'Hear Me' Songwriting Contest
Source: MHCSA
UPDATED on 2 September 2009
NEW SONGWRITING CONTEST FOR MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
The Mental Health Coalition of South Australia, in conjunction with MusicSA, invite you to write a song about Mental Health and what it means to you. Songs about emotion are also welcome.
You could a range of promotional and performance opportunities!
There will be 2 categories in the 'Hear Me' Songwriting Contest, with a first and second prize in each section.
The categories are: ages 12 to 18 and 19 to 25.
The songs can be written by a person or group and we ask you to enter both the lyrics and the music in a recorded form or written down in sheet and chord format.
Winning Entry details will appear on the MHCSA website, and will also be announced on MusicSA.
Winning entries will be invited to perform at the Dr. Margaret Tobin Awards (SA's Premier Launch to Mental Health Week) and at other events on that week.
The entries will be recorded in 2010 and used for promotional material in MHW in 2010 and future MH events in the state of South Australia.
The judges for this competition will include:
Judges will provide written feedback on each entry.
The closing date has been extended to 23rd September.
For full details and conditions, please see the Application, which is available for download in the left column.
about the prizes
The prizes are hotting up for this contest, but you have to be in it to win it!
1st prize in each category.
· Recording by Northern Sound System
· Photographic shoot (by professional photographer, Lauren Smeaton)
· Feedback from Chris Finnen
· Graphic design layout for CD or other promotional material
· Various gigs during Mental Health Week (TBA)
· Featured profile on the MusicSA website
2nd prize in each category.
· Feedback from Chris Finnen
· Graphic layout and design
· 1 gig at a venue TBA
· $50 voucher to a music retailer
One of the prestigious judges includes legendary songwriter Chris Finnen, and the opportunity to get personal feedback from him is too good an opportunity to miss!
In regards to the joys of composition, Chris says:
"Writing both music and lyrics is a wonderful way to share your thoughts with the world. It can range from your deepest inner most philosophies to light hearted fun with words and tunes, but it has a great deal of worth, because you are the only one who can do it.
"You are the expert on yourself and as such the world can only be enriched by what you choose to give it. I have been lucky enough to have been composing and performing music for the last forty years and can honestly say it has given me great satisfaction challenges, achievements and opportunities to learn about life, people and the planet on which we live.
"To me it’s greatest purpose is in giving to others and bringing people together. A great universal language that breaks down all barriers."
The lucky first prize winners will also get a photo shoot with professional photographer Laura Smeaton, who is one of South Australia's up and coming photographers. Her work to date specializes in capturing the essence of youth culture and the music scene.
With over ten years of experience Lauren has photographed for youth theatre companies including Urban Myth Theatre for Youth, Restless Dance Theatre, Jumbuck Youth Theatre and independent dancers Daniel Daw and Sally Chance. She has photographed many local and national bands including ‘The Stampede’ and ‘Jackson Jackson’.
Her work has been featured in many exhibitions including her own, the very successful 'Paperdoll' - challenging identity, and her up and coming exhibition at the Exeter on Rundle Street in November called "boys don't cry" - revealing engaging portraits of young men and their hidden secrets and pub culture in South Australia. Some of her work can be viewed on line at http://www.redbubble.com/people/blueiris .
GET YOUR ENTRIES IN NOW!!
