NZAMP co-sponsors University of Auckland’s Songwriter of the Year 2012

By | News

The University of Auckland’s Songwriter of the Year is a prestigious award for current University of Auckland students studying popular music and for emerging songwriters from secondary schools across the North Island.

Popular Music student Sam Springett is The University of Auckland 2012 Songwriter of the Year.

 

Sam was judged the best amongst the six talented finalists at the Grand Final concert, held at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre on 20 September.

His title win also includes a swag of prizes courtesy of MusicWorks, Roundhead Studios, Kog Studio, Amstore, the New Zealand Association of Music Producers (NZAMP) and KiwiFM.

“To win when I was up against so many talented musicians was amazing. I was nervous but tried hard just to enjoy the experience. I’m so stoked. Couldn’t have done it without the support from my lecturers and friends”, says 18 year-old Sam, who grew up in Nelson, and only shifted to Auckland last year.

In addition to original performances by the six finalists, the concert also featured guest appearances by the winners of the Songwriter of the Year: Schools Competition, which was held earlier this year. Talented young musicians Petra Bullock (Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland) and Evan Sinton and Hamish Jackson, performing as Intone (Glendowie College, Auckland) each performed a set of their original songs.

 

Earl Ho wins the University of Auckland’s Songwriter of the Year 2011

By | News

The Songwriter of the Year 2011 is Earl Ho, who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Music conjoint degree at the University. His original song and performance were judged the best amongst those of the six talented finalists at the Grand Final concert, held at the Maidment Theatre on 29 September.

Earl was also awarded some great prizes courtesy of MusicWorks, KiwiFM, the New Zealand Association of Music Producers (NZAMP) and Roundhead Studios.

“The final was such a fantastic night, with so much talent on show… I’m really stoked about the win and it will be a memory that I will cherish till the end of time”, he said.

As well as the performances of the six finalists, the concert also featured guest performances from the winners of the Songwriter of the Year: Schools Competition held in June this year. Talented young musicians Evean Hunt (Otahuhu College, Auckland) and Emmeline Lee (Botany Downs Secondary College, Auckland) each performed a set of their original songs.

Congratulations to Earl and the other finalists

Earl Ho
Sam Allen
Samantha Jones
Larrisa King
Phil Kim
Callum Martin