Michigan Chronicle
Aug. 20, 2022
Applications for Motown Museum’s Amplify the Sound of Detroit officially close on Friday, Sept. 2, at 9 p.m. Participants will take part in three months of artist development to win the title of ‘Amplify Sound of Detroit Artist of the Year’ and the grand prize, which includes $5,000, studio time, performance opportunities, and professional coaching from music industry executives.
Amplify the Sound of Detroit is a signature program of Hitsville NEXT – Motown Museum’s community platform where people can thrive as thinkers, creators, and entrepreneurs. In collaboration with Motown Records, this program seeks to nurture and provide growth opportunities for aspiring talent through master classes with music industry executives and legendary Motown Alumni, vocal coaching, live performance development, professional styling, media training, and more. Amplify the Sound of Detroit is open to solo vocalists and vocal groups from Metro Detroit ages 16+.
“Participating in this once in a lifetime program continues to be one of the greatest experiences of my artistic career,” said Travis James, 2021 Amplify Sound of Detroit Artist of the Year. “As the 2021 Amplify Artist of the Year, I was given the opportunity to perform on national stages, such as the Ford Fireworks and the Aretha, and engage with top music executives. The volume of exposure and continual mentorship through the Hitsville NEXT programs are invaluable. If you desire to be in the arts or perform at any level, Hitsville NEXT is where you need to be.”
Semi-finalists are asked to perform a classic Motown song and an original song and will be selected from the online audition entries by a panel of industry professional judges. The selected semi-finalists will be taken through a series of group and one-on-one workshops and coaching sessions led by leaders in the music industry, styling icons, producers, music directors, and vocal coaches – all leading to the finale round which will feature a live broadcast performance.
Selected semi-finalists will participate in artist development sessions approximately once per week, both virtually and in-person from September to December.
The final performance date will be announced at a later date.
Hitsville NEXT on the Motown Museum Campus
Berry Gordy Boulevard
2658 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit
Participants can apply by visiting: motownmuseum.org/program/amplify/
For more information on Motown Museum, visit http://www.motownmuseum.org.