Winners Announced: 2025 Play It Strange Year 9-11 Junior Songwriting Competition

Play It Strange is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Junior Songwriting Competition for high school students in Year 9-11. This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 180 entries, reflecting the depth of creativity and musical talent among Aotearoa’s next generation of songwriters.

Each song was reviewed by our panel of four respected judges: Louis Baker, CHAII, Georgia Lines, and Mike Chunn. We are proud to share that from these entries; 45 outstanding songs were selected as winners.

All 45 winners receive a day in a professional recording studio of their choice to record their song, granting them the incredible opportunity to work alongside some of New Zealand’s most recognised producers and engineers. The recorded songs get released onto digital albums via Spotify and Bandcamp.

First place goes to Sienna Fitzgerald (pictured) (Year 10) with her song Sweetness. Sienna was a two-time finalist in last year’s competitions and continues to demonstrate remarkable songwriting ability with this moving track.

Guest judge, Louis Baker states:

“The winning song Sweetness is an exceptional song and performance. In Ten Years and Ballad of a Broken Poet are a strong second and third. I’m blown away by the songwriting talent of all the rangatahi this year – the future looks bright for the next generation of artists and songwriters coming out of Aotearoa.”

Guest judge, Georgia Lines states:

“It’s been so lovely listening through all the songs entered. I have loved them all! They are full of beautiful, powerful, emotive stories. I am so happy with the top 3 chosen!”

Sienna will also receive:

• A one-on-one mentoring session with Louis Baker
• A $500 Rockshop voucher
• An interview on 95bFM and their song aired on the radio
• A performance opportunity at the Play It Strange Annual Awards, including a full day of music industry mentoring.

Second place has been awarded to Isabella Bedoya (Year 10) for her song In Ten Years, who receives a $300 Rockshop voucher. Third place goes to Lucy Hassan (Year 10) for her song The Ballad of a Broken Poet, who receives a $200 Rockshop voucher.

All 45 finalists will become part of the Play It Strange alumni community, gaining access to performance opportunities, mentoring, ticket giveaways, backstage experiences, and lots more throughout the year!

Mike Chunn, Play It Strange founder and competition judge, says:

“The entries in the 2025 Junior Songwriting Competition have been a truly impressive array. We are finding the lyrics more sophisticated and the music more entwined with those words every year. Listening to them as they roll by is a truly wonderful experience.”

Play It Strange CEO, Stephanie Brown adds:

“Every year we receive stunning songs in this competition that surpass our expectations, and 2025 was no different. These songwriters are at such a pivotal point in their lives, and it has been a privilege to listen to how they express themselves. The honesty, vulnerability, and creativity has blown us away.

Whether you’re in Whangārei, Wellington or Timaru, you can write a song in your bedroom and have it heard by and commented on by musical legends like Mike Chunn, Georgia Lines, CHAII and Louis Baker. Moments like that can change a young artist’s life.”

About Play It Strange:

Established in 2003, Play it Strange runs annual national songwriting competitions for high school students, with finalists awarded a day in a recording studio to professionally record their songs. Play it Strange releases these songs onto digital albums and provides mentorship and performance opportunities to further develop young artists in Aotearoa. Their alumni list includes Kimbra, Georgia Nott of Broods, Liz Stokes of The Beths, Frankie Venter, Annah Mac, Louis Baker, CHAII, Luca George, Ratbag and so many more.