schedule, Awards & Prizes

Wow! This year SongFest has $2,500, plus heaps of trophies to award our best singers! Check it out…

Changes for 2024 highlighted in GREEN.
Note: 16 to 18 years includes 18-year-olds who are still attending secondary school.

 Class       Age Group  
OWN SELECTION
 1     Under 8 years (Janine Crawford Cup)
 2     8 and under 10 years (Doreen Donovan Cup)
 3    10 and under 12 years (Glenise Law Cup)
 4    12 and under 14 years (Marj Mowat Trophy)

NOVICE OWN SELECTION (classes reinstated, revised age groups)
 7     Under 12 years (Trophy)
 8    12 and under 15 years (Trophy)
 9    15 to 18 years (Trophy)

 ACTION SONG IN CHARACTER
12     Under 8 years (Ivy Angow Cup)
13     8 and under 10 years (Arthur Rackley Memorial Cup)
14    10 and under 12 years (Hishon Family Cup)
15    12 and under 14 years (Donovan Memorial Cup)
16    14 years and over (Clark Family Memorial Trophy)

MUSICAL THEATRE SONG
Any song from a stage show or musical film production
17      Under 12 years (Bird Family Trophy)
18     12 and under 14 years (Moira Shanks Memorial Trophy)
19     14 and under 16 years (Gladys Hope Cup)
20     16 to 18 years (Kelly Boys Cup)
NATIONAL SONG
Any composition with no known composer, with a distinctive national character of any country
22      8 and under 10 years (Joy Eggers Cup)
23     10 and under 12 years (John MacDonald Cup)
24     12 and under 14 years (Society Challenge Bowl)
25     14 and under 16 years
26     16 to 18 years

SACRED SONG (Classes 27 – 29 Not from Oratorio)
27      8 and under 10 years (Muriel Herbert Cup)
28     10 and under 12 years (G.W. Pledger Memorial Trophy)
29     12 and under 14 years (Angow Cup)
30     14 and under 16 years (Herbert Tray)
31     16 to 18 years (Rosemary Turnball Cup)

POPULAR SONG
Any song that was popular in its time to be sung in its original style, e.g. The Beatles’ “Yesterday”. No songs allowed from Musical Theatre: please see Classes 17, 18, 19 and 20.
36      Under 10 years (Melrose Cup)
37     10 and under 12 years (Fennessey Cup)
38     12 and under 14 years (Mitchell Smith Memorial Trophy)
39     14 and under 16 years (McMorran Trophy)
40     16 to 18 years (Rackley Memorial Trophy)

SONG BY A NZ COMPOSER
41     10 and under 12 years (Cockburn Cup)
42     12 and under 14 years (Sister Mary Berchmans Cup)
43     14 and under 16 years (Judith Borick Cup)
44     16 to 18 years (Green Island Competition Society Trophy)

 VOCAL DUET
45     18 years and under (Sydney Brinsley Cups, 1 & 2)

 VOCAL DUET IN CHARACTER
47     Under 12 years (Natalie Ellis Cup & Muriel White Cup)
48     12 years and over (Jackson-Telfer Cups)

SCHOLARSHIP RECITAL (2 contrasting Classical songs)
50     14 and under 16 years (1st - Rowena Nisbet Cup and $100; 2nd - $70; 3rd - $40)
51     16 to 18 years (1st - Music Teachers' Trophy and $150; 2nd - $100; 3rd - $50)

CLEVELAND RECITAL (3 contrasting songs)
 Own Selection
 Song in a language other than English
 20th Century English Language Art Song OR Song from Musical Theatre

 54     18 and under 21 years (1st: $400; 2nd: $300; 3rd: $200)

VOCAL PERFORMANCE (Non-competitive, no prizes or placings)
Own selection, solo, duo, group, classical or contemporary, acapella or with acoustic accompaniment or non-vocal backing track. Please refer to rules regarding accompaniment.
66     Under 21 years

CONTEMPORARY SONG
Any song in any style or genre that is written, recorded for commercial release, and performed now or in the recent past. Not Musical Theatre or Classical. The singing performance must be authentic to the genre (Jazz, R&B, Pop, etc.) and unique to the singer (not impersonating a performer).

70     Under 12 years (1st - Bird Family Trophy and $30)
71     12 and under 15 years (1st - Effie Cockburn Cup and $50)

CONTEMPORARY RECITAL

Two contrasting songs. In an exception for this class only, one song may be from Musical Theatre. 

72     15 to 18 years (1st - Telfer Aria Cup and $150; 2nd $100; 3rd $50)

WAIATA
Solo performance only.
80     Under 12 years (1st Trophy and $50; 2nd: $35; 3rd: $20)
81     12 to 18 years (1st Trophy and $75; 2nd: $50; 3rd: $30)

SPECIAL PRIZES:

At the end of the Festival, the Adjudicator awards special prizes. These prizes are solely the choice of the Adjudicator, and are not necessarily based on prizes already won, aggregates or any other criteria. The Adjudicator awards these prizes to those singers in whom they have seen "something special" or have been impressed by a performance, personality or character.

  • Best Unbroken Voice: Ashley Benson Cup & $50

  • Most Entertaining in Character: Erin Pickering Trophy & $50

  • Most Promising Singer: VJ Crimp Trophy & $50

  • Most Improved Singer: Melrose Cup & $50

  • Encouragement Award: Under 12 years 60th Anniversary Cup & $50

  • Encouragement Award: 12 years and over70th Anniversary Trophy & $50

  • Most Promising Stage Presence: Margaret O’Cain Trophy & $50

SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIPS:

  • Class 52 Most points across Classes 3, 23, 28 (Own Selection, National Song, Sacred Song) 10 & under 12 years: Florence Griffen Cup & $100

  • Class 53 Most points across Classes 4, 24, 29 (Own Selection, National Song, Sacred Song) 12 & under 14 years: Glenys Fraser Cup & $150

SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL AWARD:

Awarded by the Festival organising Committee to the singer who best exemplifies good character, gracious conduct and friendly behaviour towards fellow contestants.

Certificate & $50

DUNEDIN ENTERTAINERS’ CLUB SCHOLARSHIPS:

Open to Dunedin residents only. Winners will receive their scholarships after they have performed at a Dunedin Entertainer's Club Concert in June/July. This is a requirement of the scholarship.

  • 10 & under 12 years $100

  • 12 & under 14 years $100

  • 14 & under 16 years $100