Song Academy Young Songwriter Competition 2020

About the competition

The Young Songwriter 2020 competition in its 9th year is the leading international songwriting competition for 8-18 year olds. Please help our search for the top young songwriters. Here’s who we’re looking for…

Are you…

• Writing your own songs & want to get them heard?
• Secretly writing your own songs and need a bit of encouragement to share them?
• Creative & musical and would like to write your first song?

We provide a golden opportunity for aspiring young songwriters to get their songs heard by some of the best songwriters and stand out in the music industry – with the opportunity to perform in a live showcase in London, win some great prizes and connect with each other as part of our vibrant community of young songwriters with exclusive songwriting experiences for finalists.

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Not only do professionals hear my music, but there’s also a lot I can learn from the other young songwriters around me.

Bella, Finalist

It encourages young people to believe in themselves.

Roman, Finalist

Entry requirements

• SAYS20 is open to young people aged 8-18 (NB 18 years at the time of entry is fine)
• Entries can be submitted by individuals or groups/bands. Songs must be under 4.5 minutes. Songs can be on any topic and in any genre of music
• All lyrics and music must be the entrant’s own original work
• The accompaniment/music must be masterminded by the entrant/s, however can be played by family or friends if the entrant is unable to do so
• Entrants can use songwriting apps such as GarageBand and their available sounds
• Each entrant may submit up to 5 songs and 5 additional joint entries
• Entry costs £10 per song to cover administration & judging costs
• Entrants don’t need a professional recording as they will be judged on their originality, lyrics, melody, composition and potential to be a smash hit! However, a good recording can most certainly help to enhance the impact of your song

Rules and guidelines

Judging criteria

We’re looking for pure songwriting talent. Professional recordings are not required as songs will be judged on their originality, lyrics, melody, composition and hit-making potential!

We judge every song on three key elements: Lyrics, Melody & Chords/Instrumental (see below).  Then there’s the S Factor – is it a sensational song!

• Lyrics: Demonstrates both technical and artistic competency, highlighting emerging originality. Material is imaginative and technically accomplished with rhyme, meter & creative language
• Melody: Compliments the chord progression and other surrounding musical characteristics. Melodic content demonstrates variety by using range, rhythm and pitch effectively. Demonstrates the ability to write functional harmonic progressions that complement the melodic content. The melody is memorable
• Chords/Instrumental: Harmonic progressions are balanced and provide a sufficient amount of interest throughout the song in relation to the other musical components

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2020 judges

2020 judges include Tom Odell, Imelda May, Miranda Cooper, Eg White, Chris Difford, Sacha Skarbek, Emily Phillips, Janet Devlin, Harley Alexander-Sule & Paul Adam.

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2020 winners’ prizes

8-12 year-old category, UK & Ireland

• A half day recording session with the top producer in London
• Professional music video and photos from recording session
• Scarlett Solo Gen 3 Studio Bundle
• Yamaha prize
• Cubase Artist music software
• Signed Tom Odell ‘Jubilee Road’ Album
• The winner & selected finalists will perform at our Young Songwriter 2020 showcase at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London on Saturday 20 June

13-18 year-old category, UK & Ireland

• A half day recording session with the top producer in London
• Professional music video and photos from recording session
• Scarlett Solo Gen 3 Studio Bundle
• Yamaha prize
• Cubase Pro music software
• Signed Tom Odell ‘Jubilee Road’ Album
• Filming of live session with Dawsons Music
• The winner & selected finalists will perform at our Young Songwriter 2020 showcase at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London on Saturday 20 June

International category

• Scarlett Solo Gen 3 Studio Bundle
• Yamaha prize
• Cubase Artist music software
• Signed Tom Odell ‘Jubilee Road’ Album

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