Gold Coast Eisteddfod: Hundreds of young singers take to HOTA stage

Hundreds of students have been appearing on stage at HOTA in the most colourful and fun-filled section of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. And the results have been ‘outstanding’.

The A.B. Patterson College Year 1 Choir performs at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. Picture: Pru Wilson photography.

UP to 800 students have been appearing on stage at HOTA every day in the most colourful, fun-filled and challenging section – for organisers – at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

Eisteddfod volunteers say among the most enjoyable moments of the seven-week event is the staging of the Novelty Primary School Choir section.

Saint Stephens's College Vox Choir at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. Picture: Pru Wilson Photography.

Some of the youngest entrants get just five minutes to perform at the Art Centre’s main stage – but they leave with their faces beaming. Many arrived wearing pyjamas as costumes.

Eisteddfod general manager Judith Ferber told the Bulletin: “By the end of the day there will have been 800 students here. We have 170 choirs in total over four days. The adjudicator is shocked at the (outstanding) standards.

“They were all primary school students today. They were tiny tots up to Grade Six. Yes, it’s always a marathon (to organise).”

35 pictures: Choral groups at Gold Coast Eisteddfod

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Assistant general Nicci Wilson admitted the challenge was ensuring the program ran on time, and students did not get lost.

“We have them arrive out the front of HOTA. They wait there with their teachers. We then collect them and put them into an auditorium or a dressing room,” Ms Wilson said.

“Then they are performing, then back to the auditorium and finally on their buses back to school.”

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Coomera Anglican College yr 2-3 at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. Picture: Pru Wilson photography.

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The novelty section was followed by the secondary school choral groups which finished with the Premier Grade – the Harley Mead Memorial Award in open age – the best of the best.

On the weekend, the judging moved to dance solos at the Albert Waterways Hall. The competition there will continue for two weeks. The adjudicators include Matt Lee and Kate Wormald from ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.