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The OMAs (Oshawa Music Awards) is an annual award show that began in 2018. The OMAs recognizes the influence and achievements of local music creators, businesses, and music supporters that help to grow the music scene within the Durham Region, Canada, and globally.
Photo: Lindsay Schoolcraft, 2022 Artist of the Year Recipient (Credit: Mikki Simeunovich/OMA)
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The 2023 OMAs will feature 11 award categories: Emerging Artist or Band, Artist or Band, Album, Record, Songwriter(s), Music Teacher(s), Music Video, Song, Music Producer(s), Music Industry Leader, and Lifetime Achievement/OMA Hall of Fame 2023 Inductee(s).
Photo: Wednesday, 2022 Lifetime Achievement/Hall of Fame Recipient (Credit: Mikki Simeunovich/OMA)
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Select an award category to learn more about each below.
The Artist or Band of the Year award - Fans' Choice is presented to an artist or band, born and or residing in the Durham Region, in any genre, that has achieved substantial recognition and success within the eligibility period. The artist or band has positively contributed to the Durham Region's music community at large and helped to put the Durham Region on the map.
Eligibility
The eligibility period is January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023. The artist or band members (majority of members) are born and or reside in the Durham Region. The artist or band is actively participating in the music industry by releasing material, promoting their brand, and achieving public consumption.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.The recipients of this category will be determined in two distinct steps:
1. The top ten nominees will be determined by a panel of judges along with the consumption data and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
2. The award recipient will be determined by public voting which will start on August 1 and will end on August 31.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
ROUND 1: JUDGES ADJUDICATION AND CONSUMPTION DATA
Judges Adjudication 80% including:
1. Artistic Merit & Originality 20%
2. Live or Virtual Performances 20%
3. Production & Engineering Quality 10%
4. Industry Affirmation (awards, achievement, signed, etc.) 20%
5. Consumption data 20%
6. Evidence/Measurement of artistic and or commercial growth (success story, journey) 10%
ROUND 2: PUBLIC VOTING
The public will be able to vote through our award submission portal at theomas.awardstage.com
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Emerging Artist or Band of the Year - Fans' Choice award is presented to an artist or band, born and or residing in the Durham Region, in any genre, that released a debut single, EP or album, and actively promoted their music during the eligibility period.
Eligibility
The eligibility period is January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023. The artist and or (majority of) band members are born and or reside in the Durham region. The recording under consideration can be a single, EP or album. The recording must be the artist or band’s first release and is released for public consumption within the eligibility period.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The recipients of this category will be determined in two distinct steps:
1. The top ten nominees will be determined by a panel of judges along with the consumption data and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
2. The award recipient will be determined by public voting which will start on August 1 and will end on August 31.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
ROUND 1: JUDGES ADJUDICATION AND CONSUMPTION DATA
Judges Adjudication 80% including:
1. Artistic Merit & Originality 25%
2. Live or Virtual Performances 20%
3. Production & Engineering Quality 10%
4. Industry Affirmation (awards, achievement, signed, etc.) 25%
Consumption data 20%
ROUND 2: PUBLIC VOTING
The public will be able to vote through our award submission portal at theomas.awardstage.com
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Record of the Year award is presented to an artist or band, born and or residing in the Durham Region, in any genre, for the artistic and commercial impact of a recorded single. The record is released within the eligibility period.
Eligibility
The eligibility period is January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023. The artist or band members (majority of members) are born and or reside in the Durham Region. The recording under consideration must be a single.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The top five nominees will be determined by a panel of judges along with the consumption data and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
Judges Adjudication 50% including:
1. Music and Lyrics (Artistic Merit & Originality, coherence, catchiness/hook) 20%
2. Production & Engineering Quality 20%
3. Live or Virtual Performances & Presence in Durham Region 10%
Consumption data 50%
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Album of the Year is awarded to a recording artist or band, born and or residing in the Durham Region, in any genre, for an album (minimum of 6 tracks). An album is defined as a collection of individual recordings, made available as a single item.
Eligibility
The eligibility period is January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023.
The artist and or (majority of) band members are born and or reside in the Durham Region. An album is considered released on the first available date that the material can be mass consumed via a purchase in its entirety and/or streamed legally in its entirety by a royalty generating service.
The album must contain a minimum of six (6) tracks. 50% of the tracks must have been released during the current eligibility period, having never appeared on a previous album.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The top five nominees will be determined by a panel of judges along with the consumption data and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
Judges Adjudication 50% including:
1. Music and Lyrics (Artistic Merit & Originality, coherence, catchiness/hook) 30%
2. Production & Engineering Quality 10%
3. Live or Virtual Performances & Presence in Durham Region 10%
Consumption data 50%
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Songwriter of the Year award is presented to a Songwriter or a team of Songwriters born and or residing in the Durham region, of any genre, for a single composition or a body of work. The award recognizes a single song or a maximum of three songs that represents the Songwriter’s body of work. Songs do not have to contain lyrics.
Eligibility
The eligibility period of the copyright is January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023.
Copyright owners can submit up to THREE (3) songs as a representation of the creative success of the songwriter’s body of work.
For collaborations, the principal songwriter(s) is born or reside in the Durham Region. The song/songs under consideration must be copy-written between January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The top five nominees will be determined by a panel of judges and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
1. Artistic Merit & Originality 40%
2. Songwriting Body of Work 20%
4. Industry Affirmation (awards, achievement, signed, collaboration, etc.) 20%
5. Evidence/Measurement of artistic and or commercial growth (success story, journey) 20%
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
Song of the Year is presented to a Songwriter or a team of Songwriters (who are born and or reside in the Durham Region) for a current and or original composition of any genre.
