Eisteddfod held at Peninsula Theatre
The Peninsula Theatre has hosted the latest Central Coast Eisteddfod sessions.
Performers from many parts of the Central Coast competed in the popular vocal solo section, held daily from July 4 to 11,.
A qualified adjudicator from Sydney judged contestants and each performer received extensive comments on their performance.
Trophies were presented to the first three place getters for each age group in each section.
The popular vocal solo section was open to children and adults.
The youngest age group was nine years and under but the majority of performers were in their mid-teens.
Musical categories covered included pop, rock, rock & roll, jazz, blues, contemporary Christian, country, country rock, country and western, bush, musical theatre, contemporary, children's film and music theatre, and rock opera.
This year marks the 28th anniversary of the eisteddfod on the Central Coast.
An example of each event was seen on July 10 when 11 entrants, all female, competed in section 804 being for 14 year old entrants in the popular vocal solo contemporary own choice, specially restricted section.
First place was awarded to Emma Vile, second to Nickie Thomsen and third to Hailie Markham.
This was Nickie's fourth performance on the day and only her first year of singing.
"I do drama at school and want to do musicals as a career so I thought I'd give this a go," she said.
"So far I've received highly commended certificates for each performance and to get a trophy and second place was more than I expected."
Convenor of the "popular vocal" competition, Mrs Gail Beaman, was enthusiastic about the high level of talent on the Central Coast.
"We are also pleased with the quality of adjudicator that we have had.
"Today we have Jonathan Mill, one of Australia's leading musical theatre performers.
"He has appeared in Buddy, West Side Story, Cabaret and Mick and Mabel and has written and directed many shows including three Sydney Cabaret Convention winners," Mrs Beaman said.
Cec Bucello, July 11