THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD The Australian National Eisteddfod Society Inc. ABN 32 452 693 087 PO Box 94, Civic Square, ACT 2608 Ph: 6249 7421 – email info@nationaleisteddfod.org.au

MEDIA RELEASE

Contemporary Music Division Inaugural Night

The Australian National Eisteddfod has added a Contemporary Music Division to its range of competitions and it all kicks off this Thursday 3 August at 6pm.

Music is an art form that has traditionally reflected the times in which people live. This should be no less the case in the 21st Century. For this reason, the Australian National Eisteddfod is delighted to be able to offer aspiring young musicians as well as emerging professionals the opportunity to compete in this division on Thursday night. The flagship section of the competition is the Dom Harvey Contemporary Australian Brass solo, open to players aged 27 and under. We hope that by offering these opportunities we will be assisting the musicians to find their own way in the music industry through the composition and performance of music that will define their generation.

Highlights of this year’s program include:

1. Dom Harvey Contemporary Australian Brass solo competition.
2. Performances of new works by both local and interstate composers.
3. High standard performances of contemporary works all written within the last 25 years.

Program for 6pm Thursday 3 August includes:

Classical Composition for Years 11 & 12
Classical Composition for 25 Years & Under for solo or accompanied instrument/voice
Open Classical Composition for ensemble 3-8 players
Open Classical Composition for solo or accompanied instrument/voice
Open Contemporary Classical Performance for solo or accompanied instrument/voice
The Dom Harvey Australian Contemporary Brass Solo

All to be held at Rehearsal Room 3, Australian National University School of Music.

The Eisteddfod has a long and proud history in Canberra and this year will be no exception, with the 200 sections in 7 Divisions showcasing some 1500 individual performances, with 4000 performers as part of groups - bands, orchestras, choirs, and ensembles. 
 
Tickets ($4 adults and $2 concessions) are available at the door.

Other Eisteddfod sections in 2006:

Patron – His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC (Retd)
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Vice-Patron – Professor Larry Sitsky AM
Distinguished Fellow in Composition, Australian National University