Musical Theatre

Saturday 2nd August 2025


VENUE: Balaklava Town Hall – See Eisteddfod Venues page

CONVENOR: Chris Fisher

ADJUDICATOR: TBA

Adjudicator bio to come.

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


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.