NZ’s Silver Scroll Awards turn 50

This year’s APRA Silver Scroll Award – New Zealand’s most prestigious night for achievements in the craft of songwriting – celebrates its golden anniversary on Thursday September 17 at Vector Arena in Auckland.

The winner and five finalists are decided by APRA’s 10,000 New Zealand songwriter and composer members. Entries are first narrowed to a longlist of 20 by a panel of five high profile APRA members.

Also presented on the night are the APRA Maioha Award, the SOUNZ Contemporary Award, the APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award, the APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award and the Most Performed New Zealand Work awards – both within NZ and internationally. The inductions to the NZ Music Hall of Fame are also announced on the night.

The first Silver Scroll was won in 1965 by Wayne Kent-Healey for his song Teardrops. Since then, winners included Ray Columbus, Sharon O’Neill, Dave Dobbyn, Hammond Gamble, Shona Laing, Don McGlashan, Bic Runga, Chris Knox, Neil Finn, Aaron Young, Alisa Xayalith & Thom Powers of The Naked And Famous, Brooke Fraser, Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde) & Joel Little and, last year, Tami Nielson & Joshua Nielson.

“For the last 50 years, the APRA Silver Scroll Award has provided a centrepiece for the New Zealand music industry,” said APRA AMCOS’ Anthony Healey. “It has recognised the hard work, genius and magic of some of New Zealand’s most loved songwriters and their songs — songs that are now woven into the fabric of New Zealand life and culture. We are extremely proud to be celebrating New Zealand music for the 50th year.”

Image:Ella Yelich-O'Connor and Joel Little at the 2013 APRA Silver Scroll Awards