Mcglashan Wins Prestigious Apra Silver Scroll

Wednesday 20 September

Don Mcglashan Wins Prestigious Apra Silver Scroll Award

Don McGlashan has won New Zealand's most prestigious music award - the APRA Silver Scroll.

The award for the song ‘Bathe in the River’ was presented to Don by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Helen Clark at an exclusive ceremony, hosted by Marcus Lush, tonight at the Auckland Town Hall.

“Bathe in the River is an absolute classic. It’s a song that remains true to its soulful traditions and one that captures the hearts and emotions of everyone that hears it,” says APRA's Director of NZ Operations, Anthony Healey.

“It shows the wonderful talents of a fine songwriter...all Don's music is emotive and powerful and this song is no exception."

It’s the second time Don has won NZ’s pre-eminent song writing prize after winning in 1994 with ‘Anchor Me’. This year, Don was also nominated for his song ‘Miracle Sun’.

The four other finalist songs were -

Dann Hume, Jon Hume, Peter Hume (Evermore) – ‘Running’ James Milne (Lawrence Arabia and The Reduction Agents) – ‘The Pool’ Don McGlashan – ‘Miracle Sun’ Anika Moa– ‘Stolen Hill’

The Silver Scroll Award has been presented since 1965. An anonymous panel of judges considers only the creative distinction of the song and assesses both musical and lyrical content in equal proportion.

“Don has synthesized these gospel elements to give us song-writing in its purest form,” says one judge from the panel, which remains anonymous.

In what is always a highlight of the APRA Silver Scroll awards evening, the finalist songs were performed and interpreted by their musical contemporaries - the line up kept under wraps until the awards ceremony. With more than 60 performers across musical genres, guests enjoyed performances of ….

The Mint Chicks “Stolen Hill ", Spacifix 'The Pool, The Tutts “Miracle Sun”, North Shore Pony Club featuring Aaradhna “ Running” and The Jubilation Choir with Russell Harrison and Anthony Gold “Bathe in the River”.

Guests were also treated to a 2006 version of ‘Poi – E’ performed by the Patea Maori Club with P-Money and 4Corners.

Four other awards were presented tonight. They were -

2005 APRA Maioha Award (presented for the best Maori waiata of the year) – presented to Richard Bennett for his waiata ‘E Hine’. Wai 100% performed a version of the waiata during the evening.

2005 SOUNZ Contemporary Award (recognising creative excellence by a NZ composer) was presented to Ross Harris for ‘Symphony No.2’. Nathan Haines Quartet with Hamish McKeich performed an arrangement of Harris’ piece.

2005 Most Performed Work in New Zealand – James Reid (The Feelers) for ‘Stand Up’.

2005 Most Performed Work Overseas – Neil Finn for ‘Don’t Dream it’s Over”.

Mushroom Music NZ Ltd publishes James Reid and Neil Finn. Native Tongue Music Publishing publishes Don McGlashan.

APRA is a non-profit organisation administering the rights of the world’s composers, songwriters and publishers in Australasia. APRA represents over 42,000 writers and publishers through direct membership, with close to 6,000 members, and over 2 million writers and publishers throughout the world under reciprocal agreements with other service organisations.

ENDS

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