Section requirements, prizes and general information

All Piano entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

Note: Entrants must be at or below their entered age group as of 21 June 2026.

Entrants may perform more than 1 piece providing they remain within the section time limit.

Where a section has Finals, participants must be available for the Finals, if they are selected.

Participants may play the same piece at the Final that was played at the heats or select a new work.

Piano Finals: Sunday 14 June 2026
Time limits are the same as the Heats.

The official accompanist is available to book for Section 1.7 Open Piano Concerto Award via Stardom registration. See Accompaniment Section in General Rules and Information for further detail. You may BYO accompanist instead.

All Classical Voice entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

Classical voice requires live accompaniment; pre-recorded accompaniment is not permitted. To book the official accompanist, please ensure you include this in your Stardom registration, as late bookings will not be available. See Accompaniment section for further detail. You may BYO accompanist instead.

All Strings entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

Note: Entrants must be at or below their entered age group as of 21 June 2026.

For this section, the option is available to book an official accompanist. To book the official accompanist, please ensure you include this in your Stardom registration, as late bookings will not be available. See Accompaniment section for further detail. You may BYO accompanist instead.

Participants must be available for the Final, if they are selected. Participants may perform the same material at the Final that was played at the heats or select new material.

Strings Finals: Sunday 21 June 2026

All Woodwind entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

For this section, the option is available to book an official accompanist. To book the official accompanist, please ensure you include this in your Stardom registration, as late bookings will not be available. See Accompaniment section for further detail. You may BYO accompanist instead.

Note: Entrants must be at or below their entered age group as of 21 June 2026.

All Brass entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

For this section, the option is available to book an official accompanist. To book the official accompanist, please ensure you include this in your Stardom registration, as late bookings will not be available. See Accompaniment section for further detail. You may BYO accompanist instead.

Note: Entrants must be at or below their entered age group as of 21 June 2026.

All Chamber Ensembles entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

All Mixed Ensembles entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

All Choral entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

This section allows backing tracks and use of a microphone (provided).

Bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

Bring a USB with your backing track file. File must be your section number and name. e.g. 9.2 Jethro Smith. USB returned at the end of the section.

All Speech & Drama entrants must bring a printed copy of the script for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

All Guzheng entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

Note: Entrants must be at or below their entered age group as of 21 June 2026.

All Musical Theatre entrants must bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the adjudicator, unstapled. This won’t be returned.

Solo entrants must also bring a printed copy of the sheet music for the accompanist, in a display folder. Folders returned at the end of the section.

For the Solo categories of this section, the option is available to book an official accompanist. To book the official accompanist, please ensure you include this in your Stardom registration, as late bookings will not be available. See Accompaniment section for more detail. You may BYO accompanist instead.

Eisteddfod entry and section requirements

The Boroondara Eisteddfod is open to all entrants, provided the specific conditions of each individual event are met:

• as outlined in the section requirements linked to below, and
• by following the general rules on this page. 

Failure to comply with these may lead to disqualification and the withdrawal of prizes and awards.

In disputes, our decision is final. To ensure equity and fairness for all entrants, we don't permit any variation to the General Rules.

Registration dates

All Eisteddfod registrations are open for entry until 11:59 pm Thursday 2 April 2026.

There will be no extensions or late entries allowed for registrations.

Section requirements

Participants can register for multiple sections, except for those registering in a section titled ‘Non-Competitive’ who cannot register for a competitive section within the same category.

Registration platform

Performers can register for the Boroondara Eisteddfod via Stardom. Through Stardom participants can select their sections and also book the official accompanist should they wish to do so.

Click here to register via Stardom

Online entry and payment

1. Entries close on Thursday 2 April 2026.

2. Entrants in sections must register on the Stardom website. 

3. No late entries will be permitted, including official accompanist bookings.

4. Full payment must be made online at time of registration. Purchase orders are no longer accepted.

5. All registration fees include door admission for all performers within their section, as well as for their accompanists and conductors.

6. Entry fees are non-refundable, except where an event is cancelled or is significantly altered. Entry fees cannot be transferred to another event.

7. Each section will have a limited amount of available registrations as per the scheduled length of each session. The City of Boroondara reserves the right to cap registrations once this limit is reached, even while the registration period is open.

8. In choosing to enter the Boroondara Eisteddfod, Entrants are making a commitment to be available for the full duration of the entered section, commencing at the time indicated.

9. An Entrant is not eligible to enter the Piano Concerto Competition if they have previously won the section.

10. An Entrant may not perform more than once within the same solo section.

11. An Entrant registering within a section marked ‘non-competitive’ may not enter a competitive section within the same category.

12. No more than 40 per cent of any small ensemble (3 to 14 performers) or 30 per cent of any large ensemble (15 or more performers) may perform more than once in the same section. For the junior ensemble, senior ensemble and choral sections, a list of entrants’ names and details of age / year levels must be provided upon specific request by the City of Boroondara.

