Sydney Eisteddfod

The Sydney Eisteddfod is an annual musical competition, supported by professionals in arts and education. The event features 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,[http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4273546 The Sydney Eisteddfod Story: 1933–1941 by Jennie Rowley Lees]{{cite web | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17008201#pstart1149219 | title=Advancing Australia | newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald | date=19 September 1933 }} the inaugural compeititon took place from 9 to 26 August in the Sydney Town Hall and Paling's Concert Hall. The event attracted significant public interest, with an illustrated souvenir programme sold for one shilling.{{cite web |title=|| getexpi || |url=http://www.musicaustralia.org/apps/MA?function=showDetail¤tBibRecord=000011362005&itemSeq=6&total=13&returnFunction=searchResults&term1=City+of+Sydney+Eisteddfod.&location1=Anywhere&scope=scope¶meter1=phrase&boolean1=and&sessionId=reuseSearch6C8B713D81E2F53EB81F4E2B7E20DD4B1314254818662 |access-date=25 August 2011 |archive-date=29 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329074523/http://www.musicaustralia.org/apps/MA?function=showDetail¤tBibRecord=000011362005&itemSeq=6&total=13&returnFunction=searchResults&term1=City+of+Sydney+Eisteddfod.&location1=Anywhere&scope=scope¶meter1=phrase&boolean1=and&sessionId=reuseSearch6C8B713D81E2F53EB81F4E2B7E20DD4B1314254818662 |url-status=dead }}

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.

{{cite web

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|title=Sydney Eisteddfod

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|access-date=15 September 2024

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In 2011, the Sydney Eisteddfod won the City of Sydney Business Award in the Cultural and Creative Services category.{{Cite web |title=Media | City of Sydney - News |url=http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/4717-all-the-worlds-a-stage-for-business-awards-winner |access-date=19 March 2014 |archive-date=19 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319091846/http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/4717-all-the-worlds-a-stage-for-business-awards-winner/ |url-status=dead }}

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 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).{{Cite web |title=Sydney Eisteddfod |url=https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/62870 |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130042434/https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/62870 |url-status=dead }}

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|date=February 2024}}

The Eisteddfod was suspended for four years during the Pacific War but resumed again afterwards.{{cite news |date=16 January 1942 |title=Sydney Eisteddfod Suspended |page=7 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=32,466 |location=New South Wales, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17783935 |access-date=24 November 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |date=16 January 1946 |title=Sydney Eisteddfod To Be Revived |page=3 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |issue=26,397 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56431316 |access-date=24 November 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}} In 1949, the Sun News-Pictorial began sponsorsing the aria, coinciding with the Melbourne Sun Aria contests.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22763452 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=32,090 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=9 July 1949 |access-date=22 December 2023 |page=37 |via=National Library of Australia}} 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.

• {{cite book|title=The Sydney Eisteddfod story : 1933–1941|isbn=978-0-9757483-3-6|author=Jennie Rowley Lees|year=2008|publisher=Sydney Eisteddfod }}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.sydneyeisteddfod.com.au Sydney Eisteddfod website]
• [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Eisteddfod/31611554165 Sydney Eisteddfod Facebook]

{{Sydney events}}

Category:1933 establishments in Australia

Category:Eisteddfod

Category:Festivals in Sydney

Category:Welsh diaspora in Australia

Category:Organisations based in Sydney

Category:Non-profit organisations based in New South Wales