Oshawa Music Awards Celebrates Music In Durham Region

Oshawa, ON. - Oshawa Music Awards is an annual ticketed event, recognizing the influence and achievements of local music creators, businesses, and music supporters within the city of Oshawa, the Durham region, and Canada. OMA was established in 2017 by Durham College students from the Music Business Management (MBM) program. This year a management team that include MBM Alumni Julius Rondilla and Thao Nghiem, along with Professor Tony Sutherland, Durham region music-aficionado Will McGuirk, and MBM students aim to transform OMA into a cultural enterprise. Notable past nominees include multi-platinum award-winning producer Jeff Dalziel, JUNO award- winning indie-pop group Dizzy, and former lead guitarist of The Guess Who, Dale Russell.

The event’s mission is to recognize and celebrate the development of local music talent and culture within the Durham region. Oshawa Music Awards aims to acknowledge key contributors that aid in the growth of the region’s music-business economy; providing a platform that highlights and nurtures its progression. OMA’s tagline is announced as "Oshawa Music Awards - Celebrates Music in Durham Region”.

This year, the awards’ will expand to include ten (10) categories.  Emerging Artist or Band of the Year, Single of The Year, Album of the Year, Best Artist or Band, Songwriter(s) of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Music Teacher of the Year, Durham Song of the Year, Industry Leader, and Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame inductee. The Submission and Nomination round starts today, December 1, 2019 until January 15, 2020. Information is available on the OMA website at oshawamusicawards.ca.

Two years ago, pioneers of the OMA, Julius Rondilla and Thao Nghiem, recognized the need for an awards event to enhance the students’ annual Oshawa Music Week festival.  “We realized that Canada’s music roots run through Oshawa and the Durham region.  The legacy continues.” says Rondilla.  Nghiem adds, “We are proud of the talent that exist in the Durham region. We are working hard to transform OMA into a cultural enterprise to fulfil the community’s expectations”.  

With a management team, advisory committees, and professional marketing initiatives, Oshawa Music Awards is set to celebrate music in the Durham region in 2020 and beyond.

For more information regarding media or partnership inquiry, please contact oshawamusicawards@gmail.com.

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