DEPOT Sound is thrilled to announce the 6th annual Schools Songwriting Competition, now bigger than ever — expanding from the North Shore to include all Intermediate and Secondary students across Tāmaki Makaurau!

This competition has always been about celebrating young voices, creativity, and the power of original music. This year, we’re taking things a step further.

We’ve invited an international panel of judges from across the music industry, including:

• Aminé Ramer – Film and TV Music Supervisor based between Los Angeles and Auckland
• Samatha Santoyo – Music Publisher and Sync Agent from Koze Music in Los Angeles
• AJ Weaver – Founder of Cosmic Jelly Music in Los Angeles

The winning songs won’t just stay local — they’ll have the chance to be heard on the world stage. Winners will receive two days of free professional recording time at DEPOT Sound and will also have the option to be represented by Koze Music (Los Angeles), one of the leading sync agencies in the world. That means the finished songs could be pitched for placement in film, TV, video games, and advertising campaigns worldwide.

The DEPOT Sound Schools Songwriting Competition is about more than just prizes — it’s about creating opportunities, building confidence, and connecting young songwriters with real industry pathways.

📅 DATES

Entries close: Sunday, 26 October 2025
Winners announced: November 2025

🎵 DIVISIONS

Junior: Years 7–10
Senior: Years 11–13

🏆 PRIZES

1st place in each division: Two days of professional studio recording at DEPOT Sound
Runner-up in each division: One day of studio recording at DEPOT Sound

This is your chance to record in a professional studio and have your song repped by a sync agent in Los Angeles – we can’t wait to hear your songs!

📩 HOW TO ENTER

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please read the competition Terms & Conditions before uploading your submission.

• The Writers (composers & lyricists) must be:
  • Resident in New Zealand.
  • School-aged individuals, under 20 years of age, or attending Intermediate or Secondary level education in New Zealand.
  • Students from various educational settings including public, private, homeschooling, and alternative education programs.

• The work must be an original popular song. It must NOT be an arrangement or adaptation of a traditional non-copyright work or any other original work.

• Entries – The following will be required:
  • Completion of an official entry form.
  • An mp3, m4a, WAV or AIFF file uploaded of the work nominated.
  • Entries must be received by DEPOT Sound no later than Sunday 26th October 2025.

• General
  • Only ONE song may be submitted on an official entry form by or on behalf of any one writer and must comply with conditions 1 and 2.
  • The exception being a writer in a band may also submit a solo work.
  • The song and the recording of the song can be performed and played by anyone as long as it is on a non-professional basis. It is not necessary for the writer(s) to feature on the recording.
  • All decisions of the judges will be binding on DEPOT Sound and the entrants.
  • In the event of more than one writer having collaborated in writing a competition winning work, the relevant prize will be allocated equally between the writers.
  • DEPOT Sound shall have the right to interpret the above conditions and to determine all issues arising out of this contest. Any such interpretations and determinations shall be final.
  • Unless specifically requested the copies of the entry recordings and lyrics will be retained by DEPOT Sound.
  • The entrant shall grant permission for replication, mechanical reproduction, broadcast, internet streaming and downloading and communication of the recording of the song to the public.
  • DEPOT Sound will have the right to print the name and likeness of any entrant in publicity in respect of the competition and all matter incidental thereto.
  • The entrant agrees to be bound by DEPOT Sound’s entry procedures, rules and regulations established in this entry form. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.