The competition gets underway from 9am at the Tourist Information Centre and moves into the Manning Entertainment Centre on April 22 for the open sections.

Vocal entrants will be under the eye of experienced adjudicator Christina Wilson.

Christina adjudicates and gives masterclasses national and internationally and is also the current president of the ACT chapter of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing. 

Her achievements include winning the Australian Singing Competition’s Marianne Mathy Award. 

She is also a prize winning graduate of the Canberra School of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and the National Opera Studio in London.

A mezzo soprano, Christina has sung profressionally in opera, oratario and recital performances throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States and Australia. 

She is broadcast regularly on ABC Classic FM and has recorded for the ABC Classics label. 

In addition the her private studio, Christina taught at a tertiary level for many years at the Australian National University (2009-2012) and since 2013 at the University of Canberra.

At the university she runs an undergraduate voice unit The Working Voice, community group singing classes and TQI accredited professional development voice workshop for teachers, Voiceworks.

She is Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standard (BOSTES) accredited and has delivered the Voiceworks workshop at Sydney University’s Conservatorium Open Academy. 

Following vocal, the eisteddfod continues with the piano section from April 28 to 30.

Former Taree local and past winner of the Roma Liggins scholarship for piano Andrew Chubb has written a composition that will be played by all competitors in a new section.

The dance section has been split this year with the novice and groups scheduled from May 1 to 7 and the district and open sections between May 13 and 21. 

The instrumental section runs from May 22 to 26 and includes a battle of the bands, a concert band night and a chance for competitors to win a digital piano.

Speech and drama is scheduled for May 29 to June 3 and school choirs are on June 6 and 7.

The two grand concerts will be presented at 2pm and 7.30pm on Saturday June 17, which will feature outstanding performances from competitors from all sections as well as performances by five former Roma Liggins scholarship winners.