Washington Area Music Association (WAMA)

June/July 1996

Seminars, Conferences, Workshops, Contests

Mid-Atlantic Songwriters Contest

Broadcast Music Inc., (BMI) and the Songwriters' Association of Washington (SAW) present the 13th Annual Mid-Atlantic Songwriters Contest. There is a total 10 songwriting categories. Twenty winners including a $1000 Grand Prize Winner and 1st & 2nd Place overall winners are selected. Prizes include cash awards, gift certificates for CD mastering at Omega Studios, memberships to TAXI, an independent product shopping vehicle, and subscriptions to Performing Songwriter. Past judges have included representatives from Warner Chappell Music, EMI, Sony Music, Polygram Music, Opryland Music and Sony Tree. Entry fees are $17 for the first entry $15 for each additional entry but discounts are available if you join SAW. There is no limit on the number of entries and they must be received by August 10, 1996. Additional rules and guidelines can be obtained by call 1-800-218-5996.

Pitch-A-Thon

The Songwriters' Association of Washington(SAW) will host a "Pitch-A-Thon" from noon to 4pm on Sunday June 30 at George Mason University Law School. Nashville publisher Harry Max Music's Liz Rose and Cynthia French will be on hand to listen to songs. The listening will take place in room 304 of the law center and participants are encouraged to arrive early to sign up their songs. Doors to room 304 will open at 11am. Costs are $10 per song for SAW members and $13 per song for non-members. There is a five song limit per person. The law center is located at 3401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA and is accessible from the Virginia Square Metro stop. Call 703-993-8000 for directions.

Northeast Performing Arts Conference

The Northeast Performing Arts Conference (NEPAC) will be held August 24-27 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, D.C. Join colleagues for networking and a chance to see a wide range of showcased talent. For more details call 413-545-0190 or fax 413-545-0132.

Cutting Edge

Cutting Edge Music Business Conference will take place August 21-25 in New Orleans at the Contemporary Arts Center. Meeting the new century challenge with knowledge and skill is the theme to this networking, educational and band showcasing event that is in its fourth year of operation. In addition to the usual conference events such as one-on-one mentoring and trade show grab bag, Cutting Edge puts together a compilation CD and inserts it in the bag. For deadlines and cost information contact Cutting Edge at http://www.satchmo.com/cuttingedge/ Phone Cutting Edge at 504-945-1800.

Reno Revival

The 2nd Annual Reno Revival takes place October 10 through 13, 1996 at Hermitage Landing Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. The focus of this weekend is the Don Wayne Reno style of banjo playing, adaptations and innovations on the banjo. Workshops will include instruction on tablature writing and reading. Players teaching the workshops will include Don Wayne Reno, Eddie Adcock, Charlie Cushman and Alvin Breeden. All levels of expertise are welcome from beginner to advance, amateur to professional. Costs are $275 and include all instruction, activities, meals and social hours. Guests can join in at meals only for $75. Call Lori Reno at 615-889-4197 for more information.

New Voices

New Voices, New Visions announces a call for entries for digital works created for "performance" on the computer. Entries should explore the potential of the computer medium. Disciplines include animation, film making, music, writing and photography. Deadline is June 28. For information call 415-855-0780.

First Nighters

First Night Annapolis, a regional festival of performing arts held on New Year's Eve in Annapolis, Maryland, is searching for performing artists for this year's event. Professional performers from all disciplines are invited to apply. The event showcases local, regional and national artists and attracts as many as 20,000 attendees of all ages from throughout the mid-Altlantic region. All performers are paid. For information call 410-268-8553.

First Night Montgomery County is looking for artists to entertain at its second New Year's Eve celebration. Performances take place indoors in non-traditional spaces such as store fronts, banks and office buildings. All applications must include a VHS video tape or audio cassette/CD. Artists are selected based on appropriateness for a family audience, artistic merit, technical requirements (the simpler and more self contained the better), balance with other selected programming and affordability. To discuss an idea or obtain an application form call 301-217-6861. Deadline for entry is July 1, 1996.

Grants From DC

The D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities is currently accepting grant applications for the fiscal year 1997. Individual applicants must be District of Columbia residents. Interested non-profit arts and community organizations must be located in the District. Contact 202-724-5613 for application and deadline information.

Resources:

New Microsoft products such as Windows '95 and FoxPro are now available for free to qualifying nonprofits through Gifts In Kind America. For information call 703-836-2121.

Harford Community College's WHFC-91FM in Belair Maryland is currently playing both national and regional artists on on its Crossroad program. Area artists in rotation span from the Emptys rock/pop sound to Susan Graham White folk tunes, alternative rock from emmet swimming plus Deeme Katson and more. The Crossroad is on the air Monday to Friday from Noon to 6 p.m. Send your press kits to John Fahres Crossroad Program Director, Harford Community College 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21015-1698 410-836-4151. Station manager and music director John Davlin can be reached at the same address.

Area bands/musicians looking for exposure in the Arlington Virginia area should send raw video footage to Teo Graca for his new television show. Teo can be contacted at 703-685-0199 ext.1.

New label GBM Records located in Baltimore Maryland is currently looking for songwriters and new artists. Submissions should be on cassette and mailed to GMB Records, Inc., P.O. Box 576, Randallstown, Md., 21133.

Publications

Orders are now being accepted for the 96/97 Mid- Atlantic Regional Jazz Directory. This is a handy tool for artists and managers looking for jazz performance opportunities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The cost is $7.50 for the directory, plus shipping. There are other such regional jazz directories that can aid with your booking efforts, contact 410-539-6656 for specifics.
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