76th Annual Townsville Eisteddfod
Choral
08 Sep 2026 to 14 Sep 2026
(To be confirmed after receipt of Entries and Programming has been finalised)
View Discipline Rule

 

VOCAL RULES & CONDITIONS CHECK FOR CHANGES

ADJUDICATOR: Jonathon Welch AM, Brisbane

  1. CHOIRS Maximum number of voices: 80 (No backing tracks)

       a. In all Choral Sections, entries are limited to one choir per school per Section.

       b. All children must be under school staff supervision at all times whilst in the theatre.

       c. Where Solo parts are specified in Choral Sections, the parts so marked are to be performed collectively by the whole of the voices in the respective section of the choir.

      d. Any Choir, Group or Ensemble entered as a School Choir, Group or Ensemble shall consist solely of bona-fide current students of the school named.

      e. No member of one Choir or Group will be permitted to perform with another Choir, Group or Ensemble in the same Section.

      f. Choir risers provided: 5 sets of 4 levels (plus floor).

2. Sections 5 & 6 Unison & Modern Chorus: Choir risers are set. Piano or single instrument accompaniment only.

3. Sections 7 & 8 Novelty Chorus: Choir risers are optional (as set for other Choral works) and may be removed. Competitors may enter & exit from backstage or the auditorium. Instructions must be given to the Marshall prior to the start of the Section. Piano or single instrument accompaniment (plus optional non-amplified instruments, if designated in score, played by bona-fide members of the choir.) STAGE DIMENSIONS: 14.7m x 11.8m.

4. Sections 9 & 10 Folk Singing: Must be from the Traditional repertoire. Piano or single instrument accompaniment (plus optional non-amplified instruments, if designated in score, played by bona-fide members of the choir.)

5. Section 41 Vocal Ensemble: Piano or single instrument accompaniment only.

Enter & exit stage from Auditorium except Novelty Chorus & Vocal Ensemble who may enter from backstage.

6. Only groups who are competing in the relevant section may be seated in the auditorium.

7. CHORAL CHAMPIONSHIP SECTIONS

1 set of Trophies will be awarded for each Championship on combined marks.

Scores must be clearly marked on front with C (Chief) & (A) Australian or (U) Unison & numbered 1 or 2 to show performance order. All songs must be performed.

Australian: (Not a folk song arranged by an Australian musician) Unison or Partwork. Piano or single instrument accompaniment plus non-amplified instruments, if designated in score, played by bona-fide members of the choir.

Chief: Appropriate championship standard. Senior & Middle Chief: at least two parts. Primary & Junior Primary Chief: Unison or Partwork. Piano accompaniment only.

8. OWN CHOICE. All Vocal Sections are Own Choice.

9. CLASSICAL REPERTOIRE

A serious composition with artistic merit excluding jazz or popular idiom. Music from any century is acceptable. May be sung in the original language or English.

10. ACCOMPANIMENT

  1. Piano only for Classical Vocal Solos & Classical Duets & Choral Chief Chorus. Backing track (no vocals) optional for all other sections except Self-Accompanied Vocal Solo & all Choral sections.
  2. A single instrument, other than piano, may accompany Unison Chorus, Modern Chorus, Novelty Chorus, Folk Singing, Vocal Ensemble, Solo from Musical & Music Theatre Duet; Novelty Vocal Solo & Duet; Vocal Trio; Modern Pop & Modern Pop Duo,
  3. Competitors are responsible for obtaining their own accompanists.One piano is available.
  4. A looper pedal (own amp) may be used with a guitar in Self-Accompanied Vocal Solo.

   11. PIANO PLACEMENT

        Centre Stage: All except:

        Side Stage 2nd Wing OP: Novelty Chorus, Novelty Solo & Duet, Solo from Musical & Musical Theatre Duet

        Beside risers: All Choral except Novelty Chorus.

    12. CURTAIN

        Optional for Musical Theatre Solo & Duet and Novelty Chorus only. Please notify the Marshall prior to the start of     the Section.

     13. COSTUMES & HAND HELD PROPS

        Optional for Novelty Chorus, Musical Theatre Solo & Duet, Novelty Solo & Duet, Film or TV only.

