Eisteddfod organisers remain positive
Organisers of Wimmera Music Eisteddfod, due to start tomorrow, are awaiting further State Government instruction before determining when and how the event will progress.
Committee member Venetia Elbourne-hobbs said the continuation of a statewide COVID-19 lockdown meant the event could no longer continue ‘in any form’ this weekend.
“We probably won’t have any clarity on what we can do until next week,” Mrs Elbourne-hobbs told The Weekly Advertiser yesterday.
“We are hoping to still run it in some form, but what that looks like and the time frame, we just don’t know. We will update everyone as soon as possible.”
Entries for this year’s eisteddfod include more than 30 individual adult vocal competitors across eight sections.
Mrs Elbourne-hobbs said the number was even higher if you included open ensembles and choir group sections.
“We often think of an eisteddfod as a place of learning and encouragement for young people, which it definitely is, but it’s also great to see so many adults competing and honing their skills,” she said.
“The vocal sections have always been our strength and I think having someone like Dr Ian Nisbett adjudicating has encouraged the involvement of vocalists even more.
“Ian is a vocal coach with a PHD in musical theatre, a bachelor’s degree in drama, an AMUSA in flute performance and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education.”
Among new vocal sections to be included this year is a monologue for two age groups.
This is a four-minute spoken drama solo designed to capture a different aspect of performance.
“It’s worked out really well, that the year we introduce the monologue section we have an adjudicator with a proven strength in this area,” Mrs Elbourne-hobbs said.
“This is a real bonus for any students interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts, as Ian will be able to provide invaluable feedback through the critique process.”
People can visit www.wimmeraeisteddfod.com or www.facebook. com/wimmeraeisteddfod for updates about this year’s event.