Bullying’ Song Wins National Songwriting Contest

‘Bullying’ Song Wins National Songwriting Contest

Wellington girl Brianna Anglesey has won Caritas’ annual Singout4Justice songwriting competition. Brianna, a Year 8 student at Thorndon School, Wellington, won with a song about bullying called It happens all the time. (video link here)

Responding to the competition theme of ‘A voice for the voiceless’, Brianna said about her song ‘I immediately thought about bully’s victims not speaking up. ... My song is about a victim of a bully not speaking up and me telling her I’ll help her to tell someone because she’s not alright.’

Judge Don McGlashan chose Brianna’s song after 24 entries were whittled down to a short-list of eight. He presented Brianna personally with her prize in a surprise announcement at an end-of-week school mini-concert led by Brianna and fellow composer Rebecca Toimata (runner-up in 2011).

Brianna won a $400 music voucher and a $100 voucher for a ‘Caritas Gift’ of her choice. She chose to support a Healing gift, to help bring medical supplies and better access to healthcare for people in places such as Tanzania, Timor Leste and Palestine.

Don McGlashan said of the winning song, ‘The song is simple and direct, as all “message”, or “protest” songs should be. It addresses a single issue and speaks from the heart.... I always feel that a protest song should leave the listener with a direct, achievable piece of advice ... or a call to action.... I think that's why this song is a deserving winner.’

Fittingly for New Zealand Music Month, Don McGlashan is confident that the future of music here is in good hands – based on the quality of the entries he heard.

‘Every one of these song writers has the potential to go on to write strong, unique songs that can capture an audience, deal effectively with important issues, and sound like they come from this country.’

Competition organiser Catherine Gibbs said it’s notable that, once again, half the entries came from Catholic schools and half from State or private schools, even though promotional material is sent directly only to Catholic schools. Other schools pick it up through the Caritas website, Musicnet or word of mouth.

Highly commended awards were made to:

Frances Daly and Maria Hayes from Marian College, Christchurch for Show me the love.

Katie Macfarlane from Remuera Intermediate, Auckland for Just A Girl.

Megan Fromont and Anne-Sophie Issah from Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth with a gentle song Guardian Angel.

Commended awards went to:

·         VT60 boys' band, Marian Primary School, Hamilton for Gather All The People.

·         Blush, Marian Primary School, Hamilton for Speak Out.

·         Campbell Mackenzie, Kowhai Intermediate, Auckland for Dreams.

·         Georgia-Kate Blair, Jack Sinclair, Eva Liardet & Julia Firth, St Kevin’s College, Oamaru with Run.

·         Te Moana Houra, St Joseph’s School, Wairoa for Be Strong.

This is the third year that Caritas has run its songwriting competition for Years 7-10 students, in conjunction with its Lent Appeal. Next year, it is considering expanding the contest to include a senior level Years 11-13. The winning songs from each year, and the three highly commended for 2012, can all be heard at: http://www.caritas.org.nz/schools/singout4justice.

Watch a music video of Brianna’s winning song here.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.

ENDS.

© Scoop Media