Entries Now Open For World's Largest Songwriting Charity Competition

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - May 10, 2016 - PRLog -- This prestigious international contest offers a first prize of A $50,000, second prize of A $10,000 and third prize of A $5,000. Previous prize winners include Kimbra, Gotye and The Preatures.

Named after iconic Australian songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young, responsible for The Easybeats' classic Friday On My Mind, John Paul Young's Love is in the Air and a slew of hits, the competition aims to support talented songwriters while raising much-needed funds for not-for-profit organization Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA).

NRMTA uses music therapy to help people cope with the struggles of living with a wide range of needs. These include children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, autism, trauma, illness, dementia, behaviour disorders and learning difficulties.

To date, the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition has raised over half a million dollars for the organization, and all entry fees from the contest go directly towards its work.

Collecting society APRA AMCOS and Australian music rights company Alberts Music present the competition with support from AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers Association) and AEG Ogden.

Brett Cottle, APRA AMCOS Chief Executive said: "We're incredibly proud to be launching this year's Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition.  The competition provides a platform for songwriters and 100% of the funds raised go to Nordoff-Robbins so they can continue to transform lives through music."

David Albert, Managing Director of Alberts said: "The competition is one that is very close to our hearts. It raises vital funds for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, provides exciting opportunities for songwriters, and pays tribute to two of Australia's greatest ever songwriters."

The 2016 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition is judged by an esteemed panel of songwriters, media and industry professionals, and is open to all songs, irrespective of genre.

Entries close 11:59pm (AEST) 13 July 2016.

Please visit www.vandayoungsongcomp.com for more information and terms and conditions.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy use creative music therapy to deliver significant and quantifiable benefits to children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, trauma, mental health problems, depression and medical illnesses, as well as learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Using improvised live music to build a relationship between music therapist and the participant where they interact and communicate in a participatory form of therapy where the power of music acts as the agent for change and healing. They receive no government funding yet assist some of the most disadvantaged in our community so fundraisers like Art of Music play an essential and vital role in assisting to continue the great work.  For more information: www.noro.org.auAlberts is an independent music company, which has been a longstanding supporter of Nordoff-Robbins Australia in its mission to transform lives through the provision of music therapy.  Named after the iconic songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young, the songwriting competition was launched in 2009 to support and raise the profile of the non-profit organisation and the work it does to change the lives of many. www.albertmusic.com

APRA AMCOS stands for the Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society Ltd, who together are responsible for the non-profit collection and distribution of songwriting royalties to approximately 87,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members, and around 3,000,000 copyright owners worldwide. www.apraamcos.com.au

AMPAL The Australasian Music Publishers Association works on behalf of its members to promote a better understanding of the value of music, both culturally and economically. They have more than 50 publisher members in Australia and New Zealand who invest in songwriters across all genres of music. They nurture talent, promote the works of their writers and find avenues for their work to be heard. They are a vital part of an industry that contributes to the cultural and economic future of Australia and New Zealand.  Our members represent over 90% of the economic value of the music publishing sector. www.ampal.com.au

AEG Ogden is an Australian controlled joint venture between Australian venue management interests and AEG Facilities of the United States. AEG Ogden manages venues throughout the Asia Pacific region, including the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and the adjacent Sports Centre, Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Perth Arena; Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane; convention centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Kuala Lumpur, Hyderabad (currently in design), Oman (opening 2016), the ICC Sydney (opening December 2016) and the Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island; and live theatres including Perth's His Majesty's Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, the WA State Theatre Centre, Albany Entertainment Centre, and Subiaco Arts Centre. www.aegogden.com