Harry Phillips, a Contemporary Music Performance student from JMC Academy, has been selected from a large pool of talent as a finalist for the annual Queensland Music Awards (QMA) Billy Thorpe Scholarship Award. The scholarship funded by Arts Queensland gives the opportunity for an early career artist to develop their skills and the future of rock and roll music.
Harry grew up with professional musicians for parents and has been shaping his unique craftsmanship in songwriting since he first picked up a guitar at age 10. His strong connection with music from a young age has been a key influence in growing into the acoustic pop songwriter he is today. Throughout his time studying at JMC, Harry has won the APRA 50 Songs in 5 Days competition in 2017, traveled to the Netherlands for the International Writer’s Camp and won two JMC national songwriting competitions.
The QMA’s Billy Thorpe Scholarship Award is presented to an emerging artist in honour of the late Billy Thorpe, a renowned Australian rock musician who passed away in February 2007. In addition to $10,000 in prize money, the award includes a recording grant with an established producer and the opportunity to meet with and receive advice around career planning from a representative from Chugg Entertainment.
Harry is not the only one from JMC to have been selected as a finalist in this year’s QMAs as two members of staff have been nominated for the Jazz Award category. One of which is Sean Foran, Head of Music, who has nominated for Trichotomy’s song Asset or Liability as well as Music Lecturer, Rafel Karlen, who has been nominated for the song Ripple. The winner of QMA’s Billy Thorpe Award will be announced during the Queensland Music Awards ceremony on 14 May.
Readers also enjoyed this story about the upcoming Carole King Musical.
