"It's fantastic for you as a musician", said the 18-year-old, who this year received the prestigious Roma Liggins Perpetual Scholarship for instrumental and piano.

"You learn how to perform, develop your stage craft, to deal with nerves and performance anxiety but mostly it's loads of fun even when you are nervous.

"The students who do compete seem to develop better overall in all aspects of their musical performance."

On top of musical development, Mitchell said it's also an opportunity to perform exam repertoire for a professional adjudicator.

"I have met some great musicians and educators over the years and I have learnt so much.

"It doesn't matter if you come home with a trophy or get a first place. Your adjudicator report is the most valuable thing you come away with. You read it and work on the aspects of your performance that need improving."

Mitchell has performed as a soloist, in duets and trios, in rock bands and concert bands over the years.

"You get to see what other people are achieving in their musical study and those people become friends who share you love of music.

"It's been fantastic to grow up in my group and watch each other develop over the years. We support each other which helps with all those stage nerves. I will always value the time I have spent there."

Mitchell was awarded the coveted scholarship at the eisteddfod's grand concert and said he was "really honoured" to receive the $1500 cash award but, more importantly, to have his name go on the honour board at the Manning Entertainment Centre.

"Andrew Chubb is on that trophy from 1991. He was our adjudicator this year in instrumental and he has made a wonderful career as a performer and composer. It's an honour to be on the same list."

He said the Roma Liggins award was his last goal for the eisteddfod.

"I have managed to receive many other awards over the years including four Smile Scholarships. This was the last one.

"It will probably be my last opportunity to perform in a grand concert so it was a great way to end my time at the eisteddfod. I was really honoured to receive it.

Mitchell has been competing in the eisteddfod for the past 11 years.

"More if you include an early childhood section I was in when I was four. I can't remember what I sang - a song about a tiger I think?"

He has appeared in 10 grand concerts, and been awarded four Intermediate Championships, three Senior Championships, four Smile Scholarships, three Canteen Scholarships, three Denva Bird Most Promising Awards and four Roma Liggins nominations.

In announcing Mitchell as the Roma LIggins recipient, the audience heard he comes from a very musical family and has been performing since he was a young child. He is adept at playing several musical instruments with one year appearing in 31 sections across piano and instrumental.

Mitchell aims to study music further after he complete his HSC.

"I am aiming at Sydney Conservatorium but am also open to going overseas. For the short term I have my AMUSA piano examination toward the end of this year and my 8th Grade Clarinet exam in a month's time.

"I am putting a Jazz quartet together with vocalist Lisette De Gray, bassist John Race and my dad Trevor on drums and I am playing with my parents in their band Circus Mule and will tour with Hunter Wind Ensemble in China next year.

"I am starting to teach and I am doing lots of composition and arranging."

President of the Taree and Eisteddfod Society Tim Stack said the people performing in the grand concert were a fine example of the thousands who have entered and performed this year.

He thanked all the entrants, sponsors, volunteers and teachers who encourage students - without whom the eisteddfod wouldn't be what it is today.

"This stage is a great leveller. It takes everyone as they are, and with constructive advice, and your acclamation, all entrants become heroes as they are encouraged, perform, learn from others, build their confidence and become stronger as they control those nerves," said Tim.

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