Music made for children weaves magic, engages the imagination and wraps life’s lessons in quirky rhyme.  The Children’s Music Awards celebrate the people behind the music - music that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face and to get your kids dancing.

Music made for children weaves magic, engages the imagination and wraps life’s lessons in quirky rhyme.  The Children’s Music Awards celebrate the people behind the music - music that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face and to get your kids dancing.

The finalists for the Children’s Music Awards have been announced in three categories, featuring both up and coming writers as well as stalwarts of the burgeoning industry.

"It is an exciting time for children's music" says APRA's Anthony Healey. "Music and young people are synonymous, and with music comes movement, creativity, learning and play. APRA is pleased to celebrate those who write the songs that fill our children's lives with music."

Finalists for the awards are:

APRA Best Children’s Music Song of the Year

The Fixing Song by Levity Beet
It’s Cool to be Kind by Zoo Boogie
If I was a Fuzzy Buzzy Bumblebee by Chanelle Davis

Recorded Music NZ Best Children’s Music Album (Tui Award)

Circus of Fleas - fleaBITE
Zoo Boogie – Zoo Boogie
A Pirate’s Life - Captain Festus McBoyle

What Now Best Children’s Music Video

It’s Not a Monster It’s Me! by The Little City Critters, video by Raymond McGrath
Hair by fleaBITE, video by The Talented Templers
Hank The Wrestling Shark by Gerry Paul, video by Ryan Fielding

2013 is a special year for the Children’s Music Awards, as it sees the reintroduction of the Recorded Music NZ (ex RIANZ) Tui for the Best Children’s Music Album.

“Recorded Music NZ is thrilled to bring back the Tui for Best Children’s Music Album. Congratulations to all the finalists - FleaBITE, Captain Festus McBoyle and Zoo Boogie - for their absolutely fantastic releases and obvious passion for creating great music!” says Damian Vaughan, CEO of Recorded Music NZ.

Each year the annual Children’s Music Awards are awarded as a part of Singapore Airlines Starfest, the grand final of the two-week long Kidsfest, organised by Christchurch City Council. This year the Singapore Airlines Starfest takes place on Saturday 27th July at the Aurora Centre, Christchurch.

Following the awards APRA will be releasing a promotional album of the top 20 entries into the APRA Best Children’s Music Song Award.  The album will be distributed to schools, libraries and children’s media around the country.  It will also be available as a free download for the general public for two weeks following the award.

The Children’s Music Awards were started by APRA in 2008 with partners What Now and the Christchurch City Council.  The re-introduction of the Recorded Music NZ Tui award for the Best Children’s Music Album is a welcome addition to the awards that further fosters this important industry.

Media Release: APRA