In anticipation of the upcoming 33rd Chicago Gospel Music Festival June 1-2, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) recented announced the ChicagoMade Gospel Music Artists & Repertoire (A&R) Auditions on Saturday, March 10, 6–9 p.m., at the Westpoint Missionary Baptist Church (3566 S. Cottage Grove). Emerging, Chicago-based gospel music artists will perform live for an audience including a panel of major and independent music label and entertainment industry executives.
The ChicagoMade Gospel Music A&R Audition is part of the free 2018 DCASE Professional Development Series that includes a Fall A&R Audition for all music genres, as well as workshops, panel discussions, conferences and more. The program aims to support Chicago’s creative community and directly connect emerging artists to the City of Chicago’s most visible festivals, events and cultural programming.
DCASE is now accepting applications from soloists and groups in the gospel music and contemporary Christian music genres interested in an audition spot on March 10. Selected artists will earn an opportunity to perform live for an audience including a panel of major music and marketing executives. Additionally, participants will be considered for a set at this year’s Chicago Gospel Music Festival. The public is invited to enjoy the FREE performances of the hottest new music and cheer on their favorite local artists. The application and guideline information is available at chicagogospelmusicfestival.us. All artists and bands must submit an application by Friday, February 16, to be considered. Absolutely no walk-up auditions will be allowed.
Celebrating the music style’s deep Chicago roots with traditional choirs and contemporary urban gospel music, the 33rd Chicago Gospel Music Festival features local and national artists on June 1–2 in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) and the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.). For complete details on the free admission festival, visit chicagogospelmusicfestival.us, like us on Facebook at Chicago Gospel Music Festival or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ChicagoDCASE (#ChiGospelMusic).
2018 Professional Development Series
The A&R Auditions performance is part of a series of free professional development opportunities offered by DCASE this year. A full schedule of programs and events is available at cityofchicago.org/dcase or visit this link for DCASE Professional Opportunities.
Other upcoming music-related events in the series include the Chicago House Music Festival Conference, May 24–25 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Preceding the Chicago House Music Festival in Millennium Park on Saturday, May 26, the conference will present workshops and panels related to the artistry, business and culture of house music, the musical form born in Chicago that has gone onto revolution dance music internationally. The schedule for the conference and festival will be announced this spring. For additional details, visit chicagohousemusicfestival.us.
On June 4, in partnership with Donda’s House, the Chicago Blues Festival will present Bridges to the Blues at the Chicago Cultural Center. Bridges to the Blues will showcase, young hip-hop artists performing original blues material for a chance to perform at the Chicago Blues Festival.
Additionally, a Fall ChicagoMade A&R Audition will be held in Chicago on Saturday, October 27, and is open to all music genres. Like the Gospel Music A&R Audition, local artists and bands will get the opportunity to showcase their work live in front of major label A&R executives. Both solo artists and bands are invited to apply FREE of charge. All artists and bands must submit an application to be considered. A committee of industry professionals will review all submissions based on the criteria below and will choose artists/bands to fill a very limited number of audition slots. Registration will begin in September
The Professional Development Series of opportunities are presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. For complete details on department opportunities, events and more, visit cityofchicago.org/dcase, like us on Facebook at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ChicagoDCASE (#ChicagoDCASE + #ChicagoMade).
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector,
independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.
