Click here to check out all songwriting programmes and resources.
Following the huge success of this year’s songwriting camp we’ve booked dates to return next year and we’re now open for bookings! We only have 45 places available so please book soon.
Our residential songwriting camp is designed for aspiring young songwriters to develop their songwriting skills, connect & collaborate on exciting songwriting briefs over 4 days & immerse themselves in all parts of the songwriting process, from finding inspiration, lyric writing, melody improvisation and composition to producing and performing. Our expert team of top songwriters and producers all share a passion for inspiring the next generation.
The 4 day programme includes engaging sessions on:
Creating song concepts and understanding song structure
Creative lyric writing
Chords, Melody and Harmony improvisation (with some music theory)
Ways to develop your sound and style
Recording and producing your songs
Choir & Band
How to engage your audience
How the Songwriting/Music industry works and latest trends
How to create your own brand & fanbase
Masterclasses where we give feedback on songs previously written and work in progress songs
Open songwriter/mic night
Quiz night
Special guest speaker nights with opportunity for Q&As
Performances at the end of camp showcase from 2-3:30/4pm on the last day.
Here are some highlights of the end of summer camp 2023 showcase.
The Young Songwriter trophy is revealed at The Young Songwriter 2023 showcase at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill. Designed by Finnian Feez, designer, musician & songwriter and graduate of Central Saint Martins. It’s stylish, original, creative and has a powerful message.
We are thrilled with our iconic trophies for The Young Songwriter competitions! After an introduction from the head of product design, Paul De’Ath at Central Saint Martins, Finnian Feez was given the brief of designing and building a trophy for The Young Songwriter competition which would symbolise the power of songwriting, fit the brand values of Song Academy and connect with the thoughts, wants and desires of our worldwide community of young songwriters.
The design is perhaps not what you’d expect from a trophy, and just in case you’re thinking why are we giving an empty box to the winners, here’s some insight into the design!
Finnian said at The Young Songwriter 2023 showcase “Each trophy has a different graphic inside them, all similar – signifying your shared goal and love of music, but each is unique, because, you’re all unique, and that is something that needs to be celebrated and encouraged to filter into your songwriting.
These empty boxes are a metaphor. They stand for the fact that no physical object will be the reason for you creating a song. Whether a guitar, piano, drum, synthesiser, whichever instrument it is, they’re just empty boxes – it’s what you have within you that leads to the creation of a song. So these trophies are a token of that message.
The trophies are made from recyclable or compostable materials and can be dismantled and rebuilt to clean or replace parts if needed.
Songwriting isn’t easy. Creation in general is difficult, sometimes it can even seem impossible. Sometimes we can lose sight of why we even create in the first place or doubt that we have the ability. If we’re able to remind ourselves that it’s something that lives within us, and we’re true to ourselves, then we can overcome any creative challenges that might arise. We hope that in some way the message behind this trophy will help all of you as you grow and develop as songwriters and music makers.”
We think that Finnian has designed the perfect trophy for The Young Songwriter competition.
We’re looking forward to The Young Songwriter 2024 competition. Get your songs ready to enter between the 1st February and 31st March 2024!
The inspirational Song Academy Young Songwriter 2023 live showcase will be held on Saturday 23rd September 6:45 – 9:45pm at The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, London W11 2AY. The Young Songwriter 2023 competition top 10 finalists, Song Academy alumni making waves in the music industry plus VIP guests will be performing their original songs live.
The showcase celebrates the inventiveness & creativity of young people and the power of songwriting to help young people find their voice and find their tribe. The future is bright and diverse!
We are delighted that the showcase will be compered by TV/Radio star Abbie McCarthy and Song Academy ambassador Zara Musoni. Abbie McCarthy is an award-winning TV/Radio presenter & DJ, you’ll find her hosting BBC Music Introducing in Kent on the airwaves every Saturday night and also bringing great new music & fun interviews to your TV screens on E4 Extra & The Box Network with Fresh This Month. Abbie has been highlighted by the Radio Academy as one of the brightest young stars in radio, recently featuring in their esteemed 30 under 30 list and winning Silver for Best Music Presenter at the ARIAs 2020.
The list of Young Songwriter 2023 young songwriters performing on the 23rd September is shown below.
To book your seats at this unique event send an email to contact@songacademy.co.uk. Seats in the tiered seating cost £22.50 and for seats in the gallery are £17.50. All seats have an excellent view of the stage. There is limited availability so we suggest you book soon. E-tickets will be sent out the week before.
The Song Academy Young Songwriter competition is the leading international songwriting competition for young people aged 8-18. This year attracted around 1,000 high quality entries. Song Academy gives the unheard youth a voice and platform to express themselves and be heard. The standard of finalist songs entered this year was exceptionally high. To select the top 10 songs we listened for inventiveness, creativity & bravery with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations. Young people have a unique way of expressing themselves, they are a new generation experiencing life in the most vivid and visceral way.
