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Friday 4th June, 2010

Last night there was a successful opening to the 32nd Mildura Eisteddfod at the La Trobe University Mildura campus lecture theatre at 471 Benetook avenue.

Mayor Glenn Milne gave an opening address of welcome which noted the importance of the Eisteddfod in encouraging and providing a performance opportunity to the young people of Sunraysia. Councilor Milne commented on the depth of talent displayed each year within the community and that with near record entries to the Eisteddfod this year there appears to be a continuation of this phenomenon.

The Eisteddfod program commenced with an evening of solo and Duet piano performances by intermediate to advanced level piano students and was warmly received in the acoustically excellent and intimate venue by a very appreciative, near capacity audience.

Adjudication was by the highly talented Caroline Almonte (bio attached) who told us she appreciated the excellent performances as well as Sunraysia's sunshine as a relief from Melbourne fog!

Piano performances continue today with novice and junior intermediate performances in the morning (0930hrs) and afternoon (1330hrs) sessions. The evening session (1930hrs) will feature the highlight of the piano performances with senior solos followed by intense competition to attain the prestigious June Missen Sonata Award.

HOT NEWS - the Mildura Eisteddfod Society (thanks to the generosity of its new local sponsor, Tasco inland) has been able to engage Ms.Caroline Almonte to remain in Mildura to conduct a Masterclass for senior Eisteddfod pianoforte entrants - this is a fantastic event for those involved and we hope this will be the first of many masterclass educational opportunities provided by the Mildura Eisteddfod for the benefit of our local rising stars.

Go here for a biography outline of Caroline Almonte.

Saturday - 5th June 2010

The piano competition continued at La Trobe University lecture theatre. This new venue continues to garner favourable comment from audience and competitors alike who find the intimacy of performing there particularly appealing.

A wide variety of skill levels were shown to the adjudicator, Ms Caroline Almonte, starting with performances for pianists 8yrs and under and culminating with an impressive and highly entertaining evening of advanced piano playing by performers ranging in age from 12 to 18yrs.

The June Missen Sonata Award was bestowed by Ms Almonte on Jemimah Hender at the end of an intense competition. The full table of results for the pianoforte competition will be circulated to you tomorrow.

The piano competition will conclude today with morning and afternoon sessions and then Caroline Almonte will conduct a free masterclass for senior entrants in the Eisteddfod between 7.30 - 9.30pm at the La Trobe venue, this is a new initiative by the Mildura Eisteddfod Society.

Tomorrow's competition will see the commencement of the Speech and Drama section under adjudicator Bronwen Hanvey. The morning's program for schools Verse Speaking Choirs will take place at 9.30am in Trinity Lutheran School's new performance Hall, and solo Speech and Drama items will follow in the afternoon and evening back at the La Trobe theatre on Benetook Avenue.

Tuesday 8th June 2010

The Speech and Drama elements of the 32nd Mildura Eisteddfod were successfully completed yesterday.

The second of the four venues required for this year was (as a result of the generosity of Trinity Lutheran College) used in the morning for the Verse Speaking Choirs . The venue (Trinity's newly built hall and auditorium) was warm, airy and comfortable.

It received a high approval rating from 4th time to Mildura S & D Adjudicator Bronwen Hanvey. Bronwen's incisive & analytical commentaries revealed why she is one of the favoured adjudicators who are asked to return to the Mildura Eisteddfod time after time.

The standard of performance of the choirs was really good with many Children getting a thrill out of performing.

The Speech and Drama Award was hotly contested and was fittingly awarded to the Grade 3-4 choir from Trinity Lutheran for an outstandingly prepared presentation.

It was great to see a return, after a years absence from Eisteddfod competition, of the Mildura Primary school whose grade 5-6 choir 'took home the bacon' in their competition.

The children and audience experienced a great morning, it's a pity that only five of the many primary schools in our district took up the challenge of allowing their pupils a guernsey!

The competition continued in the afternoon and evening with solo and small group performances at La Trobe lecture theatre where once again the benefits of an intimate venue on solo and small ensemble performances were very apparent.

An exciting programme of instrumental musical competition kicks off today with three sessions adjudicated by renowned Classical and Baroque oboist Anne Gilby. You'd be mad to miss it!

