Celebrating Latter-day Saint artists and music
Brigham Young University hosted the Faith-Centered Music Association Pearl Awards for the first time in July, with BYU faculty, students and former students receiving several top awards.
The virtuoso eclectic folk band Enoch Train, which includes Daron Bradford and Jay Lawrence from BYU’s School of Music faculty, accepted the award for Holiday Album of the Year, “O Come, Little Children,” produced by Clive Romney and the band and featuring the International Children’s Choir.
Guitarist and BYU instrumental folk music instructor Mark Geslison and his performing partner Geoff Groberg won a Pearl Award for their CD, “Emma’s Hymns,” which was voted Themed or Concept Album of the Year.
BYU-based Tantara Records claimed the Best Compilation Album award for its choral sampler, “Echoes of the Sabbath.”
BYU’s popular a cappella group Vocal Point had an especially big night, winning three awards centered around its current CD, “Standing Room Only”: Group Recording Artist of the Year, Best Sacred Recording for “Be Still My Soul” and Performing Artist of the Year.
Recent BYU media music graduate April Meservy won Studio Vocalist of the Year, and current media music student Mindy Gledhill claimed two awards, New Recording Artist of the Year and Best Inspirational Album, for her debut, “The Sum of all Grace,” on Lumen Records.
