A talented Newcastle songstress is on cloud nine after being named a finalist in a national competition.
Eve Stanton’s song Clouds was entered into the Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) National Songwriting Competition after she took out the top gong in St Pius X High School’s inaugural songwriting tournament earlier this year.
The ACMF is a not-for-profit that inspires creativity and imagination by providing weekly music education classes and instruments to disadvantaged children and youth at risk throughout Australia.
Each year, students from schools nation-wide are invited to put pen to paper and enter their original song in ACMF’s annual competition.
Winners receive prize-money, which can be allocated towards musical equipment or tuition.
Reflecting on her achievement, Eve says she is honoured and hopes that the song resonates with her peers.Â
“I feel proud to know that my song has reached so many people because it has a positive message in it,” she says.
A Year 8 student at the Adamstown high school, Eve wrote the song in response to St Pius’ song-writing theme, ‘The current situation the world is facing and how you feel about it.’
“There were a few aspects of quarantine that inspired me,” Eve says.
“You realise many things when you are stuck inside; you start to feel different, which can affect the way you think.”
Although written during lockdown, Eve says the song has universal meaning.Â
“Clouds has a positive message. Everyone goes through the difficult times, but you don’t have to go through them alone.”
As the winner of St Pius’ song competition, Eve had the opportunity to record Clouds in the school’s recording studio, as well as a film clip.Â
In the film clip, Eve features with an orange ribbon tied to her wrist, which she hopes reinforces the message of freedom expressed in the lyrics.
While Eve has enjoyed writing songs for several years, she enjoyed the chance to work with other students to help develop the melody, heard in the backing soundtrack.
“My favourite aspect of winning St Pius’ competition has been learning so many new things; I have always been interested in how music programs work, recording and producing, so it’s been great to experience this firsthand,” Eve says.
“I’m grateful to have received such wonderful support from my school, and to have placed so well in the ACMF competition, which was a humbling achievement.”