Wednesday - 9th June 2010

A crowded morning of Junior Brass and Woodwind playing to impress adjudicator Anne Gilby started Day 4 of the Mildura Eisteddfod. This was followed by primary school level ensemble and band competition which was hotly contested between local players and a visiting group of 28 young musicians from St. Francis Xaviers primary school in Adelaide.

The long morning's entertainment decreed a late start to the afternoon session of intermediate and senior solo Brass and Woodwind pieces. The afternoon concluded with a small but very fine and highly entertaining U16 Guitar ensemble competition.

The evening session was one of 'sparkling' if not 'champagne' music with senior Guitar ensemble and then intermediate and senior duet (using the new format of any combination of two instruments) competition. Anne Gilby told the contestants that in her view Duets were the most challenging form of music making as she praised their efforts.

The last three sections were superb performances in the open Jazz solo, the open string section and the string ensemble section which were enthusiastically received by the near capacity audience at the La Trobe theatre.

Local musical 'legend' Len Krause was overheard saying he had had a great nights entertainment and "
those who weren't there were mad as they didn't know just what they were missing out on",

However there is still a great deal of music to come as competition resumes at La Trobe University campus today and tomorrow and the instrumental section of the Eisteddfod concludes with a truly 'Gala' evening at the Mercy theatre tomorrow at 7.30pm.

Thursday - 10th June 2010

Instrumental competition continued at La Trobe University with the venue continuing to attract high praise.

Teacher and music studies coordinator Marcus Hennig was lavish in his words of praise stating that the auditorium was "perfect' for the exhibition of Acoustic Guitar playing in particular, where its delicate sounds are often swallowed up in a larger auditorium.

A highlight of the day was the awarding of the Arthur McWilliams Memorial Award to two young Trumpet players from Adelaide - Emma Tiggemann & Georgia Lindsay. (see attached photo) Their delight was obvious at beating the more senior competitors for this prestigious award for Brass or Woodwind duet.

The Competition continues this morning at La Trobe , pauses this afternoon while we change venues to the Mercy theatre and resumes at the new venue (our 3rd for this Eisteddfod) tonight with a fantastic programme of band and VCE music, two awards and the announcement of the donation to the Mildura Eisteddfod of the inaugural Scholarship for it to award annually - Come and find out what its all about!

Full instrumental results sent out after the section is completed tonight.

Friday 11th June 2010

A busy day to complete the instrumental section under adjudicator Anne Gilby. The morning session was for the inaugural percussion section which while very successful from the point of view of those who competed was marred by many withdrawals because of an elementary programming error by the Eisteddfod Committee. This section has the potential for great growth in the future and we will continue to include percussion in the instrumental programme.

In the afternoon we transferred venues to the luxurious Mercy theatre, but with reticence and almost a sense of loss at losing the intimacy of the La Trobe University lecture theatre which had served so well for the first half of the Eisteddfod.

The evening provided a great final instrumental session with VCE music hotly contested and then ensemble and band performances providing a smorgasbord of entertaining items all of which were praised by the adjudicator for the preparatory work involved.

The highlight of the night was the announcement by Helen Healy & Ross Lake of the Arts Mildura board of the endowment of an annual scholarship of $500 to be spent on tuition by a double reed woodwind player of the adjudicators choice. This inaugural scholarship signals a recognition of the need of the community to promote performing arts so that the community itself has a healthy spirit to sustain it through harder times, such as are still being experienced in the horticultural sector.

The Eisteddfod continues at the Mercy theatre with 4 days of vocal competition under the guidance of adjudicator Ian F. Lowe.

Hot News - Anne Gilby will conduct a series of 4 masterclasses today funded by Mildura Eisteddfod Society and free to participants.
1 - masterclass for primary school aged musicians at Mildura South Primary School at 9am
2 - masterclass for VCE music students at MADEC in 10th St. at 10.15am
3 - Baroque music masterclass at 11.15am also at MADEC in 10th ST>
4 - a final 1 on 1 masterclass to commence and introduce the Aussie Children's Helpers fund (patron Lee Kernaghan) scholarship winner Tahleah Warner to oboe studies at 2pm.

All of the above ,but particularly workshop 4 are note worthy and will provide great photo and film journalism opportunities.

