RESULTS are now in from this year’s piano sections of the Australian National Eisteddfod, held last week at Wesley Music Centre.

Melissa Buchholz, of Toowoomba Grammar School, and Glenn Riddle, of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, adjudicated more than 450 performances (a record number), ranging from the seven years and under age group to the open sections.

The event culminated on September 3 with the Open Piano Championship, which attracted 12 entrants from Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Wagga Wagga and Melbourne.

The first prize of $4000 was won by Oscar Wong, from the Gold Coast, with second prize of $2000 going to Bernice Chua, of Canberra, a performer in the Eisteddfod since she first entered the under seven sections.

Overall, there were 65 sections and, supported by chief sponsor Dianne Anderson, there was an increase in prizemoney in all sections.

The Piano Eisteddfod has been a Canberra tradition for many, many years, and offers a performance opportunity for all students, part of the Australian National Eisteddfod’s mission to foster the growth of confidence and self-esteem in performers of all levels and ages.

The majority of participants are children and young adults. Each year more than 4000 individuals perform in Canberra’s Eisteddfod events.

The full list of winners, place getters and special awards will be posted here next week.

The 2023 Australian National Eisteddfod season continues with Singing (September 8-10) and Speech and Drama (September 16), both at Ainslie Arts Centre.