and was moved to the city auditorium.