Entries for the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition are now open. - MusicNSW

In conjunction with APRA AMCOS, Alberts and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA), the competition will see one lucky songwriter or group of songwriters win $50,000.

Up to $10,000 is up for grabs for the runner up, and $5000 for the third placer.

This year Sydney group The Preatures (and 2013 prize winners) are donating a new encouragement award of $2000.

“Winning the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition was such a huge leg-up for us, and we wanted to show our thanks and support by helping the next wave of applicants with this encouragement award,” frontwoman Isabella Manfredi said.

“It is a great honour for APRA AMCOS to support this competition because of what it achieves,” Brett Cottle, the chief executive of APRA AMCOS, added in a statement. “First, the fantastic work of Nordoff-Robbins and their music therapy is supported and they can continue to bring music into the world of people who get real benefits from it. Secondly, the opportunity for talented songwriters to be recognised and also get some help in the next stage of their career.”

Entry to the 2014 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition costs you $50, and closes September 22.

For more information about the competition, see APRA AMCOS’ website.