This year the 89th Eisteddfod will be held at the Bendigo South East College Theatre in Ellis Street.

Music coordinator David Castles said the society and the secondary college are working together to enhance the annual event on the Bendigo Arts calendar.

“We have just developed a new strategic plan with the aid of the City of Greater Bendigo and part of this was improving the quality of the performance space,” he said.

“The theatre at the Bendigo South East College meets all our needs.

“The new theatre provides excellent acoustics for all the instrumental and vocal events with the added bonus of a multitude of preparation and warm-up spaces for competitors.

“We have had great support from the school.

“Hopefully we can make the competition bigger and better than the last few years.”

Society president and dance coordinator Fay Thomas said the society was looking forward to working in partnership with Bendigo South East College in this “exciting new venture”.

“The new theatre provides a “true theatre” experience for performers and it is expected that, in the future, teachers will be able to utilize all aspects of the theatre including lighting which will enhance performances for the audience.”

The Annual Bendigo Competitions Society Eisteddfod started 89 years ago and has been running continuously all that time.

This year it opens on May 4 with the piano competition and culminates with the classical and theatrical dance competition commencing on June 2 and running through the school holidays.

Music entries are now open through the Bendigo Competitions Society website http://bendigocomps.org.au