“Discovery is the perfect description of our GMA Academy event. Because not only does our talent competition endeavor to discover the next generation of gospel music artists and songwriters, but anyone who participates in the educational seminars, particularly aspiring and independent artists and songwriters, will have the chance to discover their personal roadmap for a music or ministry career,” said John W. Styll, president of the GMA.
Styll points to evidence of the GMA Academy’s value and importance, the many artists who have performed and/or competed at past GMA Academy events including Stacie Orrico, Matthew West, Casting Crowns, BarlowGirl, Point of Grace, Michael W. Smith, David Phelps, Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, MercyMe’s Bart Millard and Nichole Nordeman.
Detailed registration information and hotel and transportation options for GMA Academy Regional Talent Competition and Seminar are available online at www.gospelmusic.org or by calling 615-242-0303. Entry into the talent competition requires advance registration and has a firm deadline of January 9, 2006. Registration for the seminar is available up until the first day of the event.
The GMA Academy Music City regional event will be held at First Baptist Church in downtown Nashville (108 Seventh Avenue) beginning on Friday, February 10 for two days of intensive training with specific tracks for songwriters and performers. Among the highlights of the Academy are:
- Key Note Opening Session – Registrants will start each day of the two-day seminar with inspirational and creative encouragement led by Songwriter/Artist/Author Michael Card. He will lead two morning sessions: “The Lost Language of Lament” and “True Worship Begins in the Wilderness.” In a career that spans 25 years, Card has recorded over 20 albums, authored or co-authored over 14 books, hosted two radio programs and written for a wide range of magazines. He has penned such favorites as “El Shaddai,” “Love Crucified Arose” and “Emmanuel,” and sold more than four million albums.
- Artists-In-Residence – Reunion Records’ Joy Williams and INO Records’ Anthony Evans will be this year’s Artists-in-Residence. They will be on-site to host the popular Artist Teaching Concerts. This is a chance for an intimate look at the artists’ career, songs and the inspiration behind their ministry. The artists will also host the Artist and Song competitions during the event.
- Seminars – Taught by music industry professionals and successful independent artists, the seminar classes and feedback sessions are designed to help refine and define your craft and improve artistic and writing skills. Seminars apply to all styles of Christian and gospel music.
- Feedback Sessions – This is a unique opportunity to have songs and demos heard by qualified professionals and gain valuable feedback with personalized song or demo critiques.
- Artist & Song of 2006 – GMA’s official talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters will feature all styles and genres of gospel music including: pop, rock, rap, worship, southern gospel, urban gospel, Latin and hip hop!
- Networking – GMA Academy offers an invaluable chance to connect with other independent artists, share ideas and encourage each other.
One of the main attractions of the GMA Academy is the Artist 2006 and Song of 2006, GMA’s official talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters that happens during the weekend event. Artist and Song winners will be chosen from submitted entries in various genres and categories with finalists chosen to perform at a closing night concert at the Academy. Regional winners from the competition will be chosen to advance to the semifinal round of the National Artist and Song of 2006 Competition held in Estes Park, Colorado in August 2006.
