Mayor opens Eisteddfod for 2022 at Bands Night
We were very happy that the Mayor of Warrnambool Cr Vicki Jellie opened the 2022 at the night of the Music Competition at Emmanuel College on 26th May 2022.
Mayor Jellie said that she was very pleased to be able to open the Eisteddfod as the last two years had been hard on all the people of Warrnambool but especially the Arts.
We thank the Mayor for giving her time to us. Although competition has already started, it was still a privilege for us to have the Mayor present on the second day's evening session for Concert/Stage Bands and Original Composition - Vocal &/or Instrumental, especially as the Aria was cancelled. The official opening or launch is usually conducted at the final of the Aria. Music competition will conclude tomorrow.
There are still more competitions to come - more Speech & Drama, Dance in the July School Holidays, and Debating.
Aria Cancelled for Another Year!
It is with great regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the Senior Vocal competition, the "City of Warrnambool Aria" for the 2022 season. We knew that COVID had played havoc with all our lives over the past 2 years, and we were so excited about the prospect of having a wonderful range of vocalists this year, but it wasn't to be. With an insufficient number of entries, the Convenor, in consultation with the Eisteddfod Committee, made the disappointing and regretful decision to cancel the event for another year.
We hope to see you all here in May 2023!
oh no!! COVID HITS US ONCE AGAIN!
Unfortunately, the Committee has decided to cancel competition for 2021 due to the ongoing uncertainty with lockdowns and restricted numbers with COVID once again. There may be a local Dance Competition during the July school holidays depending upon the conditions at the time.
NO EISTEDDFOD FOR 2020!
Due to the uncertainty of COVID, with concern for the health of our performing community, and possible lockdowns, the decision has been made that there will be no Eisteddfod run in Warrnambool in 2020. The decision was regretful and disappointing for the Committee and Convenors who had already spent time organising the event. Come see us next year!
Joint Winners in the Aria!!
History was made in the 2019 Warrnambool Aria on Sunday 26th May.
Warrnambool's Louise Keast and Bundoora's Jia Yoa Sun
were announced as joint winners of the competition.
Louise is also the first local winner since 1995.
Adjudicator Margaret Dalglish said that choosing the winner was the most difficult decision she has made in her close to 50 Eisteddfods she has adjudicated.
Praise was also given to the other 3 finalists
- Iris Ferwerda, Kimberley Colman, and Madeleine Crombie.
Speech & Drama In Demand!
In 2019 entries in Speech and Drama exceeded all expectations with an exceptionally large number of Primary School competitors. The demand was so large that the Convenor Nicky Baker had to increase the schedule to 4 weeks! WOW!!
What's New for 2019's Competition??
Check out the new additions in our Eisteddfod competitions this year!
There are two new sections in DEBATING for 2019 - Section 221 Secondary School Impromptu for Yrs 7 - 9 and Section 227 Primary School Impromptu Debate for Yrs 5 & 6.
DANCE is trialing new sections in the "Own Choreography" section this year. Dance has also included a new stipulation in it's rules this year. Although is has been compulsory for teachers and those working directly with our young competitors to show a Working With Children Check, Dance is making it COMPULSORY to WEAR your WORKING WITH CHILDREN/or equivalent accreditation identification if entering the backstage areas.
There are several new sessions within the INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC section, with several new sessions in Piano including a session for Own Choice Duet for Family members to play together. Another change for Piano is the grouping of sessions according to the AMEB grades the students have completed.
Thanks to the St. Josephs Committee there are great prizes in the Open Organ Keyboard - Own choice and Open Organ Keyboard - Hymn/Liturgy with First prizes of $100 and second prizes of $50 for each section. We thank St. Josephs Committee for their generous sponsorship.
If you are into drumming the new Drum Kit section may interest you and there are several changes to the STAGE BANDS including a new Secondary School Jazz/Stage Band. We also have an expanded choral section for Primary Schools this year.
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION is now Vocal &/or Instrumental! This can be a solo or small group performance and the piece performed must have been written by one of the performers. The prize for this section includes a RECORDING SESSION OF 2 HOURS.
Two New Life Members!
Congratulations to Ann O'Brien & Helen Van Der Starre on becoming our newest Life Members! Ann and Helen have been the Convenors for the Speech & Drama section for the last 5 years and, much to our regret, are leaving us. They are both very worthy awardees having committed a lot of their time and energy into their Committee work and advocacy for Speech & Drama in particular. Congratulations and thank you Ladies!