2026 City of Warrnambool Eisteddfod
Vocal Championship/Aria
30 May 2026 to 31 May 2026
(To be confirmed after receipt of Entries and Programming has been finalised)
View Discipline Rule


WELCOME TO THE CITY OF WARRNAMBOOL EISTEDDFOD 2026

To be read in conjunction with the CITY OF WARRNAMBOOL EISTEDDFOD REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS/RULES AND REGULATIONS (see www.warrnambooleisteddfod.org.au) 

 

SENIOR VOCAL/CITY OF WARRNAMBOOL ARIA

 Adjudicator: Ms Liane Keegan    

Accompanist: Ms Phillipa Safey                                                                                             

  • Phillipa is available for rehearsals in Melbourne before the competition – please contact her directly at 0410 882 204 or phillipasafey@gmail.com
  • All music must be emailed as a PDF to the accompanist by 14 May 2026 (or earlier). Manuscript copy will not be accepted.
  • Competitors must supply two hard copies of their music for each work upon registration - one for the adjudicator, one for the accompanist.
  • Arias and Oratorio pieces must be in the key it is written in for the respective Opera and Oratorio. In the other sections the singer may choose a comfortable key.
  • Session times: Session 1 (Lieder) – Saturday at 11 am; Session 2 (Oratorio and Art Song) – Saturday at 2:30 pm; Session 3 (Aria Heats) – Saturday at 6:30 pm; Aria Final – Sunday at 2:30 pm.
  • To be eligible for Session 3, entrants must have competed and paid for both Session 1 and Session 2. 
  • To be eligible for the Aria Final, entrants must have competed and paid for Session 1, Session 2 and Session 3.
  • During the Aria Heats (Session 3) competitors will be required to sing an operatic aria of their choice preceded by recitative (if any), from the standard repertoire of grand opera.  
  • Up to six competitors will be selected to be finalists in the Aria.
  • All finalists must be available to sing in the Aria Final at Christ Church, Henna Street, Warrnambool, on Sunday 31st May 2026. Finalists must be available for an interview with the adjudicator at least one hour before the commencement of the final section. A competitor not available will be disqualified.
  • For the Aria Final, competitors must have prepared at least three operatic arias. Each finalist will sing two arias in the Final. One being the aria presented in Session 3 (Saturday evening), and another to be chosen by the adjudicator from a list of two other arias submitted by the competitor. 
  • In the Aria Final competitors are required to introduce their arias and briefly describe their character.
  • A previous winner of the City of Warrnambool Aria may not enter again for a period of three years after having received the award.

 

     CHRIS HAYES MEMORIAL AWARD

This will be awarded to a first-time participant as encouragement to attend the following year’s Aria. The 2026 winner of this award will be determined by the adjudicator and will cover their fees and expenses of the Aria competition in 2027, up to a total of $600. They will also receive a trophy and framed certificate.

This award is in memory of our former long-time Aria Convenor, Chris Hayes, who passed away suddenly in 2023 and was a staunch supporter of the City of Warrnambool Eisteddfod. She was a wonderful, caring friend to many.

 

    THE CONVENOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT LATE ENTRIES

                                                                               
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 15/05/2026 11:59:00 PM (AEST)
001 Lieder Solo     Open

Session: 30/05/2026 11:00 AM    Time Limit: 06:00

Own choice of Lieder by any of the following composers: Beethoven, Brahms, Franz Liszt, Carl Loewe, Mahler, Felix Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann, Richard Strauss, Wolf. To be sung in German. Competitors must sing in both Section 001 and 002 to be eligible for the heats of the Aria.

Registration from 10:30am
Entry: $20.001st Prize Money & Certificate ($150)          2nd Prize Money & Certificate ($100)          3rd Prize Money & Certificate ($50)          
002 Championship Solo     Open

Session: 30/05/2026 2:30 PM    Time Limit: 12:00

Competitors must sing two songs. A. Oratorio. Own choice. To be sung in original key. B. Art song. Competitors must sing in both Section 001 and 002 to be eligible for the heats of the Aria. Time limit: 6 minutes for each song.

Registration from 02:00pm
Entry: $20.001st Prize Money & Certificate ($300)          2nd Prize Money & Certificate ($100)          3rd Prize Money & Certificate ($50)          
003 Aria Heats Solo     Open

Session: 30/05/2026 6:30 AM    Time Limit: 06:00

Registration - 6:00pm. Starting time - 6:30pm (Saturday 31st) Section heat for Aria - All Competitors MUST pay for this section to enter the Aria. Competitors are required to sing an operatic aria preceded by recitative(if any) of their choice, in the original key, from the standard repertoire of grand opera. Competitors are required to introduce their arias and briefly describe their character. Six competitors will be selected to be finalists in the City of Warrnambool Aria on the Sunday (31st May). A first time participant will be awarded the Chris Hayes Memorial Award presented on this evening session after the finalists are announced.

Registration from 06:00pm
Entry: $32.00PA Performance Crit Only          PA Chris Hayes Memorial Award ($600)          
004 City of Warrnambool Aria Solo     Open

Session: 31/05/2026 2:30 PM    Time Limit: 10:00

Registration: 1:00 pm Aria Final: 2:30 pm Start (Sunday 31st) Six competitors will be selected to be finalists in the City of Warrnambool Aria. Competitors will sing two Arias, one which will be chosen by the adjudicator from those they have prepared. Competitors are required to introduce their Arias and briefly describe their character. Finalists must be available for an interview with the Adjudicator at least one hour before the Final. A previous winner of the City of Warrnambool Aria may not enter again for a period of 3 years after receiving the award.

Registration from 01:30pm
Entry: $0.001st Prize Money & Certificate ($5000)          2nd Encouragement Award & Certificate ($2500)          3rd Prize Money & Certificate ($200)          4th Prize Money & Certificate ($200)          5th Prize Money & Certificate ($200)          6th Prize Money & Certificate ($200)