Age limits

For aged sections, a participant’s age is determined as at the final day of the Eisteddfod Finals – 21 June 2026.

13. Age is determined as of 21 June of the current Boroondara Eisteddfod Finals (2026).

14. Entrants may not register for a section where the specified age limit is below their age on 21 June 2026

15. If the Entrant has a birthday during the Eisteddfod, they must adhere to the aged sections according to the age they will be on 21 June 2026.

16. Date of birth must be specified at time of entry, and a copy or extract of the Entrant’s Birth Certificate (or proof of age) must be provided if requested. An individual being in contempt of age requirements will result in disqualification and potential barring from participation the following year. 

17. An individual within an ensemble being in contempt of age requirements will result in disqualification and potential barring of the entire ensemble from participation in the following year.

18. Age limits do not apply to conductors and accompanists.

19. Events titled as ‘Open’ can be entered by persons of any age.

Session dates and times

20. The City of Boroondara reserves the right to amend, cancel or combine any event.

21. The City of Boroondara takes no responsibility for incorrect arrival times due to missed emails and/or emails that landed in junk/spam folders.

22. Individual requests for time swaps and changes may not be accommodated in 2026. 

Session registration

23. Session registration is open 45 minutes before the advertised session time and closes 5 minutes before the advertised session time. It is the Entrant’s responsibility to allow adequate time to register for their event. 

24. Entrants who fail to register within this registration period may be disqualified. They may be provided with an Adjudication Report but they may not be eligible for an award. 

25. Entrants are required to submit a copy of their sheet music, unstapled, upon registration for the adjudicator’s reference. This will not be returned. 

26. Entrants are required to submit, as appropriate, a full-score copy of their music for use by the adjudicator at registration for the Piano Concerto competition. See copyright obligations below. 

Performance and time limits 

27. No rehearsal or practice is permitted on the stage area before a live section. Any violation of this rule will result in automatic disqualification. Tuning is allowed. 

28. Performance time begins when the first note/word occurs, and doesn’t restart if the performer restarts.. 

29. Piano Concerto finalists must play nominated selections from any concerto by the following composers (unless otherwise noted):

• Beethoven
• Brahms (only Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor, Op.15)
• Chopin
• Grieg
• Liszt
• Mendelssohn
• Mozart
• Prokofiev (only Piano Concertos Nos.1, 2 and 3)
• Rachmaninov
• Saint-Saëns
• Schumann
• Tchaikovsky

30. All published time limits must be strictly observed. Selections should be chosen to finish within the time limit prescribed. When required to perform two works, the time between the works will count towards the time limit. 

31. In the case of a performer exceeding the time limit the performance will be adjudicated up to the point of the time limit being reached, and there may be a bell sounded to indicate the performer must stop.

32. A performer may not perform a piece more than once within the same year across multiple sections. 

Withdrawals

33. Entrants wishing to withdraw from or cancel a section are requested to notify the Boroondara Eisteddfod Team at [email protected] prior to the date of the section. No refunds will be made, except where the City of Boroondara cancels or significantly varies an event.

Adjudication 

34. The adjudicator’s decision in accordance with the rules pertaining to the relevant section is final. Any decisions regarding ineligibility or disqualification rest with the City of Boroondara.

35. A substitute adjudicator may be appointed for a listed adjudicator without notice, and categories may be subdivided between adjudicators.

36. Any solo entrant who is related to or has been taught or coached privately by an appointed adjudicator during the 6 months preceding the event date is unable to participate in that section. A member of an ensemble may be related to or have been taught or coached privately by an appointed adjudicator providing they don’t have a significant featured role within the performance, such as a solo. 

37. Communication with the adjudicator by a competitor, or by anyone other person associated with a competitor, before or during the Eisteddfod session is strictly forbidden and may result in disqualification. Feedback following adjudication is to be communicated to the Eisteddfod Team, and not directly to the adjudicator.

38. If the minimum number of performers for a section is deemed to be insufficient for a viable competition, that section may be cancelled and registration fees will be refunded.

Adjudicator reports and prizes

39. Adjudicators will provide entrants with feedback via a written report which will be available for collection at the conclusion of the section from the registration desk.

40. If a satisfactory standard of performance is not achieved, the decision to award prizes will be at the discretion of the adjudicator.

41. Prizes cannot be divided and no additional prizes other than those already advertised can be awarded. Tied positions are not permissible. Should the City of Boroondara or the adjudicator decide not to award a prize, the decision shall be final and binding.

42. All ribbon prizes will be distributed to the winners on the day, and all cash prizes will be distributed to the winners as an eGift payment card at the conclusion of the Boroondara Eisteddfod. More information about prizes and awards can be found here: 

Accompanists

43. The accompaniment in vocal and instrumental events must be on an acoustic piano, with the exception of Contemporary Vocal sections which may be provided on a USB.

