N.Z. song contest entrant sought

Press, 20 November 1987, Page 19

N.Z. song contest entrant sought

Television New Zealand’s Head of Entertainment, Chris Bourn, has announced plans for a "Song for the Pacific" contest to find a New Zealand representative for the Asian Broadcasting Union (A.8.U.) Song Contest to be held in Seoul, Korea, next year. Entry forms can be obtained from TVNZ or Radio New Zealand reception desks and the

winner stands to collect a cash prize of $5OOO. If successful at the A.B.U. contest as well, the winning composer could pick' up a further SUSIO.OOO in prize money. The top eight New Zealand songs will be performed in a telecast from the James Hay Theatre, Christchurch, next May, and then judged “live” by panels of judges In various parts of the country.

“They will be judged by the very people who determine what songs become popular — the public," says Mr Bourn, people who wish to net as judges should write to Mr Bourn at TVNZ’s Avalon studios. Early next year ho will be choosing 15 people in each of six regions to undertake the task. Mr Bourn, who has judged at song contests in Asia and Canada, as well

as chairing the judging panel for the Pacific Song Contests in the late 1970 s has a few hints for bUd ding composers. "The song must be able to be performed internationally," he says, "and therefore it must not be patriotic. It should not exceed three minutes in duration,” Entries in the "Song for the Pacific" contest close on January 29.