The third Stortford Young Songwriters Competition has come to a close with judges SuRie, Josie and Georgia hailing the most impressive depth and quality of entries EVER across all three categories.
Huge congrats from everyone here at SYSC HQ to this year’s winners: The 406’s, Quincy Mastin, and Clara Vella. Keep songwriting!
You can listen to the three songs using the media player below.
Read the judges comments on all their winning entries below.
The winner of the School Years 3-6 category was Clara Vella from St Andrew’s C of E school in Much Hadham for her song Sunlight.
“This is amazing!” said Georgia. “I love how you begin with only one vocal line and chords, and it gradually builds… and throughout the texture is constantly changing which keeps it interesting to listen to.”
“Brilliant,” said SuRie. “Such a beautiful clear story with great commercial harmonisation and fantastic use of melodic patterns, creating a catchy hooky topline.”
In the School Years 7-9 category, it was a surprise double first for Quincy Mastin. Quincy, who goes to the Bishop’s Stortford College, scooped the category top prize for the second year running for his song Let Me Down, after holding out against stiff competition from an impressive list of entries.
“Really cool,” said SuRie. “This has personality, grit, authenticity, a unique voice. Tight production and emotional depth. Great work!”
“This immediately grabbed me as a listener,” said Josie. “I loved your haunting lyrics and melodic line set against an incredibly cool rhythmic accompaniment. Keep writing – you have a real talent here. Well done!”
For the first time, a band rather than an individual songwriter won one of the three coveted top prizes. The 406’s, a 4-piece outfit from the Bishop’s Stortford College, secured the winning spot in the senior category (School Years 10-13) for an impressive jazz entry called Life Goes On.
“Love the jazzy vibe and the range used in your topline that makes the chorus shine,” said SuRie. “This made me bop and smile, thank you!”
“Some lovely rhythmic patterns driving the piece forwards in the drums, and a fantastic chorus that just feels joyous,” said Josie. “I can hear Jamie Cullum influences and enjoyed this song immensely.” “I love the feel of this and it’s just so much fun!” said Georgia.
The band – made up of (l-r) Alfred Middleton (drums), Keir Sullivan (guitar), Peter Teare (vocals/keyboards), Sebastian Lane-Watkins (sax), was put together three years ago on a school music trip and is named after the number of the room the two founding members were allocated:
“We needed a drummer and singer so we grabbed the first we found and the rest is history!”
