Gospel Star

Eligibility

1. The Maja Award Jamaica is open to:
   • Jamaican Citizens
   • Jamaican Residents
2. All artistes/performers entering the Maja Awards acknowledge and profess the Gospel as the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, the son of God (John 3:14-18, 1 John 4:2).
3. The Maja Awards are open to all novices, professionals and veteran Gospel artistes/performers. Employees of the Maja Awards are not eligible to enter or submit an entry to the Maja Awards.
4. Age Requirements for the Children & Young Performers:
   • Children Performers are recognized as persons not younger than 7 years old and a maximum of 15 years old prior to (and including) the deadline for Nominee Application (see application for deadline).
   • Young Performers are recognized as persons not younger than 16 years old and a maximum of 21 years old prior to (and including) the deadline for Nominee Application (see application for deadline).
   • If you are under the age of 16, you must obtain permission from your parent/guardian before entering.
5. There is NO age limitation for ADULTS (21 years and over) entering the Maja Awards.
6. Gospel Star nominations are for Non Recording ARTISTES ONLY. Individuals, Duets/Groups, Choirs or Children who have not recorded an album.

Categories

Gospel Star (for Non Recording Artistes)

1. Favourite Male
2. Favourite Female
3. Favourite Duet/Group
4. Favourite Choir
5. Favourite Children

Application & Submissions

7. There is NO registration fee to participate in the Maja Awards.
8. By submitting an application the Artiste/Performer agrees to abide by the rules of the Maja Organization and or its parent company, its Executives and the decisions of Judges. All artistes entering “Gospel Star” for Non-Recording Artistes must register for the Gospel Star Open Auditions. If you live within Ontario you must attend the Open Auditions. If you live outside of Ontario, submitting a demo will be sufficient as a substitute for your Open Audition. Those auditioning do not have to present demos.
9. Demo Procedure: when submitting a demo it must consist of 2 short songs no longer than 4 minutes for each song (the first song on your demo will carry the most weight during the evaluations of the judges) 3 copies of your demo must be clearly labelled with the artiste's name, the length of the songs and contact information.
10. All Gospel Star applicants will be asked to sing 1 song at the Gospel Star Open Audition (it is recommended that you have 2 songs prepared & they do not have to be original songs).
11. All recording or non-recording artistes must submit a valid and clear photograph of the individual, group or choir. Pictures and/or CD’s will not be returned.
12. Applicant must provide church affiliation including name of Church, name of Pastor, Church address, telephone number and e-mail address with application.

Maja Awards Definitions

The following are words which have been defined and will be used by the Maja Awards Organization for the purpose of the running the Awards Presentation.

Recording Artiste: one who has their own recording album, CD or tape released for commercial distribution through normal retail outlets or personal sales.

Non-Recording Artiste: one who has not recorded their own recording album, tape or CD for commercial distribution through normal retail outlets or personal sales.

Artiste/Performer: recognized as an individual or collective whom submits an entry to the Maja Awards & Canadian National Gospel Song Competition.

Soloist: a minimum and maximum of 1 individual

Vocalist: a person who sings

Duet: 2 individuals

Group: minimum 3 individuals; maximum 9 collective individuals

Choir: a minimum of 10 individuals who speak or sing collectively a given part of a musical composition.

Gospel: the message of the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, the son of God

Instrumentalist: a person who plays upon an instrument of music, without the assistance and use of a vocalist.

Child Performer: a person between the ages of 7 years of age and 15 years of age

Youth/Young Performer: a person between the ages of 16 years of age and 21 years of age

Evaluation

Gospel Star (Non-Recording) Nominees will be judged according to the following scheme:

Content
• Vocal Performance
• Artistic Creativity

Stage Presentation

Audience Response
• Online Votes
• Live Audience Votes