Sydney Eisteddfod

Sydney Eisteddfod is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit organisation in Sydney, Australia.^[1] It aims to promote the performing arts through competitions and public performances.

About

The Sydney Eisteddfod is an annual musical competition, supported by professionals in arts and education. The event featues categories for singers, dancers, actors, musicians, choirs, bands and orchestras, along with creative categories for composers, writers and poets.

Established in 1993 as the City of Sydney Eisteddfod,^[2][3] the inagural compeititon took place from 9 to 26 August in the Sydney Town Hall and Paling's Concert Hall. The event attracted singificant public interest, with an illustrated souvenir programme sold for one shilling.^[4]

In addition to competitions, the Sydney Eisteddfod collaborates with arts organizations to provide opportunties for emerging artists. It hosts recital, concerts, and fosters interest in the performing and creative arts to engage future audiences.^{[5][clarification needed]}

In 2011, the Sydney Eisteddfod won the City of Sydney Business Award in the Cultural and Creative Services category. ^[6]

History

The Sydney Eisteddfod originated from the Music Week Festival, first held in 1930. By 1932, representatives from the Music Week Festival and the Citizens of Sydney Organising Committee announced plans for a larger-scale eisteddfod, which officially launched in August of 1933. This event sought to bring together talent from across Australia, supported by the New South Wales State Conservatorium (now the Sydney Conservatorium of Music).^[7]

The first executive meeting of the Eisteddfod was held on 20 February 1933, and the first official program included 84 vocal, choral, speech, and musical events, drawing 5,410 entries. The opening ceremony on 19 August 2023 featured performances by notable artists such as Joan Hammond, Ernest Llewellyn, and Joy Nichols.^{[citation needed]}

The Eisteddfod was suspended for four years during the Pacific War but resumed again afterwards.^[8][9] In 1949, the Sun News-Pictorial began sponsorsing the aria, coinciding with the Melbourne Sun Aria contests.^[10] Renowned performers such as Joan Sutherland (1949) and June Bronhill (1950) were among the winners of this competition.

In 1988, McDonald's Australia became a naming rights sponsor, marking a long-term partnership. The 2020 competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, but resumed in subsequent years.

Further reading

• Jennie Rowley Lees (2008). The Sydney Eisteddfod story : 1933–1941. Sydney Eisteddfod. ISBN 978-0-9757483-3-6.

References

1. "Sydney Eisteddfod". Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
2. The Sydney Eisteddfod Story: 1933–1941 by Jennie Rowley Lees
3. "Advancing Australia". Sydney Morning Herald. 19 September 1933.
4. "|| getexpi ||". Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
5. "Sydney Eisteddfod". ACNC. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
6. "Media | City of Sydney - News". Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
7. "Sydney Eisteddfod". Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
8. "Sydney Eisteddfod Suspended". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 32, 466. New South Wales, Australia. 16 January 1942. p. 7. Retrieved 24 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "Sydney Eisteddfod To Be Revived". Morning Bulletin. No. 26, 397. Queensland, Australia. 16 January 1946. p. 3. Retrieved 24 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "Advertising". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 32, 090. Victoria, Australia. 9 July 1949. p. 37. Retrieved 22 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.

External links

• Sydney Eisteddfod website
• Sydney Eisteddfod Facebook