Entry Information

Heats:
One song of own choice. Total performance time of up to 4 minutes.

Up to 5 Finalists and two Reserve Finalists will be chosen from the heats.

For solo voice only. No backing vocals are permitted. Accompaniment can be with either:
(a) Piano and/or guitar accompaniment.
(b) Self-accompaniment.
(c) OR with recorded backing track.


Final:
Sunday, 25 August 2024 at Petersham RSL

Finalists prepare 2 contrasting works with a total performance time of up to 10 minutes (Including time taken between works).

Please note: You do NOT need to perform the same song in the Finals that you performed in the Heats. You can if you would like to, but it is not mandatory.

Both pieces will be accompanied by the Sydney Eisteddfod House Band (Drums, Piano, Bass & Guitar).

No backing tracks, private accompanists or self-accompaniment allowed.

Sheet Music:
It is up to each performer to provide clear, readable charts for each member of the band.

Below are some recommended sources.
Readymade Music: www.readymademusic.com
Barlow Music: www.barlowmusic.com.au

In addition, the band asks that a recording be provided to determine the style of the performance.

All sheet music and guide tracks need to be submitted to Sydney Eisteddfod by July 31 at the latest. Failure to submit music by this time may result in you being unable to participate in the event.

Adjudication will be based on originality of style, delivery, vocal ability, stagecraft and overall presentation, which includes audience communication (linking dialogue).

Adjudicators

Ryan Sheppard

Area of Specialty:
Dance/singing

Originating the role of Chistery in the 2008 Melbourne premiere season of Wicked (GFO Productions) Ryan went on to become one of the production’s longest serving cast members, performing the show over 1900 times and touring throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. As Dance Captain for the Australian production he was also part of the casting team for the South Korean company. In 2016, after an 8 year run with Wicked, he joined the cast of We Will Rock You (GFO Productions) understudying and performing the role of Brit. The later part of 2016 also saw him join the original Australian company of The Book Of Mormon (GFO Productions) as both Dance Captain and understudy Elder McKinley, opening the show in Melbourne to a record-breaking number of ticket sales. He continued to be a part of this incredible show as it toured Australia and New Zealand until it’s closed in 2020 due to the world wide pandemic. Ryan was a part of the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert in June 2022 on the Gold Coast that was directed by Trevor Ashley where he was the Dance Captain and covered two of the shows leading roles Tick and Bernadette. In 2023 Ryan lead the team of the Harry Potter Yule Ball Celebration in Sydney as the Dance Captain and leading host of the show. Most recently Ryan is seen on the new Australian reality docuseries Dance Life on Amazon Prime. In the U.S. he was part of the creative team on the motion picture Rent (Sony Pictures), appeared on the television show One Life To Live (Disney Channel), and performed in the Las Vegas production of Splash (Kutash Entertainment). He also toured Europe as A-Rab in West Side Story (Sun Dance Productions). He was Dance Captain for the 2016 Sydney Chinese New Year Festival (Sydney City Council) and his choreography credits include The Rob Guest Endowment, Nokia, TV1, Carols in the Park Sydney, the AVA Awards, Australia Day Sydney Council, and The Sydney Theatre Awards. As a commercial dancer Ryan has performed alongside Kelly Clarkson, Guy Sebastian, Will Young, Crystal Waters, and the Young Divas. He also teaches regularly around the country. As a singer he featured on Series 1 of Australian Idol and was signed with Warner Bros Publishing as a songwriter. He also tours internationally with the singing group Boys In The Band (SMA Productions).

Important Notes

Entrants can repeat songs once that have been performed in other events (Please refer to Item 4 under the Contemporary Singing Category Rules & Conditions).

Adjudicators' reports will be written for the preliminary heats only. No marks will be given on these reports..

Please note: You do NOT need to perform the same song in the Finals that you performed in the Heats. You can if you would like to, but it is not mandatory.

Conditions

Conditions:

1. Previous winners not eligible.
2. Adjudicators' reports will be written for the heats only. No marks will be given on these reports.
3. The Winner and Finalists must be reasonably available for media interviews and performance engagements. Sydney Eisteddfod will endeavour to continue to provide performance opportunities to alumni as a way of staying connected and nurturing the creative practices of all.
4. Finalists: Approved band charts for the item/s must be supplied for each individual musician - bass, drums, guitar and piano.

Band charts to be purchased from the approved arrangers listed below.

1) Dick Buchanan: www.dickbuchananmusic.com
2) Readymade Music: www.readymademusic.com
3) Barlow Music: www.barlowmusic.com.au
4) Talbot (Darryl Talbot): www.talbotmusic.net

If using arrangers other than those suggested above, they must be a member of the MAGA (Musicians and Arrangers Guild of Australia) - www.magainc.org.au/find.html

Please seek prior approval from Sydney Eisteddfod by sending an email at least one month prior, giving all relevant details so that our Musical Director can approve before proceeding with purchases from other arrangers except those listed above.

All band charts must be approved by our Musical Director before performance.

Please refer to the Contemporary Singing Rules & Conditions of Entry. Your entry is accepted under these conditions.

Prizes

Winner: $1,500
Sponsored by Petersham RSL Club.
The winner also receives a photographic portfolio courtesy of BWP Studios.

Finalists (excluding place-getter): $300 each.
Sponsored by Sydney Eisteddfod Jubilee Fund