This award is based on an individual, original song.
Eligibility
The eligibility period of the copyright is January 1, 2022 through to June 15, 2023. Songwriter or Team of Songwriters reside in the Durham region. For collaborations, the principal songwriter(s) is born or reside in the Durham Region. Submissions must be original compositions.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The top five nominees will be determined by a panel of judges and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
1. Introduction 5%
2. Verses 5%
3. Chorus 10%
4. Build 5%
5. Hook 5%
6. Bridge 5%
7. Groove 5%
8. Melody 5%
9. Development of theme 25%
10. Overall impact 10%
11. Singing ability on recordings 10%
12. Originality 10%
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Music Video of the Year award is presented for an original music video. The recording artist or band, the director are born and or reside in the Durham region. The video can be any genre and is released for public consumption through established video outlets. The music video is the authorized video for a recorded single or track.
Eligibility
The eligibility period is January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023.
YouTube will be used as a primary source for verification.
Two of the following three elements must apply:
1. Recording artist or Band are born and or reside in the Durham Region.
2. The Video Director (and or production team) are born and or reside in the Durham Region. In this case, the video supports music from an artist or song that originates outside the Durham region.
3. The video is shot in the Durham region. Where an artist or band or the video director does not reside in or originate from the Durham Region, consideration will be given to the entity that resides in or originates from the Durham Region.
The award is for an original music video that is not more than 10 minutes in length, featuring the performance of not more than one song.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The top five nominees will be determined by a panel of judges along with the consumption data and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
Judges Adjudication 90% including:
1. Storyline 20%
2. Edits 20%
3. Originality 20%
4. Sound Quality 10%
5. Cinematography 20%
Consumption data (YouTube views) 10%
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Music Teacher of the Year – individual or collaboration - award goes to a music educator for leadership in music education (including, instrument, theory, business, and practicum).
Eligibility
The teacher resides and or teaches in Durham Region for the eligibility period: January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023. Individual work or collaborations are considered for a specific music education discipline. The award is not given to a collective-institutionalized program, organization, or company.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The recipient will be determined by a panel of judges and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
Judges Adjudication 100% on Music Education Leadership including:
- Quantity and Quality of the recommendations
- Discipline(s) taught
- Type of involvement with students and community
- Accomplishments
- Number and or Quality of Tributes
Supporting materials should include:
1. Biography
2. Letters of Recommendation
3. Tributes
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Music Producer of the Year award is presented to an individual or a team of co-producers involved in the development, the recording, and mixing of a recorded -music project. The recorded music project can be a single, EP or album that is released commercially, within the eligibility period, and the individual or production team are credited as producers.
Eligibility
The eligibility period is January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2023.
Sole individual: must be born and or reside in the Durham Region.
A team of co-Producers: 50% of members or majority of members must be born or reside in the Durham Region.
Up to three completed recordings can be submitted for adjudication with the producer or team of co-producers contributing to at least 50% of the work.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, a public callout for submissions will be made. Any submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements for their respective award category will not be considered.
Submissions will close on June 15. All submissions will be screened to ensure that each submission meets all the requirements for its respective award category.
The top five nominees will be determined by a panel of judges and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
Judging Criteria
Judges adjudication 100% based on the quality of the final product as determined by:
- Professionalism
- Authenticity
- Artistic excellence
- Music coherence
- Originality in music and lyrics
- Creativity
- Vision and execution
- Overall quality of the final product (Sounds, Songs, performances, gear, team)
- Commercial potential or success (within the genre)
How to Apply
This award category is available for public submission from May 15 - June 15, 2023. Visit theomas.awardstage.com or click on the button below to access our award submission portal.
The Music Industry Leader Award goes to an individual or team of individuals who reside or work in the Durham Region. The individual(s) are recognized for their impact, through work and inspiration, in the Durham Music community that helps to strengthen and elevate the music community, and music commerce.
Eligibility
A committee will meet to recommend candidates who reside or were born in the Durham Region. The panel will discuss and determine the recipient based on the following. The individual (s) are recognized for their impact, through work and inspiration, in the Durham Music community that helps to strengthen and elevate the music community, and music commerce.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, the public can send suggestions for recipients of this award category. Public suggestions will close on June 15.
The recipient will be determined by a committee and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
How to Submit
If you have suggestions of an individual or team of individuals who may be qualified, click on the button below to fill out our online submission form.
The Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award goes to an individual that resides or resided, works or worked in the Durham Region and made a substantial and prolonged impact on the music community. The impact helped to develop and strengthen the Durham Region music community.
Eligibility
A committee will meet to recommend candidates who reside or were born in the Durham Region.
The panel will discuss and determine the recipient based on the following:
Individual(s) made a substantial and prolonged impact for at least ten (10) years on the music community. The impact helped to develop and strengthen the Durham Region music community.
Order of Events
Between May 15 and June 15, the public can send suggestions for recipients of this award category. Public suggestions will close on June 15.
The recipient will be determined by a committee and will be posted on the OMA website on August 1.
The recipient for this award will be announced during The OMAs show in October.
How to Submit
If you have suggestions of an individual who may be qualified, click on the button below to fill out our online submission form.
Simon Gill
Invest Durham
Neil Joshi & Kathy Savas
Royal Bank of Canada
Melissa Nowakowski & Kristina Svana
Spark Centre
Linda Flynn
Durham College
Travis Dutka
360insights
Email us to learn about all the sponsorship opportunities.
Let's Get InvolvedWe're here to help. Email us at oshawamusicawards@gmail.com and a team member will get back to you as soon as possible!
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