Musical Theatre
Saturday 2nd August 2025
VENUE: Balaklava Town Hall – See Eisteddfod Venues page
CONVENOR: Chris Fisher
ADJUDICATOR: Stella Panozzo
Stella has over 25 years of experience as a teacher, singer and pianist. She has taught and performed in many parts of Australia and Europe, having toured internationally as a guest soloist in Canada, America, England, Wales, Germany, and Austria, showcasing a wide repertoire from musical theatre to opera. Many of her students now have professional careers as performers and teachers in various styles, including Musical Theatre, Opera, and Contemporary Commercial Music.
As well as teaching and performing, Stella also adjudicates for Eisteddfods and Vocal scholarships and serves as an examiner and advisor for the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). Stella is a Life Member of the National Singing Teachers Association of Australia Ltd. (ANATS) and a member of Vocology in Practice (ViP) and the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA). She currently teaches singing technique at Adelaide University.
DISCIPLINE INFORMATION
Entrants MUST read the Syllabus Notes for Saturday for detailed information and the Rules & Conditions of Entry
Sections will include solo and ensemble (2-5 voices)
SEE SYLLABUS page for details on how to enter.
Musical Theatre Sections:
Depending on number of entries, some SECTIONS may be divided, combined, cancelled or have entries CLOSED EARLY when capacity is reached
Junior Musical Theatre Solo – Age 12 & under
Intermediate Musical Theatre Solo (Des Ross AM & Joyce Ross AM Memorial Award) – Age 13-15
Senior Musical Theatre Solo – Age 16-18
Open Musical Theatre Solo – Age 19 & over
ANNOUNCE MUSICAL THEATRE SOLO CHAMPION and ROGER MANUEL MEMORIAL AWARD
Musical Theatre Ensemble (2-5 voices) – Junior – all members 13 years & under
Musical Theatre Ensemble (2-5 voices) – Open – Ensembles with any members 14 years or over
ANNOUNCE MUSICAL THEATRE ENSEMBLE CHAMPION
For full Program Outline with section details click HERE
(See the Program page for full program)
DES ROSS AM & JOYCE ROSS AM MEMORIAL AWARD
(Intermediate Musical Theatre Solo)
DESMOND GLYN ROSS AM & JOYCE ROSS AM
1928-2002 and 1928-2023
Des Ross AM, Salter Springs farmer, community and a State leader and Joyce Ross AM, teacher and pioneer of regional community arts in South Australia, have both left an indelible mark on the Arts scene of Balaklava and surrounding areas.
The Des Ross AM and Joyce Ross AM Memorial Trophy for Intermediate Musical Theatre, awarded at the Balaklava Eisteddfod Society annual competitions, commemorates Des and Joyce’s encouragement of emerging performing artists.
Joyce, a graduate of Elder Conservatorium of Music, and teacher with a passion for music and singing, was the first secretary of the Balaklava Community Arts, having been one of the youngest members when it was known as the ‘Balaklava Choral and Music Lovers’ Society’.
Joyce’s vision to save the old Balaklava Courthouse building (est. 1913) from demolition, established the Balaklava Courthouse Gallery as a sub-committee of Balaklava Community Arts Inc. in 1991. The Gallery became an independent entity in September 1992 and continues to offer regular exhibitions by South Australian artists and creatives throughout the calendar year.
During Des’ chairmanship of the Libraries Board of SA, he facilitated two concerts by Balaklava High School music students staged in the historical Mortlock Library, North Terrace, and two exhibitions of work by local and regional artists in the foyer of the State Library.
Des and Joyce’s contributions to the arts have significantly enriched the cultural landscape of Balaklava and surrounding areas and will always be remembered.
ROGER MANUEL MEMORIAL AWARD
(Musical Theatre Solo Champion and Vocal Solo Champion)
ROGER JOHN MANUEL
2.12.1946 – 24.10.1995
Roger Manuel’s family donated the Roger Manuel Memorial Award in his memory after he died in 1995 at the age of 48. Roger learned to play the button accordion as a young boy and went on to play drums in a rock band. He was a talented musician and could play a tune on just about any instrument. Roger’s family decided an award for an Eisteddfod entrant in his memory was a fitting memorial.