EISTEDDFOD OPPORTUNITIES
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 3:50 pm
THE TOWNSVILLE EISTEDDFOD has just concluded. I was fortunate enough to be the adjudicator for the Bush Poetry Sections and Hal was the very helpful 'penciller'.
Those familiar with Eisteddfods will be aware of the following –
Organisers’ Notes
“An eisteddfod (plural eisteddfodau or eisteddfods) is a festival of performing and visual arts and literature. It is a Welsh tradition that dates back to at least the 12th century.
The Townsville Eisteddfod is open to competitors up to the age of 18 years. It is held annually in September. In a typical year, about 2000 entries are received in about 300 competitive events (called "Sections") held over 19 days. Altogether, these result in about 18,000 individual performances.”
Three sections for Bush Poetry were included for the first time in 2015 – ages 10 and under, ages 11-13 and ages 14-18. The sponsor for prizes and certificates was the Townsville Bush Poetry Mates and the TBPM President, Barry Graham, made the impressive trophies. There were 6 entrants in the first section, 8 in the second and (due primarily to overseas school excursions for the holiday period) only one in the 14-18 category. However, the Bush Poetry sections took place just prior to the Literary Awards Presentation Ceremony and so, by default, there was a very large audience to hear the delightful presentations from the young poets. This was also an ideal chance to tell people a little about bush poetry. (Never slow to miss a promotional opportunity.)
The committee of the Townsville Eisteddfod were happy with the Bush Poetry component and are going to promote these sections with the hope of increasing participation in 2018.
Eisteddfods offer great opportunities for our talented youth and if you are not already involved in your area, it could be worth pursuing this potential outlet for both performers, adjudicators and volunteers from the Bush Poetry genre.
It would be good to hear if anyone else is doing this type of thing. This was my first 'adjudication' post. We had a great time and were so impressed with the children.
Those familiar with Eisteddfods will be aware of the following –
Organisers’ Notes
“An eisteddfod (plural eisteddfodau or eisteddfods) is a festival of performing and visual arts and literature. It is a Welsh tradition that dates back to at least the 12th century.
The Townsville Eisteddfod is open to competitors up to the age of 18 years. It is held annually in September. In a typical year, about 2000 entries are received in about 300 competitive events (called "Sections") held over 19 days. Altogether, these result in about 18,000 individual performances.”
Three sections for Bush Poetry were included for the first time in 2015 – ages 10 and under, ages 11-13 and ages 14-18. The sponsor for prizes and certificates was the Townsville Bush Poetry Mates and the TBPM President, Barry Graham, made the impressive trophies. There were 6 entrants in the first section, 8 in the second and (due primarily to overseas school excursions for the holiday period) only one in the 14-18 category. However, the Bush Poetry sections took place just prior to the Literary Awards Presentation Ceremony and so, by default, there was a very large audience to hear the delightful presentations from the young poets. This was also an ideal chance to tell people a little about bush poetry. (Never slow to miss a promotional opportunity.)
The committee of the Townsville Eisteddfod were happy with the Bush Poetry component and are going to promote these sections with the hope of increasing participation in 2018.
Eisteddfods offer great opportunities for our talented youth and if you are not already involved in your area, it could be worth pursuing this potential outlet for both performers, adjudicators and volunteers from the Bush Poetry genre.
It would be good to hear if anyone else is doing this type of thing. This was my first 'adjudication' post. We had a great time and were so impressed with the children.