Entry Information

Repertoire Requirements

Works must be prepared and performed from memory for all rounds.

Heats:
A video recording of one work with a Total performance time of up to 15 minutes. This must be a recorded performance made in 2024, filmed in a single take and without edit.

The video recording and supporting documentation must be uploaded to the Sydney Eisteddfod Entrant Portal by Monday, April 29 2024 - by 23:59

Semi - Final:
Friday, 5 July 2024 at Chippen Street Theatre | Sydney Eisteddfod @ Chippen Street

8 entrants will be selected to give a live performance of two contrasting works which must vary in style and period. The performance must not exceed a total duration of 15 minutes (includes the time taken between pieces/movements). Selection of works may include item prepared in the Heats.

Final:
Saturday, 20 July 2024 at Chippen Street Theatre | Sydney Eisteddfod @ Chippen Street

4 entrants will be selected to present a recital program of works varied in style and period and may include works from the Semi - Finals or Heats. The performance must not exceed a total duration of 20 minutes (includes the time taken between pieces/movements).

Adjudicators

Nancy Litten

Nancy won an Arts Council award to study in London with Julius Isserlis at thirteen, and an Open Piano Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at sixteen, winning prizes during her studies there. She has performed as a pianist in solo, orchestral and chamber music, and as a piano accompanist, being well known in Kent. She is an all-round musician, also having been a freelance orchestral violinist and leader of a string quartet. Tutoring has formed a large part of her life, from beginners through to diploma level; she has taught privately and in many different types of school, also courses and masterclasses. She is an ABRSM examiner, and adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals (serving as Representative on the Adjudicators' Council). Alfred UK has published a range of her books: two series of tutors (electric keyboard, and violin), piano trio arrangements of famous piano pieces Classical Vienna, and Romantic Vienna, three books for singers, choirs and accompanists. Her pieces and arrangements can be found in many publications (including The Sad Ghost at piano (ABRSM grade 3). EVC Music has recently published a book of her original piano pieces (intermediate) called Piano Postcards.

Jerry Wong

Area of Specialty:
classical piano

Jerry Wong has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia in such prestigious settings as the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, National Concert Hall of Taipei, National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., Opera City Hall in Tokyo, Severance Hall in Cleveland, Shriver Hall in Baltimore and Weill Recital Hall in New York City. From 2003-2019, he was Professor of Piano at Kent State University in the US. In July of 2019, Mr. Wong relocated to Australia to join the staff at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music as an Associate Professor of Piano and Head of Keyboard.

Important Notes

All entrants are to submit a video recording for the heats via the Sydney Eisteddfod Entrant Portal. Please ensure you have all required supporting documentation ready for upload at the time of submitting your application.

The video submission must be uploaded to the Sydney Eisteddfod Entrant Portal by Monday, April 29 2024 - by 23:59

Please use the following format when naming your file:
Event #_Entrant First & Last Name_Item 1 (Title_ Composer)

e.g., Event 212_ Emily Jones_ Sonata No.3 in F Sharp Minor_Scriabin

Acceptable file types include:
.avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

Upon progressing to the semi-finals, the following supporting documentation is required:

* Proof of age and Australian/New Zealand residency status (e.g. birth certificate or current passport - a driver's license or student ID is not acceptable).
* A 200-word biography
* A short statement outlining your career ambitions and what you hope to achieve with the help of the Sydney Eisteddfod Kawai Junior Piano Scholarship.
* A publicity picture in colour as a JPEG file - in high resolution (minimum 2M.B.)
* Proposed repertoire for the Semi - Final and Final

Please use the following format when listing your proposed works for later rounds (including complete titles for all movements, if applicable)

Example:

Piano Sonata No. 1 in F# minor, Opus 11 by Robert Schumann (28:00 mins)
I. Introduzione. Un poco adagio - Allegro Vivace
II. Aria
III. Scherzo e Intermezzo. Allegrissimo - Lento
IV. Finale. Allegro un poco maestoso

Changes to repertoire cannot be made any later than the fortnight leading up to the Semi - Final. Entrants will be notified if their repertoire is considered unsuitable for the later rounds.

Email: [email protected] if you have any questions relating to this submission method

Conditions

1. Previous winners not eligible.
2. Event is open to any pianist who is a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.
~ Residency and proof of age documents are required when submitting your application. This can include a Birth Certificate or an Australian or New Zealand passport or a permanent resident stamp. A driver's licence is not acceptable.
3. Adjudicator reports will be written for the preliminary heats only. No marks will be given on these reports.
4. Four finalists and two Reserve Finalists will be selected from the Semi - Finals.
5. The awarding of the scholarship is at the discretion of the adjudicators and is given on the understanding that the Winner will undertake study in piano performance, including masterclasses, private lessons, covering travel costs for music performance related activities - both domestically and or internationally.
6. In awarding the scholarship the adjudicators will take into consideration presentation, current level of achievement, commitment to professional development and artistic potential.
7. The scholarship must be utilised within two years of winning and completed within two years thereafter. The payment of instalments is upon application to Sydney Eisteddfod with satisfactory reports of progress from the winner's teacher or teaching institution.
8. 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.
9. Please refer to the Piano Rules & Conditions of Entry.

Prizes

Winner: $5,000 ($1,000 cash plus $4,000 Scholarship). Sponsored by Kawai Australia.

Finalists (excluding place-getter): $300 each. Sponsored by the Estate of the Late John Allison AM