Talented second-year student named Songwriter of the Year

Popular Music student Sam Springett has won The University of Auckland 2012 Songwriter of the Year competition.

Springett, who is in his second year of studies towards a Bachelor of Music degree at the University, was judged the best amongst the six talented finalists at the Grand Final concert, held at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre on 20 September.

His title win also includes a swag of prizes courtesy of MusicWorks, Roundhead Studios, Kog Studio, Amstore, the New Zealand Association of Music Producers (NZAMP) and KiwiFM.

"To win when I was up against so many talented muscians was amazing. I was nervous but tried hard just to enjoy the experience. I'm so stoked. Couldn’t of done it without the support from my lecturers and friends" says 18 year-old Sam, who grew up in Nelson, and only shifted to Auckland last year.

In addition to original performances by the six finalists, the concert also featured guest appearances by the winners of the Songwriter of the Year: Schools Competition, which was held earlier this year. Talented young musicians Petra Bullock (Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland) and Evan Sinton and Hamish Jackson, performing as Intone (Glendowie College, Auckland) each performed a set of their original songs.

"Songwriter of Year has rapidly become one of the School of Music's biggest and most exciting events. The standard is incredibly high and it comes as no surprise that our past winners are going on to make names for themselves in one of the most fiercely competitive industries there is” says Head of School, Dr Allan Badley.

Springett, who considered other vocations before studying music, says being able to share his music as a career choice is such a bonus. He plans to record a single in the near future.