Finovo George Eisteddfod a resounding success

A record number of entries were received for the Finovo George Eisteddfod 2018. Coordinator Yvette Brown expressed her delight with the 3 594 entries as opposed to 2 553 entries in 2017.

The judge in the instrumental division, Philippus Hugo, conveyed his satisfaction with the high level of competency displayed by participating Southern Cape musicians. The youngest entrant on Thursday was the nine-year-old Misha van der Merwe, who was accompanied by Annette Strydom and coached by her proud grandmother Lelané van der Merwe of the Lighthouse Academy.

This year there were 556 entrants participating in the musical instrumental division, including harps, ukulele and marimba boards.

There were 448 vocalists; 821 drama entries; 829 visual arts entries and 800 dance entries, while pop and jazz band entries totalled 140 over the weekend. Mention must be made of the judges. Marlene Pietersen judged the drama division; Phil Golson judged the pop, rock and jazz items; the visual art items were judged by Vanessa du Toit and the dance entries by Lynne Cusack.

Leana Boonzaaier is the coordinator for the concert and prize-giving at 18:00 today, Thursday 30 August, at the Oakhurst Insurance George Arts Theatre.

Tickets are R60 for adults and R30 for children and can be bought ahead at the theatre, or at the door.

The sponsor of the event, Ettean Smit of Finovo, thanked the volunteers who help to make this event a huge success every year.

The judge in the instrumental division, Philippus Hugo, conveyed his satisfaction level of competency displayed with the high by participating Southern Cape musicians.

Photos: Pauline Lourens The youngest entrant in this year’s eisteddfod in the instrumental division is Misha van der Merwe (9) (middle), who has been receiving tuition since she was 6 years old. Her grandmother Lelané van der Merwe (right) is as proud as her accompanist Annette Strydom. Sarah Vos (right), a Glenwood High student, impressed judge Philippus Hugo with her proficiency as cellist.

Farrell Anderson was one of the 556 instrumental entries judged last week.