Category Archives: Song and Tune Writing Awards

2019 Song and Tune Writing Awards Winners

Music, Singing, Song and Tune Writing Awards

Tassie Composers Hit the Right Notes at Awards Night

(Article from the Folk Federation’s Drumbeat magazine, December 2019)

Saturday November 2nd saw the Kunanyi Folk Club host the FFT’s Song & Tune Writing Awards Concert. The deadline for the Awards had been a month previous and the judges had been busily listening and cogitating. A last minute flurry of entrants from the Youth Songmaking Sessions meant that the Under 19s category was better represented than it had been in some years. All entrants to the Awards (as is always the case) were invited to perform at the concert. It was great to see the Under 19s performing in such an intimate venue. David Beniuk, a previous winner, current judge and also co-organiser of the Kunanyi Folk Club tells us more:
“Huon Valley singer/songwriter Anne Toner has taken out the prestigious Mike Silverwood Award at the Folk Federation of Tasmania’s 2019 Song and Tune Writing Awards.
Anne took out the top prize for her piano-driven, gospel-inspired composition Someday Soon. Performed with vocalist/guitarist Tiffany Eckhardt, the song of the year winner was among a host of highlights at this year’s awards.
The tune-writing award went to duo Yyan and Emily for their sophisticated and beautiful composition Brown Mountain.
But perhaps the most hotly contested category in 2019 was the under-19s award.
With a record number of entries in the youth category, the two prizes on offer were won by Alex Buktenica for Higher Ground, and Molly and Isaac for Falling.
To cap off a great night for the future of Tasmanian folk, the People’s Choice Award was won by another under-19 entry, Eve and Amelia for their astronomy-inspired song Kepler.
It was a fitting end to a night kicked off with the folk-rock rhythms and urgent lyrics of future stars The Unknown.
And after a host of stirring performances from this year’s entrants, the night was closed out with a set from internationally renowned North West blueswoman Chris O.
Prizemoney totalling $1000 was awarded across the four categories.
The songwriter of the year is each year awarded the prestigious Mike Silverwood Award, named after the legendary Deloraine accordionist when the competition was revived in 1996.
The awards night was hosted by the Kunanyi Folk Club, established in June this year in partnership with the FFT, for the first time.” — David Beniuk

The committee are very grateful to the organisers of the KFC for hosting the concert. We congratulate and thank all entrants for the time and talent they spent creating their entries. Once again the Peoples’ Choice category proved that the evening provided something for everyone with the voting being nicely spread across all entrants and categories.
The Song & Tune Writing Awards are an annual event open to all Tasmanian composers of original tunes or songs in a folk style. The spirit is one of encouragement rather than competition, so be brave in 2020 when the event comes around again!!

2016 Song and Tune Writing Awards Winners

Song and Tune Writing Awards

Once again 2016 saw a wonderful batch of entries for our Song and Tune Writing Awards. Thank you to all who participated by writing and submitting songs and tunes. The Awards Concert was held on Saturday the 22nd October to feature all those who were able to come and perform. The outcome of the competition was as follows:

  •  Song Winner: Teresa Young with Melton Mowbray

  • Tune Winner: Michael Horton with Sliding Down Mt Amos

  • Under 19s Winner: Celeste Meincke with Underneath

  • People’s Choice Winner: Teresa Young

Well done to all those who submitted entries and thank you for supporting this competition, please keep those creative cogs turning for the 2017 competition. Congratulations to the winners and thank you very much to those who make it all happen, particularly our Competition Co-ordinator, Peter Hicks and also this year’s judges, Helen Morrison and David Beniuk.

2016 Song and Tune Writing Awards

Song and Tune Writing Awards

“for an original song or tune in traditional or contemporary folk style”

  • See entry form: Folk Federation of Tas Song Writing award entry form 2016
  • These awards are made to encourage creative music writing in Tasmania.
  • An independent panel of judges will announce the major awards at a concert on Saturday 22nd October
  • The concert will feature the finalists. The judge’s decision will be made before the night but not announced until during the concert. A People’s Choice award will be decided on the night.

There are three categories, plus a Peoples’ Choice on the night of the concert 

  • Mike Silverwood Memorial Song Writing Award 1st $150
  • Instrumental Award 1st $150
  • Under 19 Song or Instrumental Award 1st $150
  • People’s Choice Award 1st $50

Entries to be submitted by Friday 30th September 2016

Further information: ring Peter on 0409 216 752

Further details are on the entry form: Folk Federation of Tas Song Writing award entry form 2016

2015 Song and Tune Writing Awards Winners

Song and Tune Writing Awards

Thanks to all those who participated in writing and submitting your songs and tunes for this year’s FFT Song and Tune awards.  We were fortunate to have a wonderful concert featuring those who could make the event last night.  Just to let you know the outcome  for 2015.

