Songwriters from around the world are invited to enter the 2019 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition to go in the running for a career-changing first-place cash prize of $50,000, courtesy of APRA AMCOS, Alberts and BMG.
Gold Coast singer-songwriter Amy Shark won the 2018 first-place prize with her song Adore, the breakthrough hit single that propelled her to a debut number one ARIA album with Love Monster, sold-out arena shows, and international television performances. “Adore connected with fans in a magical way and opened so many doors for me. Winning the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition was an incredible honour and helped me fund the next phase of my career,” said Shark.
While first place receives one of the world’s largest cash prizes awarded in a songwriting competition, the runners-up also receive cash awards, with a second place amount of $10,000 thanks to AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers Association) and third place receives $5000. Back again is the Unpublished category, which comes with $5000 cash prize for the winner. Brisbane’s Grace Shaw – also known as Mallrat – took home the inaugural honour in 2018 for her song Better.
Last year’s competition brought in an all-time high of 4056 entries from 3296 songwriters in 30 countries. And, in the decade since the first Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition was won by Megan Washington, songwriters have helped raise over $1 million to help fund the important work of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA). One hundred per cent of the $50 song entry fee goes to supporting NRMTA’s programs, which use music therapy to help children and adults cope with the struggles of living with a wide range of needs due to physical and intellectual disabilities, autism, trauma, illness, dementia, behaviour disorders and learning difficulties.
A judging panel of 64 influential artists, producers, media and music industry professionals has been confirmed, including award-winning songwriter Lior, previous Vanda & Young first-place winner Isabella Manfredi of The Preatures, triple j Unearthed’s Dave Ruby Howe, producer Franc Tetaz and more.
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