      14. MICROPHONE

      Optional for Modern Pop Solo & Duet; Film or TV Solo & Self-Accompanied Vocal Solo only.

        

VOCAL AWARDS

VOCAL BURSARY Any Townsville competitor, age 15 to 18 who, in the opinion of the Adjudicator, shows the most potential. Must have competed in the Vocal Championship.

AWARDS:

  • Most outstanding Vocal Item.
  • Most outstanding Choir
  • Most outstanding Musical Theatre Item.
  • Most outstanding Classical Vocalist.
  • Most promising Vocalist Age 12 to 18.
  • Encouragement for Vocalist Age 11 & under.
  • Most promising Male Vocalist.
  • Young Accompanist Encouragement Age 25 & u
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 15/06/2026 11:59:00 PM +10:00 (AEST)
Age 18 & Under
001 Senior Choral Championship: Chief & Australian Choir     Age 18 & Under

Time Limit: 10:00

Max 80 voices. Own Choice; Chief: at least 2 part, Piano or unaccompanied; Australian: Piano, single instrument or unaccompanied (optional non-amplified instruments as per score played by choir members).Both songs must be sung. 10 mins. total.

Donated by Townsville Grammar School
Entry: $22.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          
Year 9 & Under
002 Middle School Choral Championship: Chief & Australian Choir     Year 9 & Under

Time Limit: 10:00

Max 80 voices. Own Choice; Chief: at least 2 part, Piano or unaccompanied; Australian: Piano, single instrument or unaccompanied (optional non-amplified instruments as per score played by choir members).Both songs must be sung. 10 mins. total.

Donated by Cathedral School of St Anne & St James
Entry: $22.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          
Year 6 & Under
003 Primary Choral Championship: Chief & Australian Choir     Year 6 & Under

Time Limit: 10:00

Max 80 voices; Own Choice; Chief: Piano only or unaccompanied; Australian: Piano, single instrument, optional unamplified instruments as per score played by choir members or unaccompanied; Both songs must be sung. 10 minutes total time limit

The Joan Kippin Trophy
Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          
Year 4 & Under
004 Junior Primary Choral Championship: Chief & Unison Choir     Year 4 & Under

Time Limit: 10:00

Max 80 voices; Own Choice; Chief: Piano only or unaccompanied; Unison: Piano, single instrument or unaccompanied; Both songs must be sung. 10 minutes total time limit

The Maureen Wilson Trophy donated by the Wilson Family
Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          
Year 6 & Under
005 Unison Chorus Choir     Year 6 & Under

Time Limit: 04:00

Max 80 voices.Own Choice; Piano, single instrument or unaccompanied.
Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Age 18 & Under
006 Modern Chorus - Partwork Choir     Age 18 & Under

Time Limit: 04:00

Max 80 voices.Own Choice; Piano single instrument or unaccompanied.

Donated by City Oasis Inn
Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Year 6 & Under
007 Novelty Chorus Choir     Year 6 & Under

Time Limit: 06:00

Max 80 voices. Choir Risers, curtain, costumes & hand held props optional; Piano or single instrument accompaniment. Non-amplified instruments as per score, played by choir members, optional.

Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Age 18 & Under
008 Novelty Chorus Choir     Age 18 & Under

Time Limit: 06:00

Max 80 voices. Choir Risers, costumes, curtain & hand held props optional; Piano or single instrument accompaniment Non-amplified instruments as per score, played by choir members, optional.

Donated by Libretto Studios
Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Year 6 & Under
009 Folk Singing Chorus - Unison or Parts Choir     Year 6 & Under

Time Limit: 04:00

Max 80 voices.Traditional repertoire; Piano, single instrument or unaccompanied, Non-amplified instruments, played by choir members, as per score optional.
Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Age 18 & Under
010 Folk Singing Chorus - Partwork Choir     Age 18 & Under

Time Limit: 04:00

Max 80 voices.Traditional repertoire; Piano, single instrument or unaccompanied, Non-amplified instruments, played by choir members, as per score optional.

Donated by Dr Stephanie Hodson CSC PSM
Entry: $18.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC