Sisters in Double Win at NZ Pro-Life Songwriting Contest
Record entries in the 4th Voice for Life National Pro-Life Song-writing Contest saw sisters Rachel (Auckland) and Maria (Kaitaia) Schryvers take out first place in the “Open” and “College/Tertiary” categories respectively. Coming from a family where each of nine siblings learned various musical instruments the wins are the first for them in a national competition.Fifty entries from around N.Z. – even one from Australia – reduced to 12 for the Finals Night on December 3rd at Auckland’s Greenlane Christian Centre assured the audience ofapproximately 250 of high quality performances in both categories. Judges Susan Elliott, Louise Lumsden and Robert Loretz admitted to great difficulty in choosing the winners and place-getters.Second in the “Open” category was Philip van der Wel (Hamilton) and third, Ivonga Green (Auckland) In the “College/Tertiary” category, Naomi Ludlow (Tauranga) was second and Eliza Benge (Lower Hutt) was third.Contest Organiser and Chairman of Voice for Life Bay of Plenty Charitable Trust, Don Brebner, was pleased at the number and quality of the Entrants. “Considering that a condition of entry is that song themes must in some way reflect respect for life – can be at any age or stage from conception to natural death – this contest is neither a straight singing competition nor a talent quest. The judges must look for that unique combination of meaningful message and original melody that can inspire an audience.”Mr. Brebner also noted that the collaboration between the Tauranga-based Trust, and the National body, Voice for Life Inc., had led to an excellent first performance in Auckland.Keen to write a song themed to ‘respect for life’, which conveys your hopes and values to others? Then the annual Voice for Life song-writing challenge could be for you.