SAYS23 Star Judges include Fraser T Smith, Amy Wadge, Miranda Cooper, Eg White, Jimmy Napes, Emily Phillips, Plested, Hannah V, Sodajerker, Sacha Skarbek and Dan Gillespie Sells.
Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2023 competition are YouTube Music, Yamaha, Soundtrap, Focusrite, PRS for Music and ICMP.
Fraser T Smith (songwriter, producer and SAYS23 judge) said “With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”
Tom Odell (singer songwriter and Young Songwriter judge) said “When I was 13 years old I started writing songs, and over the following years I became more and more obsessed with it. But the thing that always kept me awake at night was how to get them out there for people to hear them. This is why I think the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition is a great way to inspire and help through this process, and it’s something I wish had been around when I was starting out.”
Many of our past finalists are now making waves in the industry, including Gayle, Matilda Mann, Oscar Lang, Lexie Carroll, Cassa Jackson, Oscar Welsh, Natalie Shay, Joshua Shea, Tabitha Jade, Tom A. Smith, Gabriel Dryss, Katie Kittermaster, Gilska, Andrea Turk, Cathy Jain, Sebastian Croft, Daniel McCarthy, Eliza Mai, Miriam Nyarko, Wasia Project, Sophie Griffiths, Rosie Sullivan, Melanie Baker, Alien Blaze, Sweet Mylo, James Bakian, Hetta Falzon, Harry Hatcher, Conor Marcus, Clari Freeman-Taylor, Alex Spencer, Sophie DeMasi & Mullally.
FRANKIE MORLAND
OTTILIE WALLACE
SHOLTO CAMERON
ELISA MCEVOY
ISLA HANNETT
OREGON THIA GERRIT
12 DEERS BAND
KIT BOTTOMLEY
AGNES BULL
ELEANOR ROSE HANSON
MIA WILKS
CHARLIE RYAN
KACIA
MADDIE INSTONE
ELI CROSSLEY
ECHO BAND
SKYE BISHOP
MACY O
ELIZABETH EHINFUN
STUART VEITCH
SHAAN BHASKAR
RUBE
JS STARZ – JESSE NGOMA
ISLA MAE
COLE LAM
TAMARA HENDIN
SOPHIE FERIANI
MATT JONES
ADAM O’CONNOR, ARLO REDMAN
ROE BYRNE
To book your seats at this unique event send an email to contact@songacademy.co.uk.
The Young Songwriter 2024 competition is open for entries from the 1st February until the 31st March 2024. Get your songs ready!
The Young Songwriter 2023 competition is open for entries from the 1st February to the 31st March 2023. Get your songs ready! Check out our songwriting programmes (clubs, workshops, song feedback) to help you write your best song yet!
SAYS22 Star Judges include Tom Grennan, Amy Wadge, Miranda Cooper, Tom Odell, Eg White, Jimmy Napes, Emily Phillips, Plested, Hannah V, Sodajerker, Sacha Skarbek, Calum Scott, Dan Gillespie Sells, Janet Devlin, Simon Aldred & Grace Davies
Drumroll please! The winners of the hotly contested Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition, in its 12th year, have now been revealed. This year’s competition attracted an impressive 852 high quality entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song.
The Young Songwriter competition stands for the craft and art of songwriting in its purest form, enabling young songwriters to aspire to the very best melody, lyric, structure, concept, harmony, mood and impact a song can have. It inspires young people to think about and speak up about things that are important to them personally, in their community and in the wider world and get their voices heard. It’s a supportive community where young people feel brave and can express themselves, celebrate individuality and be themselves. The benefits from this unique community are far reaching, especially the positive boost to mental health.
What makes a sensational song is ultimately subjective. The winners’ songs were selected as they stood out for their creativity, invention & courage with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations as well as the overall impact of the song. Congratulations also go to all SAYS22 finalists and our vibrant community of young songwriters around the world.
Fraser T Smith (songwriter, producer and SAYS21 judge) said “With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”
As well as The Young Songwriter competition, Song Academy run songwriting clubs in term time, songwriting workshops in the holidays, song feedback reports, recording & production workshops, bespoke songwriting workshops & birthday parties.
Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition are YouTube Music, Yamaha, Soundtrap, Focusrite, PRS for Music, IK Multimedia, ICMP and Orange Learn.
UK/IRELAND, 8-12 YEAR OLDS WINNER: JOHNNY BEAU
INTERNATIONAL, 8-12 YEAR OLDS WINNER: EVA STEINERT
SAYS22 Official Partners include First News, Amazing Radio, BMI, Ivors Academy, FAC, SoundCity, AOC, MUSIC:ED, The Troubadour, Sing Up & Fun Kids Radio
SONG ACADEMY – helping every child find their voice and find their tribe
Founded 13 years ago, Song Academy is dedicated to the future of music and the wellbeing of young people aged 8-18. Our mission is to help children from all backgrounds find their voice and find their tribe, through writing their own original songs at a formative time of their life. We aim to take them from their first song to developing their first album. We nurture young writers, artists, musicians, producers and creative thinkers, empowering young people to achieve their full potential and shape their future.
