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About
the Hamilton Eisteddfod
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| President |
Denise
Fenwick |
| Secretary |
Christine
Forster |
| Asst.
Secretary |
Carmel
Schlaghecke |
| Treasurer |
Linda
Rook/Ivo McLaughlin |
| Program
Coordinator |
Meredith
Elliott |
| Life
Member |
Marie
Robinson |
The
Hamilton Eisteddfod takes place annually, and provides an
opportunity for musicians and dancers to perform in front
of an audience, and have that performance assessed by top
professionals in the field.
The
Eisteddfod runs at the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Brown
Street, Hamilton. There are usually 3 sessions of approximately
3 hours duration on each day of the Eisteddfod.
In
2008, the Eisteddfod will comprise 118 music sections and
78 dance sections, from Primary school students through to
open sections. Both music and dance sections range from classical
to popular, thus giving the Eisteddfod a breadth not always
seen in regional competitions.
Photograph
courtesy of the Hamilton Spectator
| History
of the Eisteddfod |
In
1963, a group of local citizens interested in music and the
arts arranged a meeting to form the Hamilton Eisteddfod. The
first Hamilton Arts Council Eisteddfod was held consisting
of 34 sections, including piano, vocal, brass, primary and
secondary school choral, an instrumental group, and piano
accordion. The piano accordion was a major part of the Eisteddfod
in the 1960s, with competitors coming from Kerang, Pyramid
Hill, Naracoorte, Hopetoun, Ararat, Horsham, Geelong, Bendigo,
Ballarat and suburbs of Melbourne.
In
1969 Mr Jack Cartasso, a wellknown local and very talented
musician was appointed an adjudicator for the Brass and Instrumental
sections of the Eisteddfod. In 1994, a donation of $1,889
was presented to the Eisteddfod committee, from the trustees
of "The Late Jack Cartasso Trust Fund". It was decided
to invest the money and make an award annually to a student
competing in the general sections of the Eisteddfod.
In
1971, dance sections were incorporated into the Eisteddfod,
with some 113 competitors travelling to Hamilton from regional
areas to participate.
The
late Mrs Barbara Critten, MBE,, of Hamilton assisted many
students in preparation of their work in the Eisteddfods over
many years. Her knowledge of choral and solo singing was outstanding
and it is pleasing to note that her name is perpetuatied on
the Music Centre at Baimbridge College.
Many
former competitors of the Hamilton Eisteddfod have gone on
to study music and achieve high standards as performers and
teachers in the Australian and international music and dance
community, including Kaye Hancock, Leeanne Barber, Mark Witham,
Kathryn Salt, Linda Clutterbuck, Rachel Schlaghecke, Kate
Brian, Toni McDonald, Steven Yorston, Charles MacInnes, Jodi
Clark, Geoff Keating, Maja Ryan, Holly Williams, Lyndelle
Steer and Andrea Robertson.
Mrs
Gwenda Woodward of Hamilton was an official accompanist together
with Mrs Walker Davies of Ballarat, Patrick Lawrence, Laura
Tipoki and Dean Sky-Lucas.
Dr
Di Bresciani, Dr Ian Holtham, Majella Drew, Peter Hurley,
Bruce Raymond and Mr Douglas Heywood O.A.M. are just a few
of the professional adjudicators who have taken this role.
From
a meagre beginning of $525 costs and 34 sections, to over
$25,000 in costs and 188 sections now, the Hamilton Eisteddfod
has a reputation of high-achieving musicians, and a large
following, from throughout regional Victoria and South Australia,
and the suburbs of Melbourne, with competitors and their families
often staying in Hamilton for up to a week, supporting local
businesses. No government subsidies are available, so support
is sought from the community and local businesses. The committee
also participates in fund-raising events, and relies on the
dedicated support of at least 12 volunteer assitants each
day.
The
committee is confident that this year's Eisteddfod will maintain
the high standards of competition and that both teachers and
students will continue to derive benefit from their involvement.
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