Songwriter Serenade Competition

25/05/2024

We are supremely grateful for the time & consideration given by each of our four contest judges: Walt Wilkins, Susan Gibson, Josh Grider, and Phoebe Hunt . With their expertise and dedication, they accomplished the incredibly difficult task of determining the scoring of fifteen extraordinarily talented semifinalists and we are super impressed & grateful! And... what a performance we witnessed that same evening with 1st place winner, Spencer LaJoye, showcasing their astounding talents and opening for the judges show. The evening concert was over the top and as an added special touch, the judges invited up several Songwriter Serenade alumni to perform an original song! This was a perfect ending of a full day of live music before a very attentive audience! Bravo!!
Photos by:

25/05/2024

Mr. Ken Gaines, an exceptional 'Emcee'! This was Ken's 14th year hosting the event & every year it's seamless and gets better and better! Ken's insights and expertise made a significant impact, and we are grateful for his valuable contribution in keeping things moving throughout the long arduous day. Ken, thank you again for sharing your knowledge and making the Songwriter Serenade event a success, once again! kengaines.com 📸:

23/05/2024

We want to recognize the efforts of the Songwriter Serenade event co-chairs: Tom McDaniel, Mike Stroup, Rob McDonald & Jana Pochop. All four members are devoted in sharing a deep passion for original music and work hard to make the Songwriter Serenade weekend a memorable experience and a valuable stepping stone in the music careers of its songwriter participants. They collectively dedicated hours of listening to each entry and their collaboration resulted in a tremendously talented group of semifinalists for the triumphant 2024 seventeenth annual event held last weekend!

Tom McDaniel Rob Mcdonald Jana Pochop

21/05/2024

We would like to say a very special thank you to Robbyn Dodd for capturing all the memories of our Songwriter Serenade weekend, so dazzlingly. Many of the participants & audience members commented on how brilliantly friendly, professional, organized and hard working you were. We are excited to share the many artistic photos with everyone very soon and appreciate the time you & Coach put into the entire project! Bravo!! 📸RobbynDoddPhotography.com

21/05/2024

Thank you Ali Holder & Kim Svatek for your hard work throughout the Songwriter Serenade weekend. You go above & beyond and your jobs are extremely important to the success of the event!! Your promotion, support & attention to detail exceeded our expectations & we cannot thank you enough!
Ali Holder Kim Svatek

20/05/2024

We want to extend our deepest gratitude for the generous support and sponsorship by these fine folks. Their commitment to our cause and their contributions made a significant impact on the success of this year's event. A special 'thank you' to the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce for the set up and the use of the stage for last weekends event. Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce Majek Vineyard & Winery The Bugle Boy Olive View Ranch LLC

19/05/2024

Accolades to the best sound crew ever! From start to finish they competently took care of this most important job of sound and live streaming throughout the contest and evening concert. Rod, John, Rob & Clint approached things in such an artful way & we know it's not merely "engineering"; it's an art form. Job well done! Robbyn Dodd Photography
Rod Mueller

18/05/2024

And our gratitude continues... These fabulous humans provided the tastiest of tasty eats at Songwriter Serenade, throughout the day & into the long evening!!! Thank you and crew!! Tina Wilkins SandilandBaking.com

17/05/2024

We have so many people to thank, but we will start with this amazing group!!Thank you SO much for our volunteers, in helping make the 2024 Songwriter Serenade weekend the best ever!! Even though you are not in the spotlight, you are the backbone of every event. Please know that we could not do this without your hard work. We are forever thankful for the commitment and dedication you have given. And...George & Alice Clarke, thank you SO much for leading the group and for handling the multiple details before, during & after the big Songwriter Serenade event. 📸by

16/05/2024

We are still reveling in the richness of last weekend's Songwriter Serenade and the incredible music and joy experienced by all. We extend our deepest gratitude for your support of the 17th Annual Songwriter Serenade. The hard work and enthusiasm of all involved made this year's event our most memorable yet. It takes a village to do all the things needed to make the Songwriter Serenade weekend special for our songwriters and audience and our village was working on all cylinders.

A special thanks to everyone who volunteered and to the Schulenburg St. John Church for making their beautiful facility available to us.

As part of our Songwriter Serenade family, your continued support means the world to us. We are looking forward to 2025 and hope you will stay with us to create another “epic” Songwriter Serenade.

Warmly, Ali Holder: Director of Marketing and Event Co Chairs:
Tom McDaniel, Michael Stroup, Rob McDonald, and Jana Pochop 📸 by

11/05/2024

The winner of the contest will be the opening act for the Judges Concert, a performance by the event judges. A great way to end the evening.

11/05/2024

Congrats to our 2024 winner Spencer LaJoye and all of our finalists and semifinalists! Thank you to everyone who came out to witness the magic. We’ll see you tonight back in the same place at 7pm for our judge's evening concert featuring Susan Gibson, Walt Wilkins, Phoebe Hunt and Josh Grider.

11/05/2024

Congrats to our semifinalists! Stay tuned for the finalist...

Gloria Anderson
Nathan Evans Fox
Spencer LaJoye
Mamie Lew
Olivia Ellen Lloyd
Jack McKeon Music
William Wallace

Stay tuned for the finalist!

11/05/2024

Seven finalists will be selected to perform one different original song for the judges and audience, followed by the Awards Ceremony & Prize Distributions.

11/05/2024

Sorry folks we got knocked off line! We apologize for the inconvenience. We're recording everything and will upload it as soon as we can! Thank you for your patience, we can't wait for you to see how talented all of these songwriters are.

