Gospel Artist Walks Away With Teacher Of The Year Award

Cited as 2006 Maryland Teacher Of The Year

(Washington, D.C.) – Jeremiah Murphy is a new name to some now, but that won’t be the case for long. The D.C. area praise and worship leader and national recording artist has been receiving much love from radio for his moving ballad, “The Lord Is In This Place”. Penned by Murphy, the song, a musical declaration of God’s presence and an invitation of worship, is being sung at churches around the country. For the prolific songwriter, high school music teacher and ordained minister, it’s just a taste of what he believes he’s been gifted to do.

A native of Washington, D.C., Jeremiah Murphy learned to play the piano at the tender age of nine when a member of his church sat down and taught him the basics, after a prompting from the youngster. He also picked up songwriting and directing and ended up taking on the role as the gospel choir director at his high school. He honed his skills in college at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he received his Bachelor of Music in Piano and his Masters of Music Teaching.

Currently, he’s a teacher at Largo High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., where he teaches vocal music and directs The Largo High School Choir. The choir has been honored to back some of the best in gospel including Richard Smallwood, Karen Clark Sheard, Tramaine Hawkins and Myrna Summers.

Excelling in his full-time profession, Murphy was recognized as the Teacher of the Year for the entire State Of Maryland for 2006. In addition to the award, he wins a $1,000 cash prize and $500 for supplies, equipment or enrichment programs at his school. Covered in the Washington Post, Murphy had this to say about the award: "I was totally caught off guard. It was a great moment."

Worship, his latest 19-track CD, is collage of praise and worship tunes that not only showcase the artist’s incredible songwriting ability, but his rare and mesmerizing bass voice. Listeners have been turning up the volume and singing along to the CD’s lead single, “The Lord Is In This Place”, in cities like Springfield, MA, Long Island, NY, Richmond, VA, Chicago, IL, and Dallas, TX.

“I knew that it was blessing me when it was coming to me while I was in Los Angeles for the Gospel Music Workshop of America”, says Murphy about the songwriting process. But he didn’t realize the power of the song until he rehearsed it with his group, Judah. “When I got to a piano and started working it out with Judah, we began to rejoice and bless the Lord in that house,” recounts the songwriter. Other fabulous cuts on the project include the CD’s rousing opener, “I Praise The Lord”, the traditional gospel tinged “Jesus Lifted Me”, led by former Richard Smallwood Singer and current Vision singer Carolene Hatchett and “Everything”, led by the artist himself.

He is no stranger to the gospel music industry and look at what others are saying about the ministry of Jeremiah Murphy:

"Jeremiah Murphy……a Ministry that has endured through every change. A voice like no other…..an anointing for such a time as this".
Bishop Sam Williams
CEO, NGE Consultants
Vice Chair, GAG GMWA

“Jeremiah is a Minstrel of a Maestro. He is humble and anointed and makes music ministry Majestic. I appreciate his anointing and gift.”
Stephen Hurd
Integrity Gospel Recording Artist

"Over the years the name Jeremiah Murphy has been synonymous with excellence and integrity. Now the time has come for the world to experience this awesome talent."
Pastor William Becton
Pastor, Recording Artist

"When I think of Jeremiah Murphy, I think of musical excellence coupled with the spirit of humility….wow, what an awesome combination for PURE ministry.”
Patrick Lundy
Meridian Music Group Recording Artist, Minister of Music

For more information about Jeremiah Murphy, contact:
EMA Music, Inc.
P. O. Box 91683
Washington, DC 20090-1683
202-575-1774
www.JeremiahMurphy.com
www.myspace.com/jeremiahmurphy1
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/JeremiahMurphy
EMAmusic@aol.com