What is Spotlight?

The Spotlight Territorial Competition is a premier event designed to celebrate and showcase the artistic talents of individuals and groups across the Salvation Army Southern Territory. The competition will feature multiple categories, including vocal, brass, dance, theater, worship team, and more! Participants must first qualify through divisional level competitions held in the spring of 2027. Finalists will then advance to the Centennial Celebration in June 2027 in Atlanta, GA.

  • Georgia World Congress Center

    285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

  • Thursday, June 3, 2027

  • Active participants in a Salvation Army music or arts program within the USA Southern Territory aged 7-23 as of January 1, 2027.

    No one over the age of 23 by June 3, 2027.

General Guidelines

    • AMP - Contemporary music and praise

    • BLAST - Brass and percussion

    • FUSE - Dance, theater, and visual arts

    • KEY - Piano and keyboard

    • VOX - Vocal expression

  • All repertoire, scripts, choreography, visual art, and presentation elements must align with Salvation Army mission and values. All selections requiring approval must be approved by the participant’s Divisional Music or Creative Arts Director before the divisional deadline. Find all required repertoire for each category below.

  • Attire and costumes must be modest, safe, and appropriate for Christian ministry. Salvation Army uniform will be worn for soloists and ensembles where attire is not a part of the medium.

  • Participants and ensembles must compete in and qualify for the territorial Spotlight competition through their divisional process. Each division may send one winning entry per published category. Only divisional winner advance to the territorial Spotlight competition.

  • Qualified adjudicators will evaluate entries using category rubrics. The adjudicators’ decision is final. Receive adjudication and results graciously. Celebrate the work and progress of other participants.

  • Participants will be assigned a performance time and location. Arrive early and report to registration, warm-up, sound check, staging, and the performance location. Participants must be ready when called, even if a competition room is running behind schedule.

    • Discovery - Ages 7-10 (KEY and BLAST brass solo only)

    • Foundation - Ages 7-12

    • Artist - Up to age 17 (Younger performers may enter)

    • Virtuoso - Up to age 23 (Younger performers may enter)

    • Participants may provide their own accompanist.

    • Territorial Headquarters expects to provide an accompanist when a participant does not have one.

    • Brass band accompaniment is not permitted for BLAST brass solos.

  • Recorded accompaniment tracks are permitted for FUSE and AMP entries. All recorded audio tracks must be submitted in the required format by the May 21st deadline. Participants should bring a backup copy.

    • Only provided or pre-approved equipment may be used.

    • Props, equipment, choreography, staging, and movement must prioritize participant and audience safety.

    • Participants must follow room, stage, photography, sound-check, and backstage instructions provided by event staff.

  • Judging will consider the criteria appropriate to each category, including preparation, technique, artistry, communication, and ministry effectiveness. Written feedback and ratings will be provided whenever practical.

  • Yes!

    • Demonstrate courtesy, humility, encouragement, and respect toward fellow participants, adjudicators, volunteers, staff, venue personnel, and guests.

    • Respect the Georgia World Congress Center, instruments, technical equipment, dressing rooms, warm-up spaces, and all event property.