Play it Strange  

City dominates songwriting awards

Auckland showed its strength by dominating the Play it Strange National Secondary School Songwriting Competition this year.

John Pulu (fourth from left at back) and his Otahuhu College musicians. John wrote the 5th placed song "Run Away From My Troubles".

While Anna Macdonald, from Dunedin’s St Hilda’s College, was the top individual songwriter, Auckland’s Lynfield College took School of the Year title for having four songs in the top 50. In total, students from five Auckland high schools were among the top 10 songwriters.

Run by the Play It Strange Charitable Trust, the awards recognise the incredible talent of New Zealand’s young songwriters, says the Trust’s CEO, Mike Chunn – himself a former member of Kiwi bands Split Enz and Citizen Band.

"For the first time in our history, we have a popular music industry where local artists singing original songs are outperforming the Anglo-American imports. And this celebration is happening at all levels,” he says.

The organisation aims to encourage young performers to develop interests and skills in song writing and musical performance.
It also runs the Songnet website (www.songnet.co.nz), where young songwriters get help in mastering their craft. Students can submit songs for feedback from an expert songwriter, ask questions and chat online with fellow young songwriters.

Once a year the Trust also runs a Band of Strangers concert, where young musicians get the chance to perform with top bands.
This year the Auckland Town Hall event included students performing with headline acts Yulia, Steriogram, The Exponents and Deceptikonz.

“Play it Strange is about young people celebrating life through the music they play and write,” says Mike. “The concerts give the student performers the night of their lives. But more than that, it gives us, the audience, a musical experience we will never forget.”

www.playitstrange.co.nz
ASB Community Trust granted Play It Strange Trust $28,841 towards its running costs this year.