Vocal Ensemble (4-9 voices)
Friday 31st July 2026
* More than two entries per school are allowed in this discipline, providing the total number of Friday entries does not exceed FIVE per school.
VENUE – All sections will be held at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Balaklava – See Eisteddfod Venues page
CONVENOR: Sally Cowan
ADJUDICATOR: Kerry Sampson
Kerry Sampson studied classical voice at Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music, and music theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. She has performed in a range of styles, from music theatre to opera. She also has extensive experience on the concert platform as a soloist. For several years, Kerry was a member of the acclaimed Adelaide Chamber Singers, touring and recording extensively.
Kerry has returned to Adelaide after living in the UK for more than 20 years, where she was the Head of Junior Music in a busy West London independent school, conducting choirs throughout the school, working with children from ages 7 to 18. While living in London, Kerry sang with the International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army, and was also their assistant conductor. Kerry currently teaches singing in several schools, tutors for the Australian Girls Choir and is the Principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts School, Norwood and Burnside.
GENERAL DISCIPLINE INFORMATION
Entrants MUST read the Syllabus Notes for Friday 31st July 2026 for detailed information and the Rules & Conditions of Entry
Ensembles consist of 4-9 voices only. An interchange of 2 members is allowed as long as there are no more than 9 on stage at any one time.
SEE SYLLABUS page for details on how to enter.
Vocal Ensemble Sections:
Depending on number of entries, some SECTIONS may be divided, combined, cancelled or have entries CLOSED EARLY when capacity is reached
9.10am – Senior ‘B’ Vocal Ensemble – Year 12 & under
10.15am – Intermediate Vocal Ensemble – Year 9 & under
11.00am – Junior Vocal Ensemble – Year 6 & under
12.50pm – Senior ‘A’ Vocal Ensemble – Year 12 & under
ANNOUNCE VOCAL ENSEMBLE CHAMPION
(BILL HEWETT MEMORIAL AWARD)
ANNOUNCE SA COUNTRY CHORAL ASSOCIATION ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
For full Friday details click HERE (Updated 07/07/2026)
(See the Program page for full program)
BILL HEWETT MEMORIAL AWARD
(Vocal Ensemble 4-9 Champion)
WILLIAM ARTHUR HERBERT HEWETT
01.11.1927 – 11.03.2011
Bill, or “Kamaru” as he was known to members of the Scouting movement, was a dedicated community member most remembered as the local 1st Balaklava Scout Leader and ‘Barossa and Light’ District Commissioner. Life Membership was awarded in 1990 for his many years of service to Scouting.
His greatest passion however was choral singing. He was a member of the Gawler Choral Society, the Gawler-Barossa Oratorio Choir, Balaklava Music Lovers’ Choral Society, Balaklava Community Arts and the Adelaide Plains Male Voice Choir. He sang in choirs for over 70 years under 46 different conductors. Bill was renowned for singing bass in perfect pitch and was a valued member of the Adelaide Plains Male Voice Choir for many years. He reluctantly retired from the Adelaide Plains Male Voice Choir in 2008 but continued to enjoy choral performances.