The finalists for the 2006 APRA Silver Scroll Award, have been announced.

The finalists are the Hume brothers of Evermore for 'Running', James Milne of The Reduction Agents for - 'The Pool', Don McGlashan X2 for - 'Bathe in the River' and 'Miracle Sun' and Anika Moa for 'Stolen Hill'.

Image: James Milne of Reduction Agents. The finalists for the 2006 APRA Silver Scroll Award, have been announced.

The finalists are the Hume brothers of Evermore for 'Running', James Milne of The Reduction Agents for - 'The Pool', Don McGlashan X2 for - 'Bathe in the River' and 'Miracle Sun' and Anika Moa for 'Stolen Hill'.

Image: James Milne of Reduction Agents."These songs reflect yet another stellar year in New Zealand music" says Ant Healey, APRA's Director of NZ Operations. "Each is an individual creative triumph, absolutely worthy of celebration."

"These songs are diverse yet tied together by a similar emotive thread. Many will have heard Evermore's Running or Don McGlashan's Bathe In the River, not so many will have heard James Milne's song The Pool, but with Stolen Hill and Miracle Sun they are all in their own way, poignant and reflective songs."

James Milne is a first time finalist up against last year's winners Evermore, and Don McGlashan - a previous winner in 1994 with Anchor Me. Anika Moa has never been a finalist for the Award either but has won the Most Performed Work in NZ award for YouthfuI.

Don McGlashan is the first finalist to have two songs nominated since Dave Dobbyn in 1995.

The Silver Scroll Award, New Zealand's most prestigious song-writing award, has been presented since 1965. The winner of the 2006 APRA Silver Scroll will be awarded at an exclusive invite only awards show on Wednesday September 20 at the Auckland Town Hall.Commercial success is not a consideration for the judging panel that assess both musical and lyrical content equally.

Also presented on the night are the SOUNZ Contemporary Award, recognising creative excellence by a NZ classical composer and the APRA Maioha Award, presented for the best Maori song in Te Reo of the year. A unique feature of the Awards night is the Silver Scroll finalists' songs and the winning SOUNZ and Maioha compositions being performed by their contemporaries, under the musical directorship of composers Victoria Kelly and Joost Langeveld.

The Most Performed Work Overseas Award and the Most Performed Work in New Zealand Award will also be presented on the night.

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.