New Prize announced in honour of Lynsey de Paul
PRS for Music Foundation and PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund launch the Lynsey de Paul Prize
- New Prize for emerging female singer-songwriters in honour of Lynsey de Paul who died in 2014
- The winner will be announced at a fundraising event celebrating Lynsey de Paul’s life to raise money for PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund
PRS for Music Foundation together with PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund announce today (Tuesday 16th June 2015) the launch of the Lynsey de Paul Prize. Recognising Lynsey’s passion for helping young women in to the music industry, this career-developing prize has been set up to help emerging female singer-songwriters. It is being run by PRS for Music Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development.
The winner of the Lynsey de Paul Prize will receive a £2,000 development bursary and mentorship, and two runners up will each receive a £500 development bursary.
The deadline to apply for the prize is Wednesday 29 July 2015 and artists must apply by submitting a video through prsformusicfoundation.com where further details and information on eligibility are available.
Writing 12 Top twenty hits such as ‘Dancing on A Saturday Night’ and ‘Sugar Me’, and TV themes including ‘Hearts of Gold’, the multi-award winning Lynsey de Paul was a valued trustee of PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund and a longstanding PRS for Music Board Director.
This new Prize will remember Lynsey’s huge contribution to the music industry and her dedication to supporting emerging female singer-songwriters. The winner will be announced on Thursday 10 September at 2 Pancras Square London at the Lynsey de Paul – A Celebration event, a fundraising event to be hosted by Dame Esther Rantzen celebrating the life and music of Lynsey de Paul, a year on from her passing in 2014.
I’m delighted to be collaborating with PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund on this new prize which will help young female singer-songwriters to work on new material and develop their career with the support of a mentor. Lynsey was determined to make her voice heard both as an artist and as PRS Board member for the last 8 years of her life. I'm sure she would have been proud of this prize and its encouragement of the next generation.
Lynsey was a pioneer, the first woman to win an Ivor Novello award. She was an artist in every sense, she could paint, compose music, write words, sing and play – and she was the most loyal, kind and entertaining friend. We who had the privilege of knowing her still miss her every day. But we are thrilled that thanks to her colleagues at PRS and its associated charities Lynsey’s legacy will be an inspiration for other artists who can follow in her footsteps.
Lynsey was an inspirational and pioneering female songwriter who was immensely talented, passionate and an important role model at PRS for Music. The Lynsey de Paul Prize is a wonderful reminder of Lynsey’s achievements and generous personality. I look forward to seeing how this Prize will help the next generation of PRS members.
-ENDS-
For media enquiries please contact:
Liam McMahon liam@prsformusicfoundation.com / 02037414741
For further information about the award please contact:
Flora Ward flora@prsformusicfoundation.com / 020 3741 4496
For further information about the fundraising event please contact:
Jessica Morgan jessica.morgan@prsformusic.com / 020 3741 4068
Notes to editors
About PRS for Music Foundation
PRS for Music Foundation is the UK's leading charitable funder of new music across all genres. Since 2000 PRS for Music Foundation has given more than £20 million to over 5,000 new music initiatives by awarding grants and leading partnership programmes that support music sector development. Widely respected as an adventurous and proactive funding body, PRS for Music Foundation supports an exceptional range of new music activity – from composer residencies and commissions to festivals and showcases in the UK and overseas. prsformusicfoundation.com
About PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund
The PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund provides financial help and advice to PRS members suffering hardship due to illness, accident, disability or conditions associated with old age. It was founded in 1934 and is governed by a board of trustees, several of whom sit on the main PRS board. Lynsey de Paul was a trustee and PRS board member for many years. prsformusicfund.com
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
