Monash University Popular Music Songwriting Prize

Past Winners:
2020 – Liv Mirrington – Futurity tree
2021 – Mia Pisano – Springtime is my man
2022 – Nichola Ingvarson-Favretto – People pleaser
2023 – Jesse Forde & Mia Pisano – Beneath the Soil
2024 - Jasmine Jones - Take me to court  
2025 - Elkie Kershaw - A Failed Teaspoon Collection

ABOUT

This prize will be awarded to the composer(s)/lyricist(s) of the submission, for the best written song and video presentation.

All videos will also be considered for inclusion in a special segment on Season 5 of By Popular Demand.

AWARD

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

  • Award First prize ($1000)
  • Award Second prize ($600)
  • Award Remaining finalists ($150)

ELIGIBILITY

Entry Requirements:

  • Entrants must be enrolled in the BMus degree specialising in Popular Music.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The awards involves three stages:

Stage One – The Submission
Entrants must submit two digital files:

  • File 1. A lyric sheet of the submitted song in PDF format. The lyric sheet must contain a list of all songwriting contributors (songs may have multiple writes to apply for this award) and the year of copyright.
  • File 2. A recording of the song (either studio or live) with accompanying video for broadcast at the awards event and on the Popular Music YouTube platform (.mov or .mp4 format). Audio only will not be accepted.
  • The songwriter(s) does/do not need to be the performers.
  • The video presentation may be lip-synched, as in a ‘music video-clip’

IMPORTANT!! Checklist

  • Both required files have been submitted.
  • Song is an original work written by one or more Monash Popular Music students enrolled in any of the semester 2 Popular Music specialisation units (i.e. ATS1073/2273/3273).
  • Lyric sheet displays all contributing songwriters and the title of song.
  • Video contains a list of credits of all contributors (arrangers, producers, engineers, performers, videographers, hair stylists, dog sitters etc.).
  • All files have been saved in a Monash student Google drive folder and the link shared with the convenor of Popular Music (rod.davies@monash.edu).
  • All files are labelled correctly (see below).
    NOTE: Applicant must ensure that they have completed all of the above check boxes. Otherwise their submission may not be eligible.

Submissions (PDF files and video) must be labelled in the following format:
SURNAME INITIAL MUPM 2025 (e.g. JONES B MUPM2026) and the Google Drive link emailed to: rod.davies@monash.edu

All copyright ownership of the compositions will remain with the songwriter.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The deadline for all entries is Monday 7th September 11:55pm.

The top eight finalists will be short listed and notified by email by Friday 18 September 2026.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Stage Two – The Selection Process  
All qualifying submissions will be shortlisted by a panel consisting of two Popular Music staff members. Each of the awards will then be determined by an industry guest judge. This year – Nai Palm.

The selection criteria is as follows:
Songwriting craft:

  • Strength of lyric, melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic content
  • Presents a complete structure and form that complements the narrative
  • Originality and innovation

Audio/Visual presentation:

  • Impacts and engages the listener/viewer
  • Presents an authentic artistic expression of the entrant’s composition
  • Demonstrates a complete outcome in terms of songwriting, performance and production

The song must be written entirely by the competition applicant(s).  
NEW RULE: There is a limit of 3 submissions per entrant: one as sole songwriter and/or two as co-writer.  
The production may be assisted by persons from outside the university, however it is highly recommended to collaborate with students in the BMus at Monash.  
The performance must be less than 5 minutes in duration.
The judges' decisions are final in all respects.

Stage Three – The Awards Ceremony  
Thursday 1 October 2026 (1-2pm)
Monash Popular Music Songwriting Awards presentation
With video appearance by guest judge, Nai Palm

The winner and runner up will have the chance to support Nai Palm at their concert at Monash's Alexander Theatre on October 16th.

IMPORTANT DATES

Applications due: Monday 7 September 2026, 11.55pm
Notification of application outcome:  Friday 18 September 2026

INQUIRIES

Dr Rod Davies, rod.davies@monash.edu.