Gallery: Talent shines on stage for Toowoomba City’s 75th Eisteddfod

Despite the committee’s recent decision to cancel the remaining categories, here are some of the talented students from the Toowoomba Eisteddfod, part two.

PLAY ON: Toowoomba Anglican School students (from left) Daniel Beit, Will Ferguson, Morgan Smith and Jake Leroux enjoyed performing at the 75th City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod on the Empire Theatre stage this week as part of the music, drama and speech section of this year’s eisteddfod. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod Inc. has announced the decision to cancel the rest of the 2021 eisteddfod competition due to growing Covid safety concerns.
“Due to the evolving situation with Covid-19, Eisteddfod management has decided to cancel the 2021 City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod,” the committee’s recent Facebook post said.

“Management committee’s priority is the health and well being of competitors, adjudicators, audiences, volunteers and the wider community and, while we are naturally disappointed, we feel that cancelling the remainder of this year’s Eisteddfod is our best option.”

The committee explained the cancellations applied to the afternoon and evening sessions on Saturday, July 31 as well.

The cancellation will come as a disappointment to hundreds of music, speech and drama students from across the region who have been preparing all year for the second part of this year’s eisteddfod.

At one of the instrumental music sessions earlier in the week, Toowoomba Anglican School student Morgan Smith said even though this was her first time competing, her nerves were settled by the knowledge that her school mates were by her side.

“Feels nice knowing that my friends will always be here for me, cheering me on,” she said.

“I won first place in the Year 6 saxophone solo and came second in the Year 6 popular movie woodwind solo and I’m getting ready to go on stage for my duet with Jake.”

GALLERY: Young musicians on show

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The young sax duo had been rehearsing for weeks with a jazz number called Brian’s Place.

“It’s quite groovy so we should have lots of fun,” Miss Smith said.

“I think that’s the most important thing about eisteddfod, having fun with your friends and participating.”

Ms Smith’s partner, Jake Leroux agreed.

“We’ve been practising together at school and at home for week,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what place you get so long as you’re having fun up on the stage.”