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By Carolyn Arends
My cohort Spencer Capier and I caught the 6:30 am flight out of Abbotsford, and
landed in Calgary around 8:30 am October 23. We were about to have the
privilege of participating in the Gospel Music Association of Canada’s Covenant Awards event.
After a quick breakfast, I ran over to the GMA conference venue to present an
hour on songwriting – one of my favourite subjects (even though, as the famous quote goes, “talking about music is like dancing about architecture”).
I was expecting maybe a dozen or so folks, and had more like 40 – which had Spencer scurrying back to the hotel on my behalf, to make more copies
of my hand-outs. I talked fast and long, but my class stayed with me; and it was encouraging to
see so many artists taking their craft seriously and passionately.
The conference was held at the headquarters of Samaritan’s Purse, which was a stroke of genius: firstly because of location (directly
across the street from the Airport Sandman, where most participants stayed);
and secondly because of emphasis – each day of the conference featured a different NGO or missional organization.
Very cool.
After my songwriting class, it was off to First Alliance in Calgary to prepare
for the awards show itself. I was co-hosting the evening with Arlen Salte
(recording artist, worship leader and the brilliant mind behind Break Forth
Canada).
Arlen and I had received the meat and potatoes of the script from GMA president
Martin Smith earlier in the week; but it was up to us to add the appropriate
level of ‘awkward banter’ that has become de rigueur at awards shows. We had a couple of hours to get to know each other better, and
riff in a few directions.
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We ended up with Arlen’s spirited campaign to get a ‘Norwegian Album of the Year’ category added to the GMA slate. After all, Brian Doerksen always wins for ‘Mennonite of the Year,’ right? I had suspected things might go in this direction. The trophy Arlen
eventually received for ‘Norwegian Artist of the Year’ looked strikingly like my son’s 2004 T-ball trophy. The show itself was a terrific celebration of the strength and diversity of
Canadian Christian artists. Highlight performances included Winnipeg’s Fresh I.E., with Jon Buller adding his trademark energy to the band; and
Saskatchewan’s family group, The Hunters.
Pianist Mike Janzen brought the house down with an extended instrumental number,
with the help of Jacob Moon and the excellent house band. Arlen and I noted
that Mike’s success was due largely to the fact that “Mennonites are known for their funkiness.”
Canadian rockers downhere cleaned up at the show, winning nine of their 11
nominations. They really turned heads when lead signer Marc Martel stunned the
crowd with an operatic performance of ‘Nessun Dorma,’ accompanied by a Salvation Army brass band. It was brilliant.
I had the opportunity to perform ‘I Am a Soul’ from my new disc, with Spencer and the aforementioned stellar house band. And
then I particularly enjoyed leading all the artists in a simple refrain of “I could sing of your love forever” – a song of thanks to the God who thought up both music and community, and invites
us to take part in both.
Carolyn Arends is a bestselling Christian musician based in Vancouver. Her music
is available through Signpost Music (signpostmusic.com).
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