James Emerson Wins Most Successful Aria Yet!!
In what has been the most successful Aria run to date with a total of 23 entrants entered to compete, James Emerson came out on top in the 2023 City of Warrnambool Aria!
Chris Hayes, the Aria Convenor, says the competition was exceptional with many entrants, including James, travelling from Melbourne to compete which is wonderful. James also won the Lieder Solo and the Championship Solo.
The six finalists were James Emerson, Hannah Kostros, Ouyang Nuolin, Kate Amos, Breanna Stuart, and Emily Szabo
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.
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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.
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!!
Two New Life Members In 2018!
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!