  • Song winner was Conn O’Neill and Stephen Bourke with “Men of the Derwent”
  • Runner up was Jane Germain with – “Living on the Edge” and
  • Encouragement award went to Anthony Aylward – for “The Little Pit Pony”
  • Tune writing prize was to Emily Wolfe for “The World of Beatrix Potter”
  • People’s Choice award on the night went to Conn O’Neill

Once again I would like to congratulate the winners but thank everyone for your participation and hope you are sharpening up your pencils for another crack at it next year….keep in touch with the Folk Federation of Tasmania – and look out for details on the website – folktas.org

 

Thanks, Peter – October 2015

2013 Song and Tune Writing Awards

Song and Tune Writing Awards

“for an original song or tune in traditional or contemporary folk style”

  • These awards are made to encourage creative music writing in Tasmania.
  • An independent panel of judges will announce the major awards at a concert at Brookfield Margate on Saturday 16th November, time 7:00pm
  • The concert will feature all acts that have submitted applications and wish to perform. The judge’s decision will be made before the night but not announced until during the concert. A People’s Choice award will be decided on the night.

There are three categories, plus a Peoples’ Choice on the night of the concert 

  • Mike Silverwood Memorial Song Writing Award 1st $150
  • Instrumental Award 1st $150
  • Under 19 Song or Instrumental Award 1st $150
  • People’s Choice Award 1st $50

Eligible songs and tunes must be composed by a resident of Tasmania and must not have been entered in any other competition. They should be suitable for performance at the live concert. A composer can select a performer of their choice.
Entries to be submitted by Friday 20th September 2013 either:

  • on a CD, clearly showing the name of the entry, with name, address, and telephone number, to Peter Hicks, 1123 Pelverata Rd, Pelverata Tas 7150. Please include two copies of the song lyrics (without the artist’s name on them).
  • by email of mp3 file plus wordprocessed/txt documents of lyrics (don’t include artist’s name on song lyrics). Send to peterhickstas@hotmail.com.

Entries will be judged on the submitted recording only. Please indicate if performer is not the composer.
Tasmanian themes are strongly encouraged. There is a preference for simple arrangements – e.g., one guitar/instrument plus vocal.

Entry fee is $10 per piece, free if current member of FFT. Payment by cheque or by direct transfer to BSB: 633 000, Acct: 149 267 056, Name: Folk Federation of Tasmania, Bank: Bendigo with a description/memo of your surname and an email to peterhickstas@hotmail.com confirming payment.

Limit of 2 pieces per category.
Judges’ decisions will be final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into.
Judging criteria is that the song or tune fits comfortably into the “folk genre”. Generally this means acoustic pieces – but special consideration will be given to whether or not the song or tune fits into the “tradition of folk music” be that Celtic, Balkan, Anglo, American or good old Australian styles.

Further information: ring Peter on 0409 216 752

2012 Song and Tune Writing Award Winners

Song and Tune Writing Awards

2012 SONG AND TUNE WRITING AWARD WINNERS

“for an original song or tune in traditional or contemporary folk style”

A BIG thank you to all the entrants, participants, supporters, judges, hosts etc for another successful Folk Federation of Tasmania Mike Silverwood Memorial Songwriters Award, writes Peter Hicks.

There were so many great entrants – over 20 beautiful and thought provoking songs….and there can only be one winner (well three in fact….)

Mike Silverwood Memorial Song Writing Award $150

Patrick Gambles:   All Along The DayPatrick Gambles

Instrumental Award $150

Paddy Riley:    Minor Changes

Under 19 song or instrumental Award $150

Josephine Parker: Two birds One Stone

People’s Choice Peoples Choice Award $50

Patrick Gambles

The judges gave a special mention to Shaun Pearce for his “chain gang”

Mike Silverwood, whose is commemoriated in the name of the major award, was a folky from northern Tasmania who worked a lot with youth in the criminal justice section.

He was also the piano accordion player with the top northern band Rough Bark, who played for dances, concerts, benefits and rallies. They were fantastic.
He wrote quirky songs and tunes, had a great sense of humour. At a session with the Chieftains in Launceston Matt Molloy famously asked who the chap was with the epileptic caterpillar, which adequately describes Mike’s individual accordion playing.

He was also a regular contributor to folk events as a musician/singer in the north.

These awards are made to encourage creative music writing in Tasmania.

  • An independent panel of judges  announced the major awards at a concert
    Friday 16th November 2012 at Brookfield Margate
  • The concert featured the finalists.

Judging criteria was that the song or tune fit comfortably into the “folk genre”.  Generally this means acoustic pieces – but special consideration was be given to whether or not the song fits into the “tradition of folk song” be that Celtic, Balkan, Anglo, American or good old Australian styles.