A new songwriting competition, ‘Songs for Social Justice Award’ is being launched by Celtic Connections and the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust.
Alistair was a songwriter, singer and campaigner for social justice who died in January 2010 and this competition follows the sell out tribute concert at Celtic Connections in January this year with Dick Gaughan, Roy Bailey, Karine Polwart and many others.
The competition is open to songwriters and musicians from across the UK and is for songs that promote equality and social justice. The judges include Peggy Seeger, Roy Bailey and Karine Polwart. The winners of the award will perform at the 2012 Alistair Hulett Tribute Concert at Celtic Connections and receive a cash prize.
Entries should be on a CD with an accompanying lyrics sheet and should be sent to The Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust, 19 Millar Grove, Hamilton, ML3 9BF. The closing date for entries is 26 October 2011.
For more information email please either leave a comment below, use the contact form, email alistair.hulett@googlemail.com or phone 0141 429 5276.
What a great idea. This deserves to be well supported.
Many thanks Jim.
Do I hear a song coming on?
John.
I had decided some time ago that I would enter no more writing contests but with this…
on its way in the next few days, John.
Do songs have to be new/unpublished ? Any other rules or restrictions ?
There must be many writers who, like me, were inspired by Alistair and I am sure this competition will be a worthy and successful memorial to him.
Henry
Hello Henry,
Songs have to be new and unpublished, there are no other restrictions as long as you live in the UK and are available to perform your song at Celtic Connections on the 28th of January 2012. Travel and hotel will be paid for if required.
Many thanks,
John Hamill.
It is a great news for songwriting persons and poets. I was waiting for such contests, Excellent.
A new songwriting competition ‘Songs for Social Justice Award’. is being launched by Celtic Connections and the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust.
Alistair was a songwriter, singer and campaignerfor social justice who died in January 2009 and this competition follows thesell out tribute concert at Celtic Connections in January this year with DickGaughan, Roy Bailey, Karine Polwart and many others.
The competition is open to songwriters and musicians from across the UK and is for a new unreleased song written for the competition that promotes equality and social justice. The judges include Peggy Seeger, Roy Bailey and Karine Polwart. The winners of the award will perform at the 2012 Alistair Hulett Tribute Concert at Celtic Connections in the Royal Concert Hall Glasgow and receive a cash prize of £100.
Entries should be on a CD with an accompanying lyrics sheet and should be sent to John Hamill,The Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust, 19 Millar Grove, Hamilton, ML3 9BF. The closing date for entries is 26 October.
Is there any chance of the Memorial Fund in Oz doing something similar to honour his immense contribution to music and social justice on this Continent? I would be keen to help spread the word.
Jo Hibbert.
Hi Jo,
I will pass on your request to The Alistair Hulett Memorial Fund in Australia. I am sure they have a number of events in the pipeline.
Best wishes.
While listening to Graham Chalton’s program online from UCA radio I heard about the “Songs for Social Justice” competition. So, one must live in the UK to enter? Is it a hard and fast rule?
Burl Dunn (me Ma’s name was Gilliland)
USA
Hi Burl,
I hope you enjoyed the radio broadcast. The song competition this time round is limited to UK entrants purely for logistical reasons and the time scale we were working to.
The AHMT are paying for travel and accommodation for the winner and we have limited funds available to enable us to open the competition internationally.
Hopefully next year we will consider opening the competition to all. The Alistair Hulett Memorial Fund in Australia may be running their own song writing competition early next year which may well cover a greater geographical area.
Best wishes to you,
John.