As a major component of the Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival, the Emerging Artist Contest is for amateur singer/songwriters hailing from within 100-miles of Norfolk. Budding singer/songwriters, often those who perform at open mics and local venues, on college campuses, in churches, on sidewalks, in schools, and/or in the privacy of their own homes, are invited to submit digitally recorded song sets containing two (2) original, non-commercialized, songs of their choosing and self-creation. All songwriting genres are permitted, but must be performed without the aid of any computer enhancements, synthesizers, or other instrumental or vocal accompaniment.
The contest begins with a 12-week long submission window (early December to mid-February), followed by a preliminary judging process to select ten (10) top semi-finalists.
The ten (10) semi-finalists will be invited to perform their two-song submissions in front of a devoted listening audience and panel of esteemed judges on Sunday, March 19 at Victorian Station in Hampton, Virginia where they will compete for the 2017 EAC #1 Winner’s slot. The overall Emerging Artist Contest winner will perform at the 2017 Sea Level Festival on Saturday, April 1st, at the Attucks Theatre in Norfolk, in addition to receiving exceptional prizes and opportunities to further promote his/her musical talents. Winners have received studio time, new acoustic guitars and media spots in the past. We are putting together and will announce the 2017 prize package soon. The contest committee promotes the talents of up and coming artists through this event to the larger community. We look forward to uncovering new talent and witnessing a 2017 contest that features some of the deep, untapped talent in our region.