Each year the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame showcase the next generation of songwriters and musicians wit the Yellen Songwriting Scholarship competition.
Young high school and college aged artists submit an original song to the judging panel who then select six finalists.
On May 16 the BMHOF held the finals at the Hard Rock Cafe in Niagara Falls. Each artist performed tow or three songs including their nominated entry before a full house and a panel of judges.
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame members Rick Sargent, BMHOF President Anthony Casuccio, Greg Hennessey, Robin Grandin, and Jesse Galante served as the judges for this year’s competition.
Buffalo radio personality Hank Nevins served as the emcee for the night and offered up some musical trivia while the artists came on stage.
Before the competition began, 2017 Yellen Scholarship winner Matthew Connolly performed a few songs including his winning entry “The Wedding Dress”.
First on the stage was Eleni DeGeorge to get the competition started. Next up was the songwriting duo of Nick Ceppoglia and Thomas Glick. The were followed by Ally Rose – the only performer to us a keyboard, Cullen “CJ” Westcott, Michael Brzyski and Lexi Raine.
Once all the ballots were tallied, Anthony Casuccio announced that this ear’s winner of the Yellen Songwriting Scholarship competition is 13 year old All Rose for her song “Brave”.
For winning the competition, Ally Rose will have her song recorded in the studio with professional musicians.