COMPETITIONS

This competition focuses on secondary school-aged songwriters, years 9 to 11, with the theme "weaving the lives they lead" through the lyrics. 

Enter the competition by submitting your details, a recording of your song and the lyric sheet. This year's competition will be judged by Mike Chunn and guest judge Marlon Williams. The recording and performance quality of the entry is not taken into account in the judging process.

1st place receives a $500 Rockshop gift card
2^nd and 3^rd place receive a $100 Rockshop gift card

ALL finalists will have their song recorded in a professional recording studio (one day to the value of $800 plus gst) to go on the 2024 Youthtown Songwriting Competition digital album.

Enter this competition by submitting your details, a recording of your song and the lyric sheet.

For the Peace Song Competition, the theme of peace and non-violence may be interpreted broadly from inner personal peace, peace in the home and among families, to peace between people of the world.  

The lyrics of the entry are focused on intimately.  The title of the original song does not have to be "The Peace Song".  The recording and performance quality of the entry is not taken into account in the judging process.

1st place receives a $1,000 gift card from the Rockshop.

All finalists will have their song recorded in a professional recording studio (one day to the value of $800 plus gst) to go on the 2024 Peace Song digital album.

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The Play it Strange National Secondary School Songwriting Competition is the flagship competition for New Zealand secondary school students Years 9 to 13.  Write your song about anything you want and in any language. 

Enter the competition by submitting your details, a recording of your song and the lyric sheet. The recording and performance quality of the entry is not taken into account in the judging process.

1st place receives a $1,000 gift card from the Rockshop.

The prize for all finalist songs chosen is a day in a professional recording studio (one day to the value of $800 plus gst) to record your song for the annual digital album
plus a $50 Rockshop voucher and a certificate.

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Play It Strange presents a cover art competition to celebrate all creatives at New Zealand secondary schools. This competition seeks artwork for the front cover of the annual Play It Strange Lion Foundation National Secondary School Songwriting Competition album. This competition is open to year 9-13 students. Enter the competition by submitting your details and a digital file of your artwork. Artwork should be in a square format, with space for logos and the album title.