The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, in collaboration with the Lucille and Jack Yellen Foundation, have been awarding young songwriters opportunities to work with Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductees since 2013.  Our Hall of Fame musicians mentor and guide young songwriters to explore creative ideas and consider additional musical options that offer inventive choices for developing young individual’s musical potential.

 Two deserving recipients will receive award packages that include:

 

Creative Music Mentoring Session:

Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductees will meet with each songwriting winner for a one hour session. Winners will be able to ask questions regarding songwriting,
music inducstry challenges, platform exposure, etc. The opportunity to perform will also be provided.

 

Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Recognition:
Winning entries will be featured on the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Website and Facebook Page

Performance Opportunities:
Involvement at Buffalo Music Hall of Fame concert events

Professional Bookings:
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductee and professional concert promoter Eddie Tice will work with winners to schedule performances at local venues/music events

Workshop:
Free enrollment in Three2GoMusicAlliance Business of Music Workshop

Cash Prize:
2 - $500 cash awards will be distributed to winners in each of 2 categories – Single/Solo and Ensemble/Band

Who is eligible: Individuals age 13-18

All entries (official form along with MP3 and lyrics) must be emailed to: songwriter@bmhof.org

LUCILLE AND JACK YELLEN FOUNDATION SONGWRITER PAST RECIPIENTS

Lyndsay Munich (Lynz) (guitar and vocals)

 

 Chris Panfil (fiddle and mandolin), Mark Panfil (banjo), Jim Whitford (bass & pedal steel guitar), Mike Stamp (cajon & percussion) Justin Rose (mixing/engineering), Anthony Casuccio (mastering), Tom Lorentz (producer) "It was amazing to win the competition. I've been writing songs and doing home recordings for 5 years now and so winning this meant I got to record in a real studio for the first time. All the musicians really added a lot to the song and it was great to have Tom (Lorentz) as a producer. I really learned a lot since I'm used to doing everything myself. I would encourage any songwriter to submit their work for this competition. I would also say don't give up if you don't make it on your first try  – this was my second time submitting!"

Matt Connolly (Guitar, lead vocal and all backing vocals, song writer and arranger)

 

GCR Recording (Studio),

Piano:   Ken Kaufman (Piano), Jerry Livingston (Upright Bass), Howard Fleetwood Wilson II (Drums and percussion), Tom Lorentz (Producer), Justin Rose (Chief Engineer), Anthony Casuccio (Mastering Engineer) “Recording Wedding Dress at GCR was a great experience. The opportunity to work with such talented musicians and bring my song to life was so gratifying. I had a vision for Wedding Dress and I think we truly captured it in the studio that day.”

 

Ally Rose

 

When you team up Ken Kaufman (grand piano), Kenny Hawkins (lead guitar), Jerry Livingston (bass), Preston Brown (drums) and Wade Hawkins (keyboards) you have some of Buffalo’s A list of session players. Add a quality producer Tom Lorentz and an excellent engineer Mike Vealy, put them in an A list Studio Imagine Recording and you have a very talented team to produce the 2018 Lucille and Jack Yellen Foundation Songwriters Scholarship Recipient Ally Rose and her original song "BRAVE".

2017 Songwriter Scholarship Winner

2018 Songwriter Scholarship Winner

2019 Songwriter Scholarship Winner

2021 Songwriter Scholarship Winner

2016 Songwriter Scholarship Winner

Michael DeLano

 

Michael DeLano and his original composition " Undercover" took home the Lucille & Jack Yellen Songwirter's Scholarship. The Competition event was
held at The Imagine Event Center on May 16, 2019 -  there were 6
songwriter's competing for the scholarship - Michael DeLano was the final recipient with highest cumulative scores in the categories of lyrics, vocal performance, playing performance and melody.

You can download the official form below:

LUCILLE & JACK YELLEN FOUNDATION
SONGWRITER'S SCHOLARSHIP

Congratulations to the 2023 Lucille & Jack Yellen Songwriter's Scholarship Winners!

Deadline: 
All entries (official form along with MP3 and lyrics) must be emailed to
songwriter@bmhof.org
by May 31, 2024.

 

Songs will be judged equally on originality, lyrics, melody, and composition.  Finalists will be chosen by a committee comprised of Buffalo Music Hall of Fame board members and Inductees.

 

Gunther's Radio

Solo Winner:
Emily Rodriquez

Ensemble Winners:
COBRAZ

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MAY 31, 2024!

2022
Scholarship Winners

Abby Forsey

Lucille & Jack Yellen
2023 Winners

Captivate C

ABBY FORSEY -

 

Abby Forsey is currently a junior at Starpoint High School in Lockport, NY. She found an interest in songwriting at the age of 14. She sings, plays piano along with guitar, ukelele, trumpet, and loves to pick up new instruments. Abby has been a member of multiple All-County and area All-State choirs for both jazz and classical singing.

 

CAPTIVATED C -

 

Captivated C is a 2023 graduate of Performing Arts High School in Buffalo.  She is currently studying at The New School University in New York City working on her BA in Music.  Captivated C's music stems from personal experiences with the foster system and mental health. She tackles subjects such as social and black injustices with a clean catalog of music for all generations and age groups.

2014 Songwriter Scholarship Winner

Jessica Chizuk (guitar and vocals)

 

 Howard ”Fleetwood” Wilson II (drums), Frank Grizanti (guitar), Richie English (synthesized strings), Jerry Livingston (bass guitar) Justin Rose (mixing/engineering), Anthony Casuccio (mastering), Tom Lorentz (producer) "Working with those involved with the BMHOF songwriting competition were some of the best experiences in my music career thus far. Collaborating with amazing, top notch musicians on my own song is something I'll never forget"

2013 Songwriter Scholarship Winner

Erin Sydney Welsh (guitar and vocals)

 

 Joe Rozler (piano), Howard ”Fleetwood” Wilson II (drums), Frank Grizanti (guitar), Steve Sadoff (bass guitar) Justin Rose (mixing/engineering), Anthony Casuccio (mastering), Tom Lorentz (producer) "It was invaluable to spend time with such skilled musicians and have the experience of working in the studio. The actual song turned out really great, but I think my greatest gain came from what I learned while making it; as someone who has always been interested in but also intimidated by the production side of the music industry, it was beneficial to see what goes into a song and how musicians with much more experience than myself are able to tailor a sound to a certain piece to get the most without overpowering the song."

 

The Programs of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame are supported in part by public funds
from the County of Erie New York. You are inspiring and we are most grateful.

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