A BIG YEAR AHEAD AS 2024 SYDNEY EISTEDDFOD OPENS FOR ENTRIES

Fostering creativity since 1933 – Sydney Eisteddfod offers performance opportunities to everyone that enters, creating a richer and more vibrant culture, so that we all can dream, perform, achieve and inspire.

Sydney Eisteddfod, the esteemed arts organisation, enters its 10^th decade with plenty of fresh ideas, new partnerships, hundreds of events and, of course, talent galore! With a performing arts festival running from May to September with some 350 different events, Sydney Eisteddfod encourages and develops talented young Australians whether they be solo singers, dancers, musicians, actors or collectively, as orchestras, bands or choirs.

Entry to all 2024 Sydney Eisteddfod events is now open, and performers at all skill levels are encouraged to apply early to secure their place. 

Dream, Perform, Achieve, Inspire 

With over $400,000 dollars in prize money and scholarships, the 2024 Sydney Eisteddfod nurtures, encourages and develops emerging singers, dancers, actors, musicians, composers, bands, choirs, and orchestras.  

 Apart from flagship scholarships offered in Ballet, Opera, Piano, Choir and Orchestral, Sydney Eisteddfod also caters for talented youngsters who are keen to showcase their skills in other areas such as reciting an Australian poem, monologue in character, Shakespeare monologue, singing in French or Italian, jazz, tap or contemporary dance, and even news reading and radio announcing! 

‘This year we expect up to 28,000 young Australians to take part in the opportunities that the Sydney Eisteddfod offers. This is one of the largest festivals in Australia and encompasses all the performing arts.

We have blue-chip adjudicators from leading arts companies around the world, including Dani Evrat (from the Rocky Horror Show) in the dance sector, and in the prestigious classical ballet sector, the current Artistic Director and choreographer of Houston Ballet Stanton Welch AM. For the Doctors Orchestra we have acclaimed clarinetist Lloyd Van’t Hoff from Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium.’ said Annette Brown, General Manager of Sydney Eisteddfod. 

Over 2.5 million entrants have graced Sydney Eisteddfod’s stages, driven by a passion to excel, compete for prizes and scholarships, or simply the pure joy of creative expression. With over 25,000 entrants, who perform to an audience of more than 170,000 people, the annual Sydney Eisteddfod is a beacon of inspiration, playing a vital role in Australia’s arts community developing the next generation of Australian superstars across the music, dance and performing arts galaxy.

In 2023, on the back of their Sydney Eisteddfod performances, four young classical ballet dancers were offered a scholarship and a life-changing professional development opportunity with Houston Ballet Academy in Texas, USA. This is just one of the exciting new opportunities that Sydney Eisteddfod offers its Ballet Scholarship entrants. 

 Last year’s winner of the Sydney Eisteddfod Kawai Senior Piano Scholarship was Rae Yue Pung. She has since signed a recording contract with a label in the UK and her first album is due to be released this year. 

The opportunity to perform in the Sydney Eisteddfod runs from May to September 2024, with a program of over 350 events. During this period, the Eisteddfod provides opportunities for entrants to showcase their talents across high-profile venues in Sydney, including the Sydney Opera House, The Concourse Chatswood, Darlinghurst Theatre, Petersham RSL, and Sydney Eisteddfod’s exciting new venue, Chippen Street Theatre. 

The Sydney Eisteddfod is committed to providing a supportive environment for all performers, regardless  of their level of experience or skill. Whether you are seasoned professional or a budding young artist, the Sydney Eisteddfod offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable performance experience, receive feedback from industry professionals and connect with other performers from across the country.

Key Events & Dates 

January 29 – 2024 Sydney Eisteddfod (SE) opens for entries 

March 30 – regular entry window closes 

April 29 – video submissions due 

Saturday June 22 – Sydney Eisteddfod Australasian Open Choral Championship & SE Australasian Championship for Youth Choirs (19 years and under) – Concert Hall, The Concourse, Chatswood 

Sunday July 14 – Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship (21-35 years) – Concert Hall, The Concourse, Chatswood, accompanied by Willougby Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr Nicholas Milton 

Saturday July 20 – Sydney Eisteddfod Kawai Junior Piano Scholarship (11-16 years) – Chippen St Theatre, Chippendale 

Sunday July 21 – Sydney Eisteddfod Junior Classical Ballet Scholarship (14-15 years) & SE Ballet Scholarship (16-19 years) – Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House 

Friday August 16 – Sydney Eisteddfod Kawai Senior Piano Scholarship (17-26 years) – Darlinghurst Theatre, adjudicated by Jerry Wong, Konstantin Shamray & Vatche Jambazian 

Saturday August 17 – Sydney Eisteddfod NSW Drs Orchestra Instrumental Junior Scholarship (13-18 years) & SE NSW Drs Orchestra Instrumental Senior Scholarship (19-26 years) – Darlinghurst Theatre  

Saturday August 24 – Sydney Eisteddfod Junior Singer of the Year (12-15 years) & Senior Singer of the Year (16-24 years) – Petersham RSL 

Sunday September 8 – Sydney Eisteddfod Dance of Champions – Concert Hall, The Concourse, Chatswood  

To find out more about this year’s festival visit: www.sydneyeisteddfod.com.au 

All entries are online. To enter, follow the simple instructions: https://sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/enter-an-event/