The Henwood Family Prize for Emerging Artists

Rules and Application Process

• The application process requires providing accessible links (GoogleDrive, iCloud, etc.) for materials as requested. Note: Links provided should not require request for file access.
• Where a song submitted involves one or more co-writers, all co-writers must be listed on the application and only one of these is to be indicated as the designated entrant for the contest.
• Entrants will require parent/guardian permission (if under age 19) including name and contact information, and permission of each co-writer (as applicable).
• The song submitted must have lyrics and be performable in a live setting.
• Lyrics may be in any language, however a translation must be provided for languages other than English or French.
• The entrant and all co-writers (as applicable) must be between 12 and 21 years of age as of the application deadline.
• The entrant and all co-writers (as applicable) must own 100% of the publishing rights to the song submitted.
• Songs will be judged by an independent panel of three professional songwriters, with focus on melody, composition, and lyric content. Consideration will be given towards a song’s suitability for live performance.
• The song will not be judged by the quality of the recording submitted.

Materials Requested

• Link to a recent photo of the (designated) entrant.
• Link to lyric sheet (complete lyrics).
• Link to lyric translation (as applicable, see below for more information.)
• Link to sheet music (as available).
• Link to a recording in any fashion (live or studio, solo or with band, audio only or audio and video) of the complete song as submitted.

Notification of Winning Entrant

• The winning entrant for this category will be notified via email
• They will be invited to attend the formal presentation of the award and $1,000 prize, as part of the Conservatory’s Annual Awards Day Celebration in Alix Goolden Performance Hall.

For more information, please contact Daniel Lapp, Artistic Director, The Chwyl Family School of Contemporary Music, Victoria Conservatory of Music
contemporary[at]vcm.bc.ca

Rules and Application Process

• The application process requires providing accessible links (GoogleDrive, iCloud, etc.) for materials as requested. Note: Links provided should not require request for file access.
• Where a song submitted involves one or more co-writers, all co-writers must be listed on the application and only one of these is to be indicated as the designated entrant for the contest.
• Entrants will require parent/guardian permission (if under age 19) including name and contact information, and permission of each co-writer (as applicable).
• Lyrics may be in any language, however a link to a Lyric Translation must be provided for languages other than English or French.
• The entrant and all performers involved must be between 12 and 21 years of age as of the application deadline.
• Round 1 applications will be adjudicated by the artistic director and faculty artists of the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Chwyl Family School of Contemporary Music. The top three entries will be shortlisted for Round Two.
• Performances will be judged on performer musicality, presentation, and delivery. E.g. The performance of all the musicians and their visual presentation will be considered.

Materials Requested

• Link to a recent photo of the Entrant.
• Link to a recent live continuous and unedited video recording of the featured song.
• Along with the video link, the application will also require inputting the song title, composer’s name, arranger’s name, lyricist (as applicable), and that the recording submitted is properly credited, including list of musicians in the recording, and when the recording was made.

Notifications

• Entrants selected for Round Two will be invited to perform live at the Victoria Conservatory of Music in the Alix Goolden Performance Hall in front of a panel jury.
• The winning entrant will be invited to perform at a live concert in the hall on as part of the Conservatory’s Awards Night. During the concert, they will be awarded a prize certificate and cash award of $1,000.

For more information, please contact Daniel Lapp, Artistic Director, The Chwyl Family School of Contemporary Music, Victoria Conservatory of Music
contemporary[at]vcm.bc.ca

2025
Best Original Song: Catalina Chapin
Best Performance of a Contemporary Song: Sóley Lapp

2024
Best Original Song: Raj Gaire
Best Performance of a Contemporary Song: Chris & John Horwood

2023- Celebrate Youth Award
1st Prize: Essencia Leandro (singer/songwriter/pianist)
2nd Prize: Tia Greenwood (contemporary/folk cellist and composer)