Whether it’s a big-name award show like the Grammys or the iHeart Music Awards, a music awards ceremony is a chance for artists to celebrate their talent and creativity while connecting with fans. While music awards ceremonies have their own unique judging criteria for nominees and winners, they all share a common goal of honoring excellence and shaping the popular musical landscape.
However, just because an award is given to an artist does not necessarily mean the recognition will translate into greater sales of their music. Moreover, some music critics question the validity of awards that seem to reward artists who are successful for reasons other than their artistic merit. In addition to the glitz and glamour of these awards shows, they often feature a number of incredible performances by acclaimed musicians. From a jaw-dropping stage production to an intimate acoustic performance, these performances are designed to thrill and inspire.
For example, at the 2010 Grammys, Pink stunned viewers with her breath-taking performance of “Glitter in the Sky” while dangling from suspension rigging above a tank of water. Her stunt earned her a standing ovation from the audience and no doubt inspired many aspiring performers to push the boundaries of their craft to awe their fans.
In other instances, an award can have a more direct impact on the music itself. For instance, the Pulitzer Prize for Music has long been criticized for rewarding commercial success rather than artistic achievement. However, this perception has started to change in recent years as avant-garde jazz composers and performers such as Ornette Coleman and Henry Threadgill have won the prize. Moreover, the Pulitzer Prize for Music now includes recordings in addition to compositions, which is a clear indication that the prestigious prize seeks to recognize and reward artistic accomplishment, not popularity alone.
Another example of an awards show with a direct impact on the music itself is Stanford University’s Department of Music Awards. Each year, the Department of Music recognizes exemplary student compositions, performances and academic papers in Music with a prize based on nomination by department chairpersons. The award show is open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in courses with a MUSIC subject code.
In addition to major music awards, there are many other small and regional music awards shows that have been established throughout the world over the years. While some of these are still going strong, others have been discontinued or renamed after the organizations that produced them were acquired by larger companies.
While music awards can be influential in the careers of aspiring and seasoned musicians, they do not have the power to determine the popularity of a particular song or album. For this reason, it is important to understand the judging criteria and judging panel for each individual award to fully appreciate their significance in the industry. Having this knowledge will enable you to make more informed choices when it comes to submitting your own music for consideration for an award.