Eisteddfod’s high note

JOY Zhang and Arikki Soo are just two of the many performers at this year’s Hobart Eisteddfod.

Now in its 68th year, the Eisteddfod is expected to draw about 400 performing arts lovers to the Town Hall and the Federation Concert Hall over the next month.

The eisteddfod, which began on Tuesday and finishes on July 8, welcomes singers, musicians and actors individually or as groups in the form of choirs, orchestras and bands, duos, trios and quartets.

Joy and Arikki, both 11, performed their solo piano recitals last week. Joy, who started playing piano in Grade 1, said she received a merit for her efforts.

“It’s a good way to take your mind off things and it gives you confidence,” she said.

This year, Tasmanian actor and former Home and Away star Lisa Gormley is among the group of six judges, with her focus being drama.

The drama performers will take to the stage at the Town Hall on Thursday.

Eisteddfod secretary Helen Cronin said the event was good for the growth of all performers, regardless of age.

“It’s good for them to perform as they have worldclass adjudicators giving them feedback,” she said.

Hundreds of certificates and thousands of dollars in prizes are presented to competitors.