UHMC Music Club to Hold Open Mic, Songwriting Contest

Singers, musicians, poetry “slammers,” magicians, stand-up comedians, actors, dancers, and hula and karaoke performers are invited to display their talents during the Open Mic night hosted by the Music Club on Wednesday, April 13.

Singers, musicians, poetry “slammers,” magicians, stand-up comedians, actors, dancers, and hula and karaoke performers are invited to display their talents during the Open Mic night hosted by the Music Club on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the University of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Multi-Purpose Room in the Pilina Building.

“So many open mic events are just for music, held late at night, and are not for family,” said Karyn Sarring, faculty advisor to the Music Club. “This is the fourth year that we’ve hosted open mics, where people come with their families. We wanted to showcase all the different talents in our community. Our music performance classes participate, including the Institute of Hawaiian Music students and guest performers, too!”

The Music Club, in conjunction with the Hawai‘i Songwriter’s Festival, will also hold a songwriting contest from 7 to 9 p.m. following the Open Mic. The winner of this contest will receive a scholarship to the 2016 Hawai‘i Songwriter’s Festiva on Hawai‘i island from June 16 to 18, 2016.

“The Hawai‘i Songwriter’s Festival brings internationally-known songwriters, recording artists, music publishers and music supervisors for TV shows and movies to Hawai‘i to help aspiring songwriters and recording artists make valuable contacts in the recording industry,” said Dr. Keola Donaghy, faculty coordinator of Music Studies at UHMC. “Many previous attendees of this event and its predecessor, the Kauai Music Festival, have had their music place in TV, movies and commercials, and received publishing contracts.”

Donaghy noted that the scholarship covers the cost of the event itself, but does not include travel, accommodations or any other expenses.

The Open Mic does not require registration; however, performers are expected to arrive early to sign up for a time slot.

Songwriters interested in competing for the scholarship to the Hawai‘i Songwriting Festival must be prepared to submit a copy of their original composition in advance and perform it between 7 and 8 p.m. on April 13.

Only 10 participants will be accepted in the songwriting contest.

Email [email protected] or call (808) 984-3570 for more information.

For more information about Music Studies at UH Maui College, go online.