Saturday evening, 17 September 2016, proved to be a night mixed with emotions of excitement, anticipation, and gratitude as some of the best musicians in the world attended the Annual Utah Music Awards red carpet event held at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah.

Previous winners of the Utah Music Awards include artists such as Lindsey Sterling, Shaun Canon, and Nathan Osmond. Some winners have even gone on to collaborate with well-known artists in the music industry.

Entries for the 2016 competition had to be produced, released, exhibited, screened, aired or shown online between 31 January 2014 and the deadline. Each artist chose the category that best related to the type of genre submitted and paid a fee for each category entered. The entry of various achievements in a single category was permitted provided that they were for different programs. The award committee reserved the right to increase the number of nominees in any category. Each entry was evaluated on its intrinsic merits – not compared to others. Thus, each entry was in essence in competition with itself and measured by an award-winning international jury of experts using an industry-accepted standard of excellence. If the work submitted did not measure up to the level of excellence, the award committee reserved the right to decide not to have any nominees in a particular category. Submissions from past years were not eligible for this year’s competition.

Latter-day Saint Musicians is pleased to announce that three of our featured artists – Tyra Orgill and Sander Morrison (collectively known as Enliven), and Jason Lyle Black – were recipients of awards at this year’s event. Tyra and Sander won Best Artist Under 18 for their exceptional “Homeward Bound Medley.” The medley is a harmonious blend of two inspirational songs – “Homeward Bound” as written by Marta Keen and the LDS hymn “Come, Come Ye Saints.” With the help of their friend and mentor, Jason Lyle Black, Tyra and Sander created a musical story with a powerful message that although we may face struggles in life, there is still hope as we remain confident and reach for better things. The result of combining the two songs is something magnificent and beautiful.

Jason Lyle Black, the music producer for Enliven, was the recipient of Best New Age for the song “Celebration” from his magnificent album Piano Preludes – an extraordinary masterpiece that people of all ages will want to listen to many times over. On 18 September 2016, Jason posted the following comment on Facebook:

Last night was awesome. Thrilled to win Best New Age at the Utah Music Awards for “Celebration” from my new album, Piano Preludes! But what made the night even more exciting was that the incredible teenagers I’ve been working with – Tyra and Sander – won Best Artist Under 18.

I’ve had the honor of being the music producer for this dynamic duo, including on their winning song, “Homeward Bound Medley.” Congrats to them and to all of the nominees and winners last night! Go check out “Homeward Bound Medley” on YouTube if you haven’t yet, and be sure to download my album Piano Preludes!!

On 17 September 2016, after winning the award, Sander commented on Facebook, “I am both very proud and very humbled that we won “Best Artist Under 18.” I am so grateful to my dear friend, Tyra Orgill, for asking me to play a part in helping achieve her musical goals. I am also so very grateful to my Heavenly Father for being the real writer of our music. The adventure is just beginning.” Tyra commented, “We won!! Sander and I are so thankful to our parents for producing this and really just making it happen, for Jason Lyle Black (in the middle) for helping us arrange our songs, and most importantly to our Heavenly Father for inspiring us with these songs.” Tyra’s mother, Claudia, and Sander’s father, Aaron, also expressed their joy and adoration for Tyra and Sander’s accomplishment.