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Graduates win top awards at Gospel Music Association conference

Recent graduate Setnick Sene performs at the GMA’s 2015 Immerse Conference, en route to being named Male Vocalist of the Year in its annual competition. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Crisler/Gospel Music Association.)

Two Liberty University graduates won top honors Wednesday, June 17, at the annual Immerse Conference reVIEWyou competition in Nashville, hosted by the Gospel Music Association. Setnick Sene (’15) won the Male Vocalist of the Year Award, and Roz Welch (’08) was named Female Artist/Writer of the Year.

Welch earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.

Sene graduated from Liberty in May with master’s degrees in Music and Worship and Worship Studies, both of which are offered through the School of Music.

“Setnick embodies his heart for the Lord in the full rich timbres of his voice rising to the top of his category,” said Dr. David Hahn, assistant professor of music and one of Sene’s former teachers. “He is respected by his peers at Liberty and at Immerse for his desire to glorify God with his life and his music. Setnick is a true Champion for Christ.”

Hahn, who attended the conference, said he was proud to see School of Music graduates representing well in the competition. Three former Liberty students made it to the top 10 in their chosen categories. There were more than 500 entries in this year’s competition.

Roz Welch’s performance at Immerse led to her selection as Female Artist/Writer of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Crisler/Gospel Music Association.)

“We are exceedingly proud of our LU finalists,” said Dr. Vernon Whaley, dean of Liberty’s School of Music. “From the very beginning, our goal has been to impact the music industry with students thoroughly equipped to as artists and song writers. We believe every church, every congregation, needs to raise up their own songwriters and artists for kingdom ministry.”

Immerse is a three-day conference for aspiring Christian artists, songwriters, and worship leaders in which top artists and music industry professionals help develop and encourage the next generation of Christian music leaders.

The reVIEWyou competition gives aspiring artists an avenue for personal critique of their craft and a shot at performing at the conference in front of music executives and producers. The top three finalists from each category (male vocalist, female vocalist, male artist/writer, female artist/writer, and songwriter) are selected to compete on the big stage in rotation with guest performers. The winners of each category receive a prize package designed to help them begin a career in music, including (for vocalists) meetings with a music publisher and a professional artist manager, a recording session, and more.

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