MUSIC IN THEIR VEINS:
Nick Shirrefs and daughter Clara put a comedic twist on a piano performance in the 2019 Wimmera Music Eisteddfod. The eisteddfod returned after a year’s hiatus at Horsham Town Hall at the weekend, offering musicians from across western Victoria the chance to compete in 52 categories, with seven new events including a ‘Family Groups’ section.
Melbourne-based adjudicators of a 2019 Wimmera Music Eisteddfod were so impressed with the standard of regional talent at the weekend they have pledged a yearly donation for the event.
The competition, which ran across three days at Horsham Town Hall, returned after a year’s absence with a revitalised program featuring seven new categories.
Organising member Venetia Elbourne-hobbs said a new ‘Family Groups Section’ produced performances of such high calibre that visiting judges said they would donate an indefinite annual $100 prize for the category.
She said their donation was testimony to the music and performing arts talent of regional people.
“The Family Groups Section was a stand-out, it was fun and entertaining,” she said.
“The children are amazing. But when they perform with their parents, their talent just goes to another level.
“There was a fantastic atmosphere and that came across to the adjudicators.
“They loved the venue and felt welcome here.
“And these are judges who have travelled four hours to get here and have seen many eisteddfods.”
Also making an impression were winners of the event’s three major awards, with Simon Dandy collecting the Alex Rathgeber Solo Champion award, Liam Robertson, ‘Most Promising Vocal Student’ and Angela Rosewarne, ‘Most Promising Piano Student’.
Mrs Elbourne-hobbs said one of the event’s biggest highlights was the level of community support.
“We had a full program and had lots of entries from the community,” she said.
“Catherine Bates, a teacher at Nhill College, actually brought along 42 students to perform.
“I can’t say enough about all the businesses that supported us and the volunteers involved.
“Everyone did everything beautifully.
“We’ve got some little ideas to make it better next time, because it didn’t completely run as smoothly as we would have liked, but that’s an eisteddfod, it is like flying by the seat of your pants sometimes – it’s something we will sort out for next year.”