Enter the 2024 Vanda & Young Global Song Comp

Bigger and better than ever, the Vanda & Young Global Song Comp is back for 2024!

Total prize pool valued at over $80,000 with first prize of $50,000, $10,000 for second place, and two $5,000 prizes.

Plus TEN new prizes for emerging songwriters of $1,000 each!

Now open for entries, the Vanda & Young Global Song Comp returns for its eleventh year, bigger and better than ever. The international competition continues to unearth and champion global songwriting talent from anywhere in the world, offering unparalleled prizes, with funds raised supporting the life-changing work of Noro Music Therapy.

Since 2019, the competition has unearthed and awarded songwriters at varying stages of their careers. Some of these are now the most celebrated names in contemporary music, including: King Stingray, Budjerah, Charley, Genesis Owusu, MAY-A, Baker Boy, Thelma Plum, Ruel, Matt Corby, Sarah Aarons, Amy Shark, Gang of Youths, Mallrat, Gretta Ray + many, many more.

This year's first prize is an impressive $50,000, followed by $10,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place.

Additionally, there is a special prize of $5,000 – plus a Gibson Guitar Ebony Les Paul Special Tribute – exclusively for unsigned and unpublished Australian songwriters (valued at $2,595).

And for the first time, we are introducing TEN global emerging songwriter prizes of $1,000 each, set to unearth even more international talent.

Early Bird Entries are being encouraged for the first time, and are open until Monday 23 September. During this period, songwriters can enter three songs for the price of two and go in the draw to win a Gibson Guitar White Les Paul Special Tribute (valued at $2,595).

The entry fee per song is $50. Entries are welcomed from anywhere in the world.

The competition closes on Monday 14 October.

This year's judging panel consists of global record label and publishing A&Rs, managers, media, and music industry reps, including:

• Aloe Blacc (Artist)
• Christina Thiers (A&R, BMG)
• Craig Hawker (A&R, Sony Music Publishing)
• Dan Zilber (Music Consultant)
• David Hodges (Songwriter and Producer)
• Dean Ormston (CEO, APRA AMCOS)
• Gretta Ray (Artist)
• Guy Sebastian (Artist)
• Heather O'Brien (A&R, EMI)
• Jenny Morris (Artist + Chair, APRA AMCOS)
• Lars Brandle (Head of Content, The Brag Media)
• Leah Harris (Artist and Label Partnerships Lead, Spotify)
• Mahalia Barnes (Artist + Manager, Jimmy Barnes)
• Mardi Caught (Head, The Annex)
• Maria Amato (CEO, AIR)
• Marietta Ouzas (A&R, Sony Music + Manager, Tones And I)
• Nicole Richards (MD, Island Records)
• Pam Sheyne (Songwriter and Producer)
• Peter Coquillard (Manager, Milk & Honey)
• Poppy Reid (Editor-in-Chief, Rolling Stone)
• Shane Billings (Manager, Amy Shark)
• Troy Cassar-Daley (Artist)

Funds raised from the Vanda & Young Global Song Comp go to support the life-changing music therapy programs of Noro Music Therapy, providing essential services to those in need through the healing power of music, with $2 million raised since 2009.

Named after legendary Australian songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young (read more below), the Vanda & Young Global Song Comp is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: APRA AMCOS, Alberts, Sony Music Publishing, Banki Haddock Fiora, Aon Insurance, AMPAL, Australis Music Group (Gibson Guitars), Senheisser, Vinyl Group, Vampr, and The Brag Media.

“As we commemorate 60 years since The Easybeats first energised audiences, Alberts is honoured to continue its support of the Vanda & Young Global Song Comp as it ignites the creative spirit of another generation of songwriters. The 2024 competition promises to be a standout year for talent, supporting Alberts’ history of backing musical trailblazers who foster a vibrant Australian culture. Building on the success of past winners like King Stingray and 2023 ARIA Album of the Year recipient Genesis Owusu, we are excited to hear the energy and innovation that this year’s entrants will bring to the competition,” says David Albert, CEO of Alberts.