Fylde song writer announced as winner of annual song writing contest after two months of entries, shortlists and performances
SimonCox, an accountant, who lives and works in Lytham-St-Annes, wrote the winning song ‘Golden Days’ to raise funds for a local charity. His song will be performed by the school choirs from across Lancashire who make it to the County Final of the Last Choir Singing Choir Competition, at King George’s Hall in Blackburn, on 15th June 2018.
Song writers from across the UK entered the contest – both amateur and professional. The judging panel included Steve Balsamo (prolific singer/songwriter); Chris Eaton (songwriter including Cliff Richard’s ‘Saviour’s Day’); and Margaret Foxley (Jessica Foxley Music Projects), who whittled down all the entries to six. These were then performed in front of a live audience by international vocalist, Duncan Heather, and guitarist, Drew Palmer, on Friday 24th November, on BBC Radio Lancashire’s John Gillmore Show.
After a week of public voting, the winner was announced by True Bearing Chairman, George Critchley, live on air, on Monday 4th December.
When interviewed, Simon Cox said, “I wrote the song ‘Golden Days’ with the aim of recording the song to raise money for Brian House, which both my wife and I have been involved with for over 10 years. They have a specialist unit within Trinity Hospice specialising in palliative care for children. This charity is close to my heart and the prize has given me a professionally recorded song by Duncan Heather and will be available on ITunes to purchase. This will now give me the platform to raise the £5,000 target I set myself.”
Project Manager, Anita Shaw, said, “It has been an incredible opportunity for anyone with musical ambitions. We were delighted with the response to this year’s song writing contest and are astonished by how much talent there is out there. Congratulations to Simon Cox. We wish him all the best with his future musical ambitions and his fund raising for Brian House and do hope he can join us on 15th June 2018 to hear the choirs sing ‘Golden Days’. The title and words of the song are very appropriate. When we see the excitement and joy of the children on stage and hear their comments, we know they will remember these events for the rest of their lives. These are their golden days. ”
The Last Choir Singing Choir Competition is a great opportunity for junior school children throughout the region to showcase their skills in a supportive and fun environment. Last year’s competition was won by Shakespeare Primary School from Fleetwood. It was a huge success with around 2,000 children taking part. This year, 62 schools will take part, in 7 Regional Heats, at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Westholme Senior School, Blackburn, and the Muni Theatre in Colne, which proves that music education is thriving in Lancashire.
