What is THE EVENT?

GMEA sponsors the annual Music Technology Student Showcase to foster the development of music technology programs in our state and encourage students to create music using digital tools. We do this by recognizing students who have created and produced exemplary music using digital instruments and tools, and their teachers who have provided outstanding instruction. The entries in this event must be submitted by the student’s music teacher who must hold current GMEA/NAfME membership. Entries will be divided into age categories consisting of elementary (K-5), middle school (grades 6-8), high school (grades 9-12), and university, including both undergraduate and graduate enrollment, and will be evaluated comparatively against only those entries falling within their classification. Entries will be evaluated on three criteria: Musical Content, Use of Technology, and Creativity and Craft. All entries will receive feedback from the evaluation committee. Top entries in each division and category will be recognized and have their works presented during the GMEA In-Service Conference in Athens.

SHOWCASE INFORMATION

DIGITAL COMPOSITION (INSTRUMENTAL)
Original compositions for any combination of electronic instruments produced using a digital audio workstation (DAW). Compositions should demonstrate skill in production through the use of a DAW. The composer/producer may use short audio recordings of instruments or voices as samples in the creation of the work, but may not be tracked (long segments of audio recording such as chorus vocals, or instrumental solos) as part of the composition. *Any works submitted in this category that contain recorded audio tracks will be moved to the Audio Production category. All musical content should be originally created or produced by the entrant using “Real Time” or “Step Entry” methods. Entries must be between a minimum of 1.5 minutes in length and no longer than 5 minutes. The entry must include a .mp3 or .wav audio file (160 kbps minimum) of the final mix.

AUDIO PRODUCTION
Original compositions for any combination of electronic instruments, acoustic instruments, and/or voices, produced using a digital audio workstation (DAW). Compositions may include software/MIDI tracks, but should also demonstrate skill in audio recording and production by including a minimum of one audio track of an acoustic instrument, voice, or electronic synthesizer. The composer/producer may use other musicians in the creation of the work, but must be primarily responsible for the recording of the track(s). All musical content should be originally created or produced by the entrant. Entries must be between a minimum of 1.5 minutes in length and no longer than 5 minutes. The entry must include a .mp3 or .wav audio file (160 kbps minimum) of the final mix.

REMIX OR DERIVATIVE WORK
Entrants will use a DAW to create a remix or arrangement of a pre-existing song using some combination of song samples, vocal stems, pre-recorded loops, and original material. Projects should demonstrate originality and creative use of technology and skills in mixing and production. The original source/creator of copyrighted materials must be credited and cited in the entry application. Entries must be a minimum of 1.5 minutes long and no longer than 5 minutes. The entry should include a .mp3 or .wav audio file of the final product (160 kbps minimum).

MULTI OR MIXED MEDIA
Entrants will create a product combining music technology with other forms of digital and/or electronic media such as video, photography, audio recording, coding or other media. Entries may not use copyrighted materials unless accompanied by documented consent from the copyright holder. Entries should demonstrate creativity and skill in the use and integration of various digital media and tools in the creation of an audio or visual product. Compositions or presentations must be a minimum of 1.5 minutes long and no longer than 5 minutes. The entry should include a compressed .zip file of the audio or video software used for final production and an audio or video file (.mp3, .wav, .mp4, .m4v) of the final product (160 kbps minimum).

INFORMATION

Application 
(On the “Applications and Forms” page in Opus)

In-Service Conference