Saturday 12th June 2010

Friday 11th was a big day for the Eisteddfod in 2 respects.

Firstly the huge vocal competition commenced with a day of Country singing, modern amplified sols with CD backing and some musical theatre items in costume.

Secondly Anne Gilby gave 4 very well received Masterclasses to a large number of participants (photos show Anne demonstrating her Baroque Oboe at the baroque music masterclass for senior students. Anne and Tahleah Warner (recipient of an Aussie Children's Helpers Musical scholarship for a years initial oboe tuition) taking the first step in learning to play an oboe - blowing up a balloon!. By the end of her 1 on 1 masterclass with Anne Gilby, Tahleah Warner plays her first tune on the oboe.)

The packed programme of vocal competition continues unabated today with solos and musical theatre songs in costume from young performers aged 9yrs through to 16yrs. It promises to be wonderful entertainment once again.

Sunday 13th June 2010

A very successful day of vocal competition was held on Saturday 12th June with strong solo sections for younger performers as well as costumed musical theatre choices.

Today promises more entertainment with duets in the morning session and another 'gala' night tonight with a huge split section of senior costumed musical theatre songs and in between this split the 'Novice Aria" contest will be held. The evening will be rounded off by an art song section for senior competitors.

What a fantastic evening of light entertainment mixed with classical singing this should be, well worth foregoing the footy reruns to see!

Tuesday 15th June 2010

Two days of singing of a really fine standard with large entries in the sections took place over Sunday 13th and holiday Monday 14th concluded the vocal sections under adjudicator Ian Lowe.

He expressed his pleasure that singing continues to attract increasing numbers of children as students, as it bodes well for the future of performance in Sunraysia. He urged all singers to sing with others (duets, trios, quartets etc.) and learn to harmonize well as they will need to acquire this skill to succeed in any and all genres of vocalising that they may wish to pursue in the future.

A rest day today and Choral competition continues Wednesday 16th at St Joseph's stadium with primary school choirs in the morning under South Australian Choral adjudicator Timothy Sexton.

Ian Lowe (Bass-Baritone) Adjudicator for the 32nd Mildura Eisteddfod vocal competition has commenced private masterclasses for local singing students. He will remain in Mildura for 4 days to fulfill the demand for these classes!


Photo shows Ellen Bowditch in class with Ian Lowe.

Friday 18th June 2010

St Joseph's Stadium was the final new venue to host the 32nd Mildura Eisteddfod when the Choral competition was conducted there yesterday. The Competition in the Morning was for primary school choirs. 551 children and their supporters filled the Stadium seating to near capacity to witness the infant school choir section. the swelling of parental and grand-parental bosoms in the audience at the sight of their sparkling eyed loved ones on the choir stands was highly noticeable. Could Pride have had something to do with it or was it just pleasure in the way all of the primary school choirs were so immaculately turned out?

The children seemed to enjoy the benefits of watching the whole of their section of the competition , something that had not been possible in the smaller capacity venue of the MAC at previous Mildura Eisteddfodau.

Adjudicator Tim Sexton provided long and constructive critiques that often suggested ways to improve the preparation of junior choirs for this type of contest.

Worthy winners of the 18th Charlotte M. Harvey Memorial Award were the grade 3/4 choir from St. Pauls PS.

In the afternoon one section of secondary school choral competition was fought out at a very high standard but the programme threatened to become derailed when all of the Community Choirs withdrew with the notable exception of the very gracious ladies (ladies as in true gentlewomen) of the Mildura/Millewa CWA choir.

Only one late notification of withdrawal was officially communicated to the Mildura Eisteddfod Committee by the other community choirs, pique or petulance at afternoon instead of evening scheduling seemingly preventing this common courtesy.

However, the next section for open choirs with own choice of hymn was keenly contested between the Mildura/Millewa CWA ladies and the St. Joseph's senior choir.

A single mark in the adjudication was enough to see the lusty enthusiasm of youth conquer the experience and cunning of the more senior choristers, a result that was well received by those present.

The Mildura/Millewa CWA choir then performed as the sole contestant in the open Choral section and their beautiful rendition of two items entranced and captivated those who witnessed it, including their junior rivals from the preceding section. Timothy Sexton declared them very worthy recipients of the first prize even though they were the sole contestants and he didn't hesitate to award it to them.

