Lismore calls creative young composers

The free competition, now in its ninth year, is open to Northern Rivers residents aged 12-25 years. Southern Cross University is a sponsor and will host the Finals Showcase on April 12.

Organising committee member Deb Hall from Social Futures said the competition was an incredible avenue for regional young songwriters to showcase their song writing and performing talents.

“There are fantastic prizes up for grabs aimed to help young musicians get a leg-up in their music career, including professional studio recording time,” Ms Hall said.

“Selected finalists also get the chance to perform to a live audience when they battle it out for prizes at the Finalist’s Showcase at Southern Cross University on Friday 12 April.”

Southern Cross University was excited to once again sponsor the annual Lismore Young Songwriters Competition.

“Southern Cross has been an active sponsor of this competition for many years and it is a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming songwriters in the Northern Rivers area to showcase their music to industry professionals and their local community,’ said music lecturer Dr Barry Hill.

Songwriters will have the opportunity to record their music in the new state-of-the-art Southern Cross University music studios, part of the Contemporary Music Program at the Lismore Campus.

“The prize winners will work with some of the best local studio producers to help take their music career to the next level,” Dr Hill said.

“The competition is a good opportunity for Southern Cross to engage with the massive creative arts community in the Northern Rivers and celebrate the contribution the arts make to the Lismore area.”

Committee member and president of the headspace Lismore Youth Advisory Group Lauren McKenzie said this year's organisers were eager to involve young people in planning the event.

“It has been a really positive experience working alongside organisations in Lismore to create this amazing event for young musicians,” Ms McKenzie said.

“We received feedback from finalists and other stakeholders in previous years who wanted to see more youth involvement in the overall process. So, this year we are working closely with the whole of the headspace Lismore Youth Advisory Group to ensure we are listening to and acting on the voices of young people.”

The Lismore Young Songwriters Competition is run in partnership by Social Futures, headspace Lismore, The Northern Rivers Conservatorium and Southern Cross University with thanks to grant funding from Lismore City Council.

Key dates

Entries close: Midnight on Monday 25 March, 2019. To enter, visit socialfutures.org.au/youngsongwriters or for more information email lismoresongcomp@gmail.com.

Finals Showcase: 6pm Friday April 12 2019 at Studio One29 D Block, Southern Cross University, Lismore campus.

Social media

Facebook: Lismore Young Songwriters

Instagram: @young_songwriters

Media enquiries: Amanda Shoebridge, Communications and Marketing Officer, Social Futures. T: 0428 242 675  E: amanda.shoebridge@socialfutures.org.au