Organisers of the Bendigo Eisteddfod hope to see entries return to their normal level for next year's competition after seeing a decrease for the 2021 competition.
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Bendigo Competitions Society music co-ordinator David Hague said this year's eisteddfod - the 95th Bendigo Eisteddfod overall - had been dramatically reduced due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
Among them were the two weeks of dance sections being reduced to five days and the five-day vocalist competition reduced to one day.
The vocal competition will be held this weekend and mark the closure of this year's eisteddfod.
"Contemporary vocals are very popular but this year entries have been down a lot," he said. "In previous years we have had five days. We did restrict it to one day this year to get it done without overburdening anyone.
"The whole eisteddfod this year has been pulled back a bit. We had a brass band competition - a very small one - a couple of weekends ago. Initially there were 12 bands entered then lockdowns in Melbourne."
Mr Hague said the society's committee was confident of seeing performers return next year.
"I think we'll drag it back a bit next year but the problem is a lot of kids have gone 12 months with only a few dance or music lessons and I'm afraid we (might) lost quite a number of those (for good)."
This weekend's contemporary vocal competition sees 150 entrants set to sing at the Bendigo Bank Theatre in The Capital.
"We have held more events in The Capital this year," Mr Hague said. "That's due to the City of Greater Bendigo giving us some funding to hold events there and bring the eisteddfod to the centre of town. We appreciate that contribution."
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The Bendigo Eisteddfod's dance sections finish on Wednesday. Mr Hague said competitors had been happy to be able to return to the stage.
"Everybody has been very cooperative of all the restrictions we had to put in place and the amount of cleaning we are having to do between sessions," he said "Everybody is saying it is terrific to be able to do it.
"We've had such a restricted event but we'll be back with it again next year hopefully. The main thing is to give young people the opportunity to get on stage, that's what all about."
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Chris Pedler
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
