Sound of vocals heads to region for first time

Stanthorpe will come alive with the sound of music when festival lovers from across Queensland flock to the Granite Belt.

ARTS COUP: The spectacle that is the Queensland Eisteddfod is coming to Stanthorpe. Picture: Tony Martin

STANTHORPE will come alive with the sound of music when festival lovers from across Queensland flock to the Granite Belt for the 126th Queensland Eisteddfod.

Stanthorpe's Local Organising Committee has welcomed a $10,000 community grant from Southern Downs Regional Council.

Committee chairman Max Hunter said the group was thrilled and extremely thankful for the grant which will allow a world class event to be hosted in the region.

The 2019 eisteddfod, to be held from April 19-21, marks the first time Stanthorpe has hosted the event.

"This was a much-needed grant as it was very difficult to secure local or corporate sponsorship to support this event because of the current conditions impacting the region, including drought and fires,” Mr Hunter said.

"We are grateful to receive the grant which will allow the prestigious event to be held in our region.

"The Stanthorpe LOC and the council have worked together over the last year to plan and organise this year's eisteddfod.”

Mr Hunter said the grant would be used to engage two professional adjudicators, Richard Morphew and Peta Blyth, as well as two top accompanists, Natalie McCosker and Grant Ovenden, for the event.

The Stanthorpe Civic Centre will fill with the angelic voices of some of Queensland's best choral performers as they showcase their talent and celebrate the performing arts.

Mr Hunter said tourism operators in Southern Downs and Granite Belt would benefit greatly from the event which would deliver a much-needed economic boost to the region.

Mr Hunter reminded Granite Belt locals and visitors the Welcome Ceremony will be held on Saturday evening at Stanthorpe Civic Centre.

It will showcase the winning choirs and vocalists of the three-day competition who will perform items in Welsh as well as English.

Tickets for the Welcome Ceremony will be available from Gracious Giving in Maryland St, Stanthorpe.

Information can be found on the Queensland Eisteddfod Stanthorpe 2019 Facebook page.

By holding an eisteddfod in a different Queensland city each year, the Eisteddfod Council of Queensland fosters the performing arts in Queensland communities.

For more information contact qldeisteddfod2019 @gmail.com or head to southerndownsand granitebelt.com.au.