Student success at the 2024 Kendrew Songwriting Competition

Congratulations to Music students Briana Williams (Somerville) and Tegan Addison (St John's) who took both first and second prize respectively at the 2024 Kendrew Songwriting Competition, organised by St John's College. The competition received a large number of submissions from students at a variety of colleges studying on a range of degree programmes. This year's adjudicators Nick Fowler, Professor Sarah Hill, and Professor Jason Stanyek commented on the impressive quality of the 2024 submissions, which were wide-ranging in style and genre.

Winning first prize for her song "Make a Man", Briana Williams, who performs under the name BriBri, is a London-based singer, songwriter and producer. "Make a Man," is one of the tracks featured on her E.P. and delves into the challenges of a one-sided relationship and the path to healing and self-love post-breakups. While the song features an acoustic, heartfelt tone, BriBri's sharp, playful lyrics declare that she’s “still that girl,” marrying vulnerability with an unwavering sense of self. Look out for her EP release later this year to experience more and follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @iambri.bri 

Tegan Addison was awarded second prize for her song "Fight Them All Off", a song about the uncertainties of first love. Tegan writes

Even if you know there is a connection worth fighting for, I think there is often an instinct to fight against emerging feelings (“fight them all off”) or convince yourself that you don’t deserve love. [...] The song is ultimately about loving yourself enough to make that decision. 

Originally from the Northeast of England, Tegan is a singer, pianist and electric guitarist and has been writing and producing songs since 2019. Her songs have been played on BBC Tees Introducing since 2022 and she is really excited to be writing and producing her first album this summer and hopefully starting a band as she enters her second year at Oxford. 

You can read more about the competition and listen to the winning entries on the St John's College website.