The Songwriting Prize
What is The Songwriting Prize?
Every year we host a nationwide songwriting competition, The Songwriting Prize, inviting songwriters, from all across Australia, to write and/or submit an original song in response to a mental health theme.
The Songwriting Prize judges shortlist eight songs from set groups to perform at a regional Semi Final. We have held regional Semi Finals in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, with the aim to expand to all states of Australia. The finalists, from across our Semi Finals, will then go on to perform at our Grand Final, with one winner taking out the coveted spot of The Songwriting Prize Overall Winner.
Over the years, we have seen thousands of musicians come through our songwriting competitions. Previous winners include Tempus Sun, Seb Mont, Leonie Kingdom, Velvet Bloom, NEAV and 2021’s winner; BOI.
For Songwriters
Over the past five years, thousands of songwriters have submitted their songs for the competition. The Songwriting Prize is the first competition in Australia with a mental health focus, so we encourage artists to be raw, vulnerable and write something to reflect each years’ theme.
We welcome songs from all genres and categories. Songs might be just lyrics, music, or both. We do not judge based on the quality of the recording, or the performance, but on the songwriting itself, and its relation to the theme.
The theme for the 2022 competition is “Feeling Better” and entries open on Monday 25th April 2022.
For Music Fans
After the preliminary round is completed each year, we invite you to attend one of our regional Semi Finals in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and/or Sydney, and also to our Grand Final, to show your support for emerging artists performing at their most vulnerable.
Each event will feature each shortlisted song, being performed live by the songwriter or another musician. Our events have been described as “supportive”, “spell-binding” and “healing”. Be prepared for a night of community building, togetherness and incredible music.
Where words fail, music speaks. -Hans Christian Andersen