Songwriter of the Year 2011: Schools Competition

The University of Auckland’s Songwriter of the Year event heads into its third year in 2011. This year, the Schools Competition awards will feature emerging young artists from secondary schools across the North Island.

The Songwriter of the Year Schools Competition Grand Final was held at the Kenneth Myers Centre Saturday 18 June 2011. Congratulations to all the finalists on a fantastic event.

“I was very impressed with all of the finalists. These young high school performers combine high levels of skill with strong musical conviction. I think everyone there would have been impressed by their dedication to their music” – Judges: Godfrey DeGrut, Darren Smith and Sam Collins

First Place Winners
Evean Hunt – Otahuhu College, Auckland
Emmeline Lee – Botany Downs Secondary College, Auckland
Second Place Winners
Petra Bullock – Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland
Ash Graham – Wellington High School, Wellington
Third Place Winners
Amiel Encomienda – Edgewater College, Auckland
Mitchell French – ACG Strathallan College, Auckland

Congratulations to winners Evean Hunt and Emmeline Lee. These talented young musicians will perform as guests at the Songwriter of the Year Grand Final, Maidment Theatre, 29 September 2011.

1st prize (two winners):

• The choice of a Professional Vocal Microphone valued at over $400 or Yamaha Audiogram6 USB mixer with Cubase AI4 software included, courtesy of MusicWorks.
• The opportunity to perform at the Grand Final of The University of Auckland’s Songwriter of the Year Competition at the Maidment Theatre on Thursday 29 September, 2011.
• A live studio interview on KiwiFM’s RadioWammo Breakfast show.
• Record a single at The University of Auckland’s sound studios, working with School of Music Popular Music staff and engineers.

2nd prize (two winners):

• The choice of a Professional Vocal Microphone valued at over $200 or Yamaha AudioGram3 USB mixer with Cubase AI4 software included courtesy of MusicWorks.

3rd prize (two winners):

• The choice of a set of Ashton HD70 headphones or $100 worth of Dean Markley Strings courtesy of MusicWorks.

Check out our past winners:
2010 winner – Massad
2010 winner– Jayme Fitzgerald
2009 winner– Shana Llorando
2009 winner– Papa Eden

The University of Auckland’s Songwriter of the Year competition has become a major feature of the local music scene and the University’s public events calendar.

The University of Auckland would like to thank all the entrants and secondary schools who participated in the competition; we had an overwhelming response from many talented young musicians and we look forward to hearing more in the 2012 competition.

Enquiries: songwriter@creative.auckland.ac.nz | 09 923 7707

Sponsored by: MusicWorks and KiwiFM