The results for the songwriting prize are as follows:

• 1st prize to Dimitris Androniadis for ‘Travel’
• 2nd prize to Max Knight for ‘Velvet Shoes‘ 
• 3rd prize jointly to Thomas Eeckhout for ‘Eldorado‘ 
  and to Nicholas Gawley for ‘Velvet Shoes‘

Our judges, Robert Saxton, Nigel Foster and Stephen Gutman had a lively and productive discussion, and we thank them very much indeed for their efforts.

Our judges had a lively and productive discussion, and we thank them very much indeed for their efforts. They described Dimitris Androniadis’ winning song as highly imaginative, with brilliant train music, and Max Knights’ second-placed song as giving a feeling of walking through snow, with lovely word-setting. Nicholas Gawley’s setting of ‘Velvet Shoes’ was praised for effective piano textures and a great atmosphere of wonder, beauty and tenderness, while Thomas Eekhout’s ‘El Dorado’ was admired for its pleasing simplicity, and an idiom that is perfect for the poem.

We therefore have 4 songs for performance in our Prizewinners’ Concert, (Friday 18 September 2026) and I will discuss with Will in due course who will sing them. Sometimes a prizewinner or two takes them on, but often they are sung by our very own professionals! I’m already looking forward to hearing them. 

PS: Please contact secretary@aofess.org.uk for contact details of these composers.
__________________________
Report by Lynda Morgan, Leonard Competition Organiser 2026, and Trustee of WordSong