Nadia Goes National in Final of Song Writing Competition

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Local music teacher beat 6,000 other entries to achieve coveted title

Local songwriter and music teacher Nadia Cripps has beaten more than 6,000 other entries to make it to the final of the UK’s Song Writing Contest.

Now in its seventh year, the UK Songwriting Contest is dedicated to promoting the art of songwriting and the discovery of new talent. All entries are very carefully examined by experienced industry professionals and everyone has the chance to get noticed. According to the competition organizers, the music industry follow the event closely and past winners and finalists have been noticed by big music names including Sir Paul McCartney and Simon Cowell.

Nadia told ChiswickW4.com “I entered twelve songs into UK Songwriting Contest because I hoped to get those songs noticed. Unfortunately when I send my songs to publishers they don't really have time to listen as there are so many people doing exactly the same thing that publishers get 100 songs a day and all they can do is maybe listen to 30 seconds of a song and only one song at that. In song writing competitions judges will listen to the whole song and so I know that my music is getting a proper hearing.”

She continued “Of course not all competitions are the same but I have high regards for the UK Song Writing Contest. They make sure they send a confirmation to each participant and they send emails about the progress of the contest. This year one of the songs I entered reached the finals and scored 8 out of 10.

“My song which made to finals is called "Gone With The Wave" and it was composed following the Tsunami tragedy in S.E.Asia. I wrote lyrics and then I wrote the music to it.

“Julia Dewhurst, who was at the time a Music teacher at Belmont School sang it for me, and I recorded the song onto tape as I don't have a professional equipment for recording my songs. Julia has a wonderful voice and she is happy to work with a composer, so I felt very happy she kindly agreed to record some of my songs.”

This year the contest attracted more entries than ever before which meant that the judges had to postpone publishing the results for almost a month.

“Being a finalist means, according to the contest judges, that my song beat around 6,000 other entries to achieve that position.” Nadia hope that this recognition will help her achieve a higher profile for her songs.

“I'm a piano teacher,” says Nadia. “I often prepare my students for exams. Part of the requirements is to understand music features and answer questions about the style and music language. I often play my music among other compositions for the music appreciation lessons and I often get interest towards my compositions which suggests to me that if my students say they like the songs (I don't tell them they are mine before I play them and I only tell them they are mine if they ask who wrote the music) may be some other people would like my music too and may be one day some singers would be happy to sing my songs.”

The UK Song Writing Contest was formed in 2002 with The BRIT Trust (of BRIT Awards fame) to encourage and promote the art of songwriting. The contest is supported by some of the most highly respected names in music including BBC Radio, Music Aid, the BRIT School, The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers, The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, The International Song Copyright Agency, Sibelius, Broadjam, Virtual Studio Systems, Backbeat Books and many other leading music industry professionals, organisations and companies.

September 9, 2008