In the end it was still a great, though curtailed, afternoon. Ah, what might have been?

In the evening competition returned to the Mercy theatre where newly introduced sections for vocalists who have school based tuition only were held.

This was a great evening with well turned out young contestants demonstrating their skills.

After a rest day today competition resumes at the Mercy Theatre with two days of dance to conclude what has proven to be a relaxed and happy Mildura Eisteddfod with the four 'substitute' venues being successful way beyond the expectations of the Eisteddfod Society.

Saturday 19th June 2010

Dance events commenced yesterday under the keen eyes of Miss Hilary Hazledine. What a fantastic start it was too, with the Mercy theatre literally packed to the rafters with proud Mums & Dads and grandparents keen to see the first two sections for primary school groups.

The stress of being in a smaller venue than the MAC was apparent for the first time - but the boys and girls had a wonderful time, and that's what really counts.

The morning was packed with Tap dance (solos and troupes) and secondary school group dance and finished with a small and delightful couple of national dance sections.

Miss Hazledine praised the stage surface for showing off the crisp staccato of tap dancing to the full, adding to the audiences enjoyment of the programme. She also lavished praise on the choreography and choice of subjects for the tap troupes but warned she might have made a controversial choice for first prize in the 13 yrs and under tap troupe section when she edged the performers of 'Sadie the cleaning lady' to the top of the scorecard on the basis of the sheer enjoyment the performers were getting from their item. The audience didn't agree - 'Sadie' was obviously their favourite too.

In the afternoon a fine mixed programme of junior Jazz and Classical Ballet solos took place followed by senior Contemporary/Neo-Classical sections. Again Miss Hazledine praised the choreography of these latter sections as being of a standard she had not encountered before that was, in her opinion, so innovative as to be 'simply astonishing". High praise indeed and a wonderful compliment for those involved in locally taught contemporary dance.

In the short but sparkling evening programme three classical ballet awards were contested by small fields of competitors, The Classical Ballet Improvisation Award,The Kath McCormick Memorial Award & The Reg Etherington Memorial Awards. Despite the small fields worthy winners were selected for each award. The evening concluded with a fine section of story telling with dance by 16yrs and under competitors in their solo Classical Demi-Character roles.

Today is the final day of the 32nd Mildura Eisteddfod with a very full day of exciting dance contests, culminating in the evening with the contest for The Sunraysia Ballet Award and group dancing in Ballet and also that very exciting Contemporary/Neo-Classical style - it's a last, don't miss opportunity to see what the hype is all about.

Sunday 20th June 2010

The final day of Dance competition took place at the Mercy theatre yesterday, with audiences treated to wonderful entertainment throughout each session of the day.

Adjudicator Hilary Hazledine was a hard taskmistress, but established a clear rapport with the dancers. Her critiques are regarded as constructive and meaningful and her 'Honourable Mentions' were earned rather than being consolation gimmes.

The highlight of the day was the competition for the Sunraysia Ballet Award with eight competitors dancing a Demi-classical Character role followed by a Classical performance. The Award was collected by visiting dancer Hannah Micheel for an extremely polished performance. Hilary Hazledine congratulated all the ballerinas on the standard of their performances. (see photo)

The evening finished with Group dances in the Contemporary/Neo-Classical and Classical genres with some boundary pushing arrangements in the former group. The final item featured Sunraysia's senior Ballet students who gave a lovely and atmospheric performance to end the 32nd Mildura Eisteddfod.

There was one last surprize to come!

Unbeknownst to the audience and competitors Hilary Hazledine had bestowed a 'Perpetual Choreography Award' on the Mildura Eisteddfod Society and she made the inaugural presentation to Sally Hederics (Contemporary Dance Teacher at the Mildura District Ballet and Dance Guild) for her outstanding choreography of an item danced by Louella Hogan in the 16 years and under Contemporary/Neo-Classical section 627 the previous afternoon. "Outstanding", Hilary, Sally and Louella! (see photo)

The Eisteddfod could not have finished on a better note. Heartfelt thanks to all who made it possible, particularly those who selflessly volunteer their time and energy to make this great community event run so seamlessly.

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