Eisteddfod marks successful start

Narrabri Arts Eisteddfod marked a brilliant start last week, with The Crossing Theatre brought to life with the acclaimed event’s music section.

The adjudicator this year was Emma Jimenez, an instrumental music teacher based in Brisbane.

Emma was very impressed with the wide repertoire of pieces and instruments and the high standard of performance and teaching.

Emma expressed high praise for both the teachers and the performers for their well-prepared performances.

The dance section of the eisteddfod started last Friday, running across the weekend. The drama section was held yesterday and today.

The program started with woodwind sections, with standout performances by Winnie Winston-Smith (Woodwind 20th Century Solo 12 years and Under), Caitlyn Taylor (Woodwind Solo Study 15 years and under), Molly Winston-Smith (Beginner Woodwind Solo – 10 years and under) Grace Freeman and Matilda Murphy (Instrumental Duet – 12 years and under).

Levi Adams excelled in the Guitar Solo – 15 years and under, with his performance of Slip Knot – Left Behind.

Monday evening offered a wonderful varied programme with excellent performances by Wee Waa Community Band, Lauren Brown (vocal), Hayley Yandell-Smith (piano) and Peter Carrett (on a variety of instruments).

Tuesday morning’s program included beginner piano items for beginner and more advanced, instrumental solo and the musical entertainment school section.

Standout performers included Henrietta Lowien (20th century piano solo – grade 1), Camilla Lampe (piano sight reading – grade 2), Allira Tibbet (popular piano solo – 15 years and under) and Daniel Smith (piano for leisure – Grade 7, Piano solo, own choice, 15 years and under).

The musical entertainment section was well supported by our local schools including St Francis Xavier’s, Narrabri West, Narrabri Public, Burren Junction Public School, St John’s Baradine and Bellata Public.

All the performances in this section were enjoyed immensely by the adjudicator and the audience.

In the musical entertainment infant school section Narrabri Public School was awarded first place with their entertaining version of Peter Combe’s Wash Your Face in Orange Juice, followed closely by St Francis Xavier’s Infants in 2nd place with He’s Got the Whole World.

Burren Junction Public School and Narrabri West also delivered fantastic performances with Wollerma and This Old Man.

In the Primary School Choir section, St John’s Baradine received 1st place with We Stand and I Am The Earth.

In the Primary School small choir section Narrabri Public School received first place with My Island Home and Always Remember.

Adjudicator Emma Jimenez with Coonabarabran High School students in preparation for their HSC later in the year. Standing, Emma Jimenez, Megan Hain, Sam Bowman, Ellah Bowmaker, Alex McWhirter, Peter Thompson, Thomas Snitch and Shafin Salim (sitting). Photos Robyn Barnes. Adjudicator Emma Jimenez with Coonabarabran High School students in preparation for their HSC later in the year. Standing, Emma Jimenez, Megan Hain, Sam Bowman, Ellah Bowmaker, Alex McWhirter, Peter Thompson, Thomas Snitch and Shafin Salim (sitting). Photos Robyn Barnes.

Adjudicator Emma Jimenez with some of the up and coming piano, vocal and instrumental performers. Elsie Bennett, Henrietta Lowien, Estelle Hartin, Amelia Lennox, Poppi Bottle-Hart, Fleur Lowien, Bela Campbell, Olivia Campbell, Nina Campbell, Camilla Lampe (sitting) and front, Dougald Lowien. Adjudicator Emma Jimenez with some of the up and coming piano, vocal and instrumental performers. Elsie Bennett, Henrietta Lowien, Estelle Hartin, Amelia Lennox, Poppi Bottle-Hart, Fleur Lowien, Bela Campbell, Olivia Campbell, Nina Campbell, Camilla Lampe (sitting) and front, Dougald Lowien.

Jessica Stuart received second place in the open vocal solo with her very energetic and entertaining performance. Jessica Stuart received second place in the open vocal solo with her very energetic and entertaining performance.

Brass solo – master’s section: Peter Carrett added a touch of jazz to the program with his enjoyable performance of ‘Wizard Wheezes’ and the ‘Pink Panther’ on the trumpet. Brass solo – master’s section: Peter Carrett added a touch of jazz to the program with his enjoyable performance of ‘Wizard Wheezes’ and the ‘Pink Panther’ on the trumpet.

Hayley Yandell-Smith delighted the audience with her sensitive performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 3 and received first place. Hayley Yandell-Smith delighted the audience with her sensitive performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 3 and received first place.

Marilyn Collins, Hayley Yandell-Smith and Mark Smith enjoying the evening music program. Marilyn Collins, Hayley Yandell-Smith and Mark Smith enjoying the evening music program.

Mikayla Smith played ‘Rohan’ by Howard Shore in the bowed Instrument solo – 19 years and under item and received second place. Mikayla Smith played ‘Rohan’ by Howard Shore in the bowed Instrument solo – 19 years and under item and received second place.

Lauren Brown – received first place in the open vocal section with her performance of the song ‘No one Else’. Lauren Brown – received first place in the open vocal section with her performance of the song ‘No one Else’.