OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT – JULY 2009: Microphone manufacturer Sennheiser has named 18-year-old Katie Costello as the grand-prize winner of its first “My Song Contest,” which was created to recognize the songwriting talents of high school students across the nation. Costello’s original song, “Isn’t It Lovely,” captivated the expert jury of music industry professionals. The big decision was made extra special by power-pop band Stereo Skyline, who personally announced Costello as the winner in a video posted to Sennheiser’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/sennheiserusa).
“We are thrilled to recognize Katie Costello as the winner of the Sennheiser My Song Contest,” says Stefanie Reichert, vice president of strategic marketing at Sennheiser Electronic Corporation. “The goal of this contest was to recognize the skills and talents of young musicians, and encourage them to follow their dreams. Costello is already armed with an incredible amount of talent and star
power, which will surely pay off
as she makes her way into the music industry.”
Costello just finished up her final year of high school online, and is pursuing a career in music in New York City. The imaginative songwriter has already enjoyed prime song placements on The CW’s “90210” and “One Tree Hill,” as well as ABC’s hit show “Private Practice.” Her music was also chosen as the “Top Tune of the Day” on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” program. Costello’s album, “Kaleidoscope Machine,” is available for sale on her website (www.katiecostellomusic.com) and on iTunes, where she was featured in the iTunes Indie Artist Spotlight.
Costello’s prize package includes a free ten-piece, professional-grade Sennheiser evolution microphone kit, a spot in an upcoming Sennheiser ad and a profile as the August 2009 “Unsigned Artist of the Month” on the Sennheiser Artists site (www.sennheiserusa.com/artists). The ten-piece evolution microphone kit includes everything one needs to mic a full band: two e 835 vocal mics, one e 609 SILVER guitar amp mic, one e 602 II bass drum mic, three e 604 tom/snare mics and two e 614 instrument condenser mics.
Four runners-up will also be taking home some exciting Sennheiser prizes. Desmond Myers, 17; Veronica Ballestrini, 17; and rock groups Kerrington Cooper and Keller Avenue will receive a Sennheiser HD 280 Pro monitoring headphone and a Sennheiser e 835 vocal microphone.
“Each of the top five contestants are now equipped with the audio equipment they need to impress the crowds and fuel even more creative songwriting,” Reichert says. “We were absolutely blown away the amount and quality of entries we received. It was tough choosing only five, but we are confident that the world will be hearing from these top contestants soon.”
Learn more about the “My Song Contest” winners at www.sennheiserusa.com/mysong. The site includes bios, pictures, the contestants’ songs, and more!
ABOUT SENNHEISER Sennheiser is a world-leading manufacturer of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is now a global brand represented in 60 countries around the world with U.S. headquarters in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Sennheiser’s pioneering excellence in technology has rewarded the company with numerous awards and accolades including an Emmy, a Grammy, and the Scientific and Engineering Award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
For more information, please visit www.sennheiserusa.com
PHOTO CAPTION Katie Costello took the grand-prize for her song, “Isn’t It Lovely,” in the Sennheiser My Song Contest.