We are the leading platform for young songwriters. Our focus is on the craft of songwriting, creating lyrics and music. We believe that songwriting and music can transform the lives of young people. Young people are growing up in a competitive, fast-changing and potentially isolating environment, leaving them vulnerable to various pressures and issues with their mental health. Songwriting enables young people to communicate their thoughts and feelings and connect to others. Through this creative and therapeutic process, they can discover their identity, overcome challenges, feel empowered, and advance their general writing and social skills. Not only can the songs they write advance potential musical careers, but also spark debate, build connection with peers and shape their future.
Song Academy runs after-school clubs, holiday workshops, school workshops, birthday parties and an annual international Young Songwriter competition. As a result of our programmes, we have seen an increase in confidence, self-esteem, creativity, motivation, well-being and technical songwriting ability of our members.
Email: rowena@songacademy.co.uk. Tel: 07710 023743
SAYS22 Star Judges include Tom Grennan, Amy Wadge, Miranda Cooper, Tom Odell, Eg White, Jimmy Napes, Emily Phillips, Plested, Hannah V, Sodajerker, Sacha Skarbek, Calum Scott, Dan Gillespie Sells, Janet Devlin, Simon Aldred & Grace Davies
Drumroll please! The top 3 finalists of the hotly contested Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition, in its 12th year, have now been revealed. This year’s competition attracted an impressive 852 high quality entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song.
The Young Songwriter competition stands for the craft and art of songwriting in its purest form, enabling young songwriters to aspire to the very best melody, lyric, structure, concept, harmony, mood and impact a song can have. It inspires young people to think about and speak up about things that are important to them personally, in their community and in the wider world and get their voices heard. It’s a supportive community where young people feel brave and can express themselves, celebrate individuality and be themselves. The benefits from this unique community are far reaching, especially the positive boost to mental health.
What makes a sensational song is ultimately subjective. The top 3 finalists songs were selected as they stood out for their creativity, invention & courage with lyrics & melodies illuminating our imaginations as well as the overall impact of the song. Congratulations also go to all SAYS22 finalists and our vibrant community of young songwriters.
The UK/Ireland winners will be announced on the 25th June at The Young Songwriter 2022 live showcase held at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London. HOW TO BOOK TICKETS: send an email to contact@songacademy.co.uk to request tickets. The International winners will be announced at the online showcase on Sunday 26th June at 2pm BST.
Fraser T Smith (songwriter, producer and SAYS21 judge) said “With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”
As well as The Young Songwriter competition, Song Academy run songwriting clubs in term time, songwriting workshops in the holidays, song feedback reports, recording & production workshops, bespoke songwriting workshops & birthday parties.
Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition are YouTube Music, Yamaha, Soundtrap, Focusrite, PRS for Music, IK Multimedia, ICMP and Orange Learn.
CANNOT LOSE MYSELF – SISI (NORTH EAST)
DON’T RILE THE YOUNG – SONIC DAZE (LONDON)
SOLD THE STORY – LEONA MAE (BEDS, HERTS & BUCKS)
HIGHLY COMMENDED: GATEKEEPER – BEA (LONDON)
FOMO – HOLLY DAIS (DEVON)
FREE – JOHNNY BEAU (LONDON)
LINGO – MATTHEW ARKOH (LONDON)
BIGGER – ALEXANDRA CRIBB (TORONTO, CANADA)
BOY – SUMMER BRENNAN (CALIFORNIA, USA)
THINK MYSELF TO DEATH – JOEY WILBUR (CHICAGO, USA)
BUBBLEGUM GIRL – DEVY (MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA)
DEAR MADELEINE – EVA STEINERT (MISSOURI, USA)
ON THE RUN – NOAH ROBERTSON (QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA)
SAYS22 Official Partners include First News, Amazing Radio, BMI, Ivors Academy, FAC, SoundCity, AOC, MUSIC:ED, The Troubadour, Sing Up & Fun Kids Radio
SONG ACADEMY – helping every child find their voice and find their tribe
Founded 13 years ago, Song Academy is dedicated to the future of music and the wellbeing of young people aged 8-18. Our mission is to help children from all backgrounds find their voice and find their tribe, through writing their own original songs at a formative time of their life. We aim to take them from their first song to developing their first album. We nurture young writers, artists, musicians, producers and creative thinkers, empowering young people to achieve their full potential and shape their future.
