The Roddy Read Memorial Song Writing Award is an integral part of the Maldon Folk Festival. Both professional and amateur budding songwriters are invited to apply.
The winner of this year’s Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Award will receive a Tanglewood Rosewood Reserve TRC-CE Superfolk Classical Electro Acoustic guitar and ABS moulded plush hard case courtesy of our generous sponsors, InstrAmental Music Centre and Tanglewood Guitars.
This song writing contest commemorates the long-standing contribution to the festival by the late Roddy Read. Roddy was the masterful, witty, humourous, ‘no-nonsense’ MC of the festival concerts for many years.
Countdown to Entry Closing
Well it's that time of year again. The Roddy Read Memorial Songwriters Award for 2010 officially opens to receive entries on July 1, 2010.
Simply download the entry form and follow the instructions to be a part of this year's award. The perfect opportunity to drag out that almost finished song or let inspiration sweep you away and concoct something wondrous and new.
You have until early September to get your entry in for the careful consideration of our panel of prejudges, and if you are fortunate enough to make it to the short list, you will be performing your song at the finals concert on Saturday October 30 before a panel of judges and a supportive and lively audience.
The concert is always great fun and it's a terrific chance to play among your musical peers and take part in what is now a much loved tradition at the Maldon Folk Festival.
So get writing and have your entries in the post for September 10. Good luck to everyone!
Or step up for the Minstrel Awards - Register your interest with Wendy at the Maldon Folk Festival on the Saturday morning. Places are strictly limited. Give it a go!
Previous Winners
2009 Tony English
‘Leaving Liverpool’ read more...
2008 Geoff McArthur ‘Sparkle and Shine’
2007 Rose Bygrave ‘Erarerama’
2006 Neil Robertson ‘Celebration’
2005 Heidi Hibberd ‘Lyndee I Have Lost Your Number’
2004 Mark Cryle ‘Anytime You’d Fall’
2003 Caithlin Meave ‘Buddha and Steel’
2002 Bruce Watson ‘Dad’s Clothes’
2001 Bek Fletcher ‘Fly’
2000 Ben Smith ‘One Little Black Face’
1999 Graham Dodsworth ‘Excuse Me’
1998 Mark Jackson & Cassy Nunan ‘I Just Received’
1997 Tiffany Eckhardt ‘On My Knees’
1996 Geraldine Hughes ‘Caravans’
1995 Enda Kenny ‘My Own Road’
1994 Steve Dennis ‘Don’t Cry for Me’
1993 Don Cowling ‘The Ordinary Man’
Sadly, Roddy passed away in 1992 but hopefully this award will in some measure ensure that his contribution to Maldon is not forgotten. Featuring both professional and amateur songwriters, the contest has become a popular event for both performers and patrons.
Entrants submit their songs in advance of the festival for a selection of final songs for judging on the Saturday afternoon. The song judged the winner at this concert will be awarded a guitar, courtesy of our sponsors. They will also receive the unique Roddy Read trophy. In addition, the winner will perform their song at the Sunday Main Stage Concert and will be guaranteed a programmed gig at the following Maldon Folk Festival.
So now scribes, songsters, scribblers, people who cover napkins with lyrics or wake in the wee small hours with 'that elusive hook' - get scribing, songstering and scribbling for 2010. The entry form and conditions of entry are downloadable below. Please, please read the conditions and instructions carefully to avoid disappointment and all the very, very best of luck. Roll on Maldon Folk Festival 2010 and the Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Award for its 18th year!
How To Enter
You will need to submit:
A completed and signed, official entry form.
Entry Form coming soon
A recording of the song, on cassette or CD, (playable on a standard CD player), with only the name of the song written on it as identification. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
Note: No digital format files entries will be accepted, (eg: MP3 or wma).
A legible copy of the lyrics in English with only the name of the song written on it as
identification. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
Entry Fee
An entry fee of $15 per song.
Only cash, postal orders or cheques are accepted. (No EFTPOS available.)
Make entry fee payable to: "Maldon Folk Festival"
Application Closing Date
Entries must be received at the address below, before closing date (coming soon).
Send To Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Contest,
98 St Georges Road,
Northcote VIC 3070
More Information
Further details are available on the downloadable Roddy Read Award Entry Form. If you need any further clarification, contact the contest coordinator, Wendy Ealey, at the Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Contest:
- Phone: (03) 9489 0504
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Email: macnificent@eftel.com.au
2009 Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Award Report
Entry numbers were way up for 2009 Contest, requiring three panels of prejudges to arrive at the 14 excellent finalists. Sadly, one finalist had to withdraw due to ill health so it was down to a lucky 13 songs for the Roddy Read final event.
Many thanks to our finals judges: Janette Geri, Trevor Shard (Presiding Judge) and Christina Green. Thanks also to our generous sponsors, InstrAmental Music Centre and Tanglewood Guitars.
The final concert itself was a huge success, enjoyed by all those in attendance with a very warm and supportive atmosphere between the entrants and an enthusiastic audience. There was overall support for the judge’s decision, but the overall standard was very good indeed and made for a varied and excellent show.
The winner was Tony English from Daylesford with his outstandingly beautiful song, ‘Leaving Liverpool’.
