Eisteddfods
There’s a man who once said “all the world’s a stage” and when it comes to the performing arts, eisteddfods are essential; be it drama, vocal, music, dance any other artistic field, participating in an eisteddfod at least once is a landmark moment that no performer should ever miss out on!
Eisteddfods are held annually offering competitive and non-competitive sections for all types of dance, vocal, instrumental, speech and drama. For a designated period each year, participants compete and perform, covering the full spectrum of the performing arts. There are numerous benefits for competitors; not only are their artistic skills improved, but also confidence, poise, commitment and self-esteem; skills which they will later take into the community with them.
There is more to gain from participating in these events, other than walking away with a medal. Apart from providing students with an opportunity to do what they love, competitions offer valuable learning opportunities.
There is concern however, among many adjudicators that an increasing focus on “winning at all costs” means students are missing out on important life lessons and risk jeopardising both their continued artistic development and their passion for drama.
As a drama school we believe that eisteddfods are integral for the development of a performer as it helps young artists test their own skills and develop by learning from other students. Eisteddfods help boost a child’s confidence and assist’s their growth as an artist. Beyond learning, just having the courage to put yourself out there on such a huge platform is a massive achievement!
At Grace Studios our goal is to promote the pursuit of excellence, especially amongst young people with opportunities to perform in public through professionally judged competitions. We want to assist aspiring performers to develop a lifelong engagement with the performing arts. Additionally, we aim to spread the reach of drama locally, nationally and internationally. We want to connect with like-minded communities, help develop future performers and provide life-changing skills and career opportunities.
We know finding eisteddfods can be difficult, so we’ve made it easier and created a comprehensive list of all current competitions and events running in Sydney. Please don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity for self-growth! Below we have details of the major eisteddfods happening in Sydney and would love for you all to have a look and participate! If you need any further help, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Australian National Eisteddfod PO Box 94 Civic Square ACT 2608
Year Established- 1937
Categories offered:Bands and Orchestras, Choirs, Instrumental and Contemporary Music,Piano, Singing, Speech and Drama nationaleisteddfod.org.au
Illawarra Region Eisteddfod The Secretary 11 George Street Thirroul NSW 2515
Entries Close: February Held: March Categories offered:Solos/Troupes Classical Ballet, Demi Character, National Character, Modern Expressive, Contemporary, Jazz, Slow/Fast Tap, Waltz, Song & Soft Shoe, Song & Tap, Babies Sections, Singing Principal awards:Championships Year Established – 2006
Illawarraregioneisteddfod.com.au
Inner West Eisteddfod PO Box 184 Burwood NSW 1805
Entries Close: April Held: May/June/July Categories offered: Piano, Vocal, String, Speech & Drama, Guitar, Dance Principal award:Marcus Edwards Violin Prize – $1,000; Dr Miriam Hyde Piano Award Year Established – 1987 innerwesteisteddfod.com.au
City of Parramatta Eisteddfod
Entries Close: Vocal Contemporary mid-May; All others March Held: March – early July Categories offered: Speech & Drama, Vocal Classical, Instrumental, Vocal Contemporary – Amplified Principal awards: Intermediate Aria – $500; Scholarships $500 each for Speech & Drama, Piano, Intermediate Vocal Year Established – 1951 eisteddfodparramatta.org.au
City of Ryde Eisteddfod
Categories offered:Vocal, Choral, Instrumental, Dance, Speech & Drama Principal awards:$1,000 Scholarships for selected vocal, instrumental, dance, and speech & drama events Year Established – 1989 rydeeisteddfod.org/EISTEDDFOD/
St. George Performing Arts Eisteddfod
Entries Close: Dancing March; Debating April; Piano and Strings – May; All other sections – June Held: May – September Categories offered:Dancing, Highland Dancing, Piano, Speech, Drama, Singing,Debating, Strings Year Established – 1948 stgeorgeeisteddfod.org.au
Sutherland Shire Eisteddfod
Entries Close: early March Held: Easter holidays Categories offered:Solo Categories: Tap, Jazz, Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical Modern Expressive, Song & Dance, Babies sections, National Character, Improvisation, Student Own Choreography Group categories: Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern Expressive, Classical Ballet, Song & Dance, National Character, Revues Year Established – 1984 sutherlandshireeisteddfod.info
Sydney Eisteddfod
Entries Close: mid March each year Held: June to September Categories offered:Classical Vocal, Choral, Popular Vocal , Singer/Songwriter, Rock Bands, Instrumental, Orchestral, Creative Writing, Music Composition, Drama, Speech, Dance, Schools events Principal awards:McDonald’s Operatic Aria – $58,000; McDonald’s Ballet Scholarships – $36,000; John Lamble Australasian Choral Championships – $16,500; John Allison City of Sydney Piano Scholarship – $10,000; The Nelson Meers Outstanding Instrumental Scholarship – $8,000; Musica Viva Award for Chamber Music – $6,000 Year Established – 1933 sydneyeisteddfod.com.au
City of Wollongong Eisteddfod PO Box 286 Wollongong NSW 2520
Entry Close: Early March Held: May/June/July Categories offered:Speech, Drama, Instrumental, Dance Principal awards:Piano Scholarships $6,500/ Chopin $1,500; Operatic Aria $6,500; School Choirs $1,000; 3xDance Scholarships of $1,000; Speech/Drama $500; Many worthwhile Cash Prizes Year Established – 1894 wollongongeisteddfod.com.au
In addition to the above eisteddfods, if you look on these pages, you can find more information regarding other events that might interest you!
1) Sydney Eisteddfod https://sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/events/category/speech-and-drama
2) National Eisteddfod http://nationaleisteddfod.org.au/other-eisteddfodau/
3) Paramatta Eisteddfod http://www.eisteddfodparramatta.org.au/ http://www.eisteddfodparramatta.org.au/competitiondates.htm
4) Burwood Eisteddfod https://iwe.org.au