We are the leading platform for young songwriters. Our focus is on the craft of songwriting, creating lyrics and music. We believe that songwriting and music can transform the lives of young people. Young people are growing up in a competitive, fast-changing and potentially isolating environment, leaving them vulnerable to various pressures and issues with their mental health. Songwriting enables young people to communicate their thoughts and feelings and connect to others. Through this creative and therapeutic process, they can discover their identity, overcome challenges, feel empowered, and advance their general writing and social skills. Not only can the songs they write advance potential musical careers, but also spark debate, build connection with peers and shape their future.
Song Academy runs after-school clubs, holiday workshops, school workshops, birthday parties and an annual international Young Songwriter competition. As a result of our programmes, we have seen an increase in confidence, self-esteem, creativity, motivation, well-being and technical songwriting ability of our members.
Email: rowena@songacademy.co.uk. Tel: 07710 023743
In its exciting 12th year, the Song Academy Young Songwriter #SAYS22 competition champions youth creativity, giving them a golden opportunity to get their songs heard by a star-studded judging panel, get recognition for their creative talents, connect to other young songwriters and win some incredible prizes.
With over 1,000 entries in 2021, #SAYS22 aims to reach even more young people writing songs in their bedrooms around the world, as well as inspiring beginners from all backgrounds to write their 1st song! The future of music and all creative industries will be a bright, inclusive and diverse one.
Song Academy gives the unheard youth a voice and platform to express themselves and be heard. Each year, the songs entered give a clear indication of the emotions, preoccupations, and insights of a generation. Lockdown, social media, the environment, love, rejection, home life, self-doubt, human rights, family and friends are subjects which often feature. These songs have the power to unite a generation and lead social change, to shape the future.
Fraser T Smith, songwriter, producer says “With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”
Tom Odell, singer/songwriter, says “When I was 13 years old I started writing songs, and over the following years I became more and more obsessed with it, but the thing that always kept me awake at night was how to get them out there for people to hear them. This is why I think the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition is a great way to inspire and help through this process, and it’s something I wish had been around when I was starting out. I can’t wait to hear the songs!”
Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition are YouTube Music, Yamaha, Soundtrap, Focusrite, PRS for Music, IK Multimedia, ICMP and Orange Learn.
SAYS22 partners include: SAYS22 Partners include First News, Amazing Radio, Ivors Academy, FAC, SoundCity, AOC, MUSIC:ED, The Troubadour, Sing Up, Music-News.com & Fun Kids Radio.
The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition is looking for pure, fresh songwriting talent. Songs will be judged on their originality, lyrics, melody, composition, and potential to be a smash hit! There’s no need to enter professional recordings, however a good recording can help to enhance the impact of songs.
If you know aspiring young songwriters or musical young people who’d like to write their first song, please encourage
them to enter! All information is at https://www.songacademy.co.uk/says22/
Announcement to young people:
Calling all aspiring young songwriters, creative writers & musicians!
Aged 8-18? Written your own original songs? Fancy writing your first song?
…Then get ready to enter The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2022 competition!
Open for entries from 1st February to 31st March 2022, from around the world.
Get your songs heard, stand out, connect to other young songwriters and win some great prizes (including
£1,000 of Yamaha equipment, a recording studio session with a top producer & song feedback from our star-studded
judging panel).
With judges including Tom Grennan, Amy Wadge, Plested, Miranda Cooper, Tom Odell, Jimmy Napes, Calum Scott, Sacha Skarbek & Janet Devlin this year is set to be bigger than ever!
Check out our songwriting workshops and feedback services, as well as how to enter The Young Songwriter 2022 competition #SAYS22
NOTES TO EDITORS:
SONG ACADEMY – helping every child find their voice and find their tribe
Founded 13 years ago, Song Academy is dedicated to the future of music and the wellbeing of young people aged 8-18. Our mission is to help children from all backgrounds find their voice and find their tribe, through writing their own original songs at a formative time of their life. We aim to take them from their first song to developing their first album. We nurture young writers, artists, musicians, producers and creative thinkers, empowering young people to achieve their full potential and shape their future.
Our focus is on the craft of songwriting, creating lyrics and music. We believe that songwriting and music can transform the lives of young people. Young people are growing up in a competitive, fast-changing and potentially isolating environment, leaving them vulnerable to various pressures and issues with their mental health. Songwriting enables young people to communicate their thoughts and feelings and connect to others. Through this creative and therapeutic process, they can discover their identity, overcome challenges, feel empowered, and advance their general writing and social skills. Not only can the songs they write advance potential musical careers, but also spark debate, build connection with peers and shape their future.
Song Academy runs after-school clubs, holiday workshops, school workshops, birthday parties and an annual international Young Songwriter competition. As a result of our programmes, we have seen an increase in confidence, self-esteem, creativity, motivation, well-being and technical songwriting ability of our members.
Email: rowena@songacademy.co.uk
Tel: 07710 023743
