We are thrilled to announce that talented singer-songwriter, Isla Campbell (Year 9), has reached the finals of the prestigious Song Academy Young Songwriter competition (8-12 year old category) with her beautiful song, Did I.   

This year’s competition attracted over 1,000 entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18 across the world. The top 3 finalists of all categories will be announced on the 1st June and the winners will be announced on the 29th June.

Isla reflected: “My experience on the whole was amazing. The process of writing the song was thoroughly enjoyable and the concert was such a great experience to try something different. I loved performing in front of a live audience, and it has definitely been an experience in which my confidence has increased alot!

“I started writing songs in around Year 5. A few of my friends and I created a mini choir/band, and we would write our own (very short) songs and perform them to our friends. It was only at the start of the second lockdown where I started writing proper songs, and using the garage band platform to create the music to bind it all together.

“The song, Did I was written in lockdown after I wrote a poem about a bully I had in a previous school. It was based on the feelings I felt about what had happened, and how it still affected me. Although that was the main base of what the song is about, I like to think it can be interpreted in different ways, according to how the listener feels when they hear the lyrics.

Mrs McKinnell (Music Teacher) said: “We are extremely proud of Isla for her fantastic achievement, being selected as a finalist in the prestigious Young Songwriter 2021 competition. This competition gives a wonderful opportunity for young people to express themselves through music, honing techniques in composition and vocal skills along the way. With the finalists that were chosen by a panel of star judges, including Tom Odell and Midge Ure, being described as standing out for their ‘creativity, invention and courage with lyrics’ and illuminating the judge’s imaginations, this is something to be really proud of. We look forward to watching a live performance of Isla’s song very soon.”

Listen to the beautiful rendition of Did I here.