Send a message to learn more

11/05/2024

We’re taking a short break! Tune back in here in a few. Thanks to everyone who is joining us via livestream!

11/05/2024

Fifteen artists will perform three songs each for our panel of judges.

08/05/2024

Come join us for a full day of live music. This Saturday, fifteen extremely talented musicians from across the US & Canada, will come together to present their original music and later that same evening, these four judges will preform in concert!

06/05/2024

Saving Country Music, thanks for joining us! We hope to see you next week at the Serenade which is being held on May 11th at St. John's Church Outdoor Pavilion (7026 FM 957, Schulenburg, TX)! The contest kicks off at 11am!

Freyburg Hall is about the perfect spot for an afternoon destination that is just far enough to get away from it all, but not too far where it's a tribulation to get there. In fact, the drive itself is a dream.

06/05/2024

CA crew is gearing up & the final 'prep' is near. Heading to TX for another spectacular weekend of live music, conviviality, some tasty eats and an all around good time!!! Come join us on Saturday, May 11th! Advance Tickets at: SongwriterSerenade.com

03/05/2024

Volunteer to have Fun- May 11!
Volunteers at Songwriter Serenade may have the best volunteer job in the world. From rubbing elbows with and listening to some of the best up-and-coming songwriters and musicians, taking in the beautiful natural scenery and fresh air of the venue at the Schulenburg St. John Church outdoor pavilion, and enjoying some good grub, it's all so cool, you'll brag about it to your friends! For more details please send a note to: [email protected]

03/05/2024

The lineup for Maifest tomorrow, we can't wait to see you there!

2:30- 4:00pm: The Czechaholics
4:30pm-5:30pm: Ali Holder / Katrina Cain / Daniel Neihoff Music (SS Finalists)
5:45- 6:45pm: Caitlin Cannon (SS 2023 Winner)
7:15 - 830pm: Walt Wilkins (SS Judge)
9:00 - 11:30: Southbound 955

TOMORROW is the day and We can’t wait to see Everyone!!!

Maifest 2024 at Freyburg Hall!!

All Ages Welcome- bring the whole family!
Get your tickets today!! --> https://bit.ly/maifest-2024

Keeping History alive with a special family friendly all day event featuring The Czechaholics & Southbound 955! Partnered with Songwriter Serenade Competition we are excited to host renowned judge Walt Wilkins, alongside 2023 winner Caitlin Cannon and finalists Ali Holder, Daniel Neihoff, and Katrina Cain! You won't want to miss this event!

All day fun & games!!! Here are a few details

Food onsite by Tom’s BBQ

Games & Activities for kids & kids at heart!

Photo Booth // Bounce House // Face painting
50/50 raffle // Co****le // Coloring Contest
Cake Walk with… Local Homemade Baked Goods

Bingo w/ Prizes:
Early Bird game starts at 12:30
Regular Bingo 1pm-2pm

Gates open at 12-noon
Live Music starts at 2:30pm

01/05/2024

Songwriter Serenade will be showcasing former finalists Ali Holder, Daniel Neihoff, Katrina Cain, 2023 winner Caitlin Cannon and our long time judge Walt Wilkins as part of Freyburg Hall’s MaiFest on May 4th. We hope this great line up will acquaint the attendees with the type of talent that will be competing at the May 11 Songwriter Serenade. Make it a double and attend both great events. songwriterserenade.com

26/04/2024

In conjunction with Maifest the Songwriter Serenade will be hosting a stage at the festival on May 4th. We'll be showcasing a past winner, 3 past finalists, and one of our famed judges!

The Songwriter Serenade Contest will be taking place on May 11th. Come join us this weekend at Maifest for a pre-party!

13/04/2024

May 11, 2024: GET YOUR TICKETS... Please join us and fill the house with an audience that loves to hear original music from the fifteen selected talented semifinalists who put their heart and soul into writing and performing their songs. Additionally, we are excited to have these four distinguished singer songwriters as our 2024 judges: Walt Wilkins, Susan Gibson, Phoebe Hunt and Josh Grider. And... the amazingly talented and witty Ken Gaines will once again host the event. The contest & the evening Judges concert will be held at the Schulenburg St John Church, located at 7026 FM 957, Schulenburg TX. The Church has an incredibly spacious outdoor covered pavilion that will host our music loving audience comfortably. We will have many tasty lunch/dinner options, cool beverages & wine and beer. Tickets for both events are now available online: Songwriterserenade.com

28/03/2024

Congratulations to our fifteen semifinalists chosen for the 17th annual Songwriter Serenade competition. The organizers of Songwriter Serenade have the highest respect and admiration for all the songwriters that entered the contest, and we applaud their passion to create original music.
Please join us on May 11th in Schulenburg, TX and help us fill the house with an audience that loves to hear original music from songwriters who put their heart and soul into writing and performing their songs. Tickets are available at: songwriterserenade.com


William Wallace Olivia Ellen Lloyd Juliet Lloyd Spencer LaJoye Dylan Tanner Hink Mick Fury Jason Erie Shawna Caspi Gloria Anderson Season Ammons Nathan Evans Fox Bud Bierhaus

26/03/2024

We're so excited to be a part of Maifest this year!

BIG NEWS!!! We're teaming up with the Songwriter Serenade Competition to bring y'all something extra special for ! Make your plans to join us May 4th. Artist announcements coming soon!

21/03/2024

Sunday (3/24) midnight is the deadline for entries into the May 11, 2024 contest. Put your music together and submit your entry soon! SongwriterSerenade.com