44. Recorded accompaniment or backing tracks are not permitted in any section within the Boroondara Eisteddfod, except for Contemporary Vocal Solos and Musical Theatre.

Official accompanists

45. An official accompanist is available for all solo instrumental and solo vocal sections, except the Contemporary Vocal sections. Entrants who book an official accompanist will receive details of their assigned accompanist after registration closes.

46. All entrants using the official accompanist will be charged a fee of $10 per section. This fee does not cover rehearsals. The official accompanist fee must be paid at the time of registration, and additional fees/rehearsals are to be negotiated directly with assigned accompanist.

47. It is the responsibility of the entrant to make contact with the official accompanist to advise of repertoire, as well as request a rehearsal if desired, no later than 14 days prior to the scheduled performance. Accompanists have the right to refuse engagement if adequate notice of repertoire has not been provided. Rehearsals are strongly encouraged. Rehearsal fees and times are a private matter between the entrant and accompanist.

48. Official accompanists are not obliged to play poorly presented, difficult or illegible music at sight. This decision rests with the official accompanist. 

Private accompanists

49. Entrants may work with their own accompanist by private arrangement. Entrants working with their own accompanist must ensure that their accompanist is available to perform with them when called on the day of the entered section. Alterations to an Entrant’s appearance number cannot be made in response to their accompanist’s availability. Private accompanists do not need to purchase an admission ticket.

School groups

50. At no time may a teacher appear on stage with a competitor except as a conductor and/or piano accompanist. Teachers may not act as a page turner for their students.

51. Aside from conducting and piano accompaniment, no conductor or accompanist who falls outside the specified age limits is allowed to play an instrument or sing with their ensemble.

52. Accompanists are only permitted in choral sections, not instrumental ensembles. Only one conductor is allowed per instrumental ensemble, and one conductor plus one accompanist per choral ensemble.

53. Teachers and supervisors accompanying school groups will be admitted to the audience of their school’s entire section free of charge.

Copyright obligations

54. The Boroondara Eisteddfod holds licences from the Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (APRA) / Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners’ Society (AMCOS), Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd (PPCA).

55. Following advice from AMCOS, the City of Boroondara has determined that performers using sheet music or published text subject to copyright in their performance must use originals or authorised photocopies. It is illegal to make a photocopy of a piece of music that is in copyright without obtaining prior permission from the copyright owner. 

56. A photocopy of the original is acceptable for adjudication and official accompanists. This copy will be marked ‘Not for Return’ and subsequently destroyed by City of Boroondara.

57. A photocopy of the original is acceptable for private accompanists. This copy must be destroyed by the competitor after the event.

58. Entrants are reminded that the primary responsibility for adherence to Copyright Law rests with the person(s) doing/authorising the copying. The City of Boroondara in no way encourages the unlawful copying of copyright works.

59. More information regarding Entrant obligations under the Copyright Act (1968) can be found at www.apra.com.au or by calling 02 9935 7900. By entering the Boroondara Eisteddfod, entrants, their guardians or teachers acknowledge their obligations under the Copyright Act (1968) and their commitment to adhering to the rules outlined in the Copyright Act (1968).

Licence consent

60. All entrants (or guardians) in the Boroondara Eisteddfod grant to the City of Boroondara a non-exclusive, personal, perpetual, royalty free licence in Australia in regard to performances at the Boroondara Eisteddfod, to:

• make recordings of all performances;
• edit, adapt and make copies of such performances in any media;
• broadcast, or otherwise publicly perform such recordings; and
• film the entrants’ likeness, image and voice.

61. These recordings are solely for archival or promotional and marketing purposes of the Boroondara Eisteddfod and City of Boroondara. No such recording or image may be on-sold for profit.
If a participant does not wish to be filmed or photographed by the City of Boroondara, they can notify staff and any appropriate photographs or footage will be discarded

Public recording, photography and filming

62. Flash photography will not be permitted during any Boroondara Eisteddfod performance.

63. Public audio or video recording of any Boroondara Eisteddfod event will not be permitted, including on smartphones or similar devices. City of Boroondara will not be held responsible for breaches of copyright by members of the public

Privacy

64. By participating in the Boroondara Eisteddfod, the entrant consents to any personal information collected being used by the City of Boroondara for the purposes, or directly related purposes, of conducting the Eisteddfod.

65. The information may also be used to update Council’s customer databases to assist the City of Boroondara in discharging its functions or providing services. Participant names and section/s entered may also be used and disclosed in documents and webpages relating to the Eisteddfod, such as the Notice of Appearance and list of winners, as well as any printed collateral. Names and section/s entered may also be used for promotional purposes within media contexts.

66. The personal information collected will not otherwise be disclosed unless permitted or required by law. If the information is not collected, your entry to the Competition may be invalid. Requests for access to and/or amendment of personal information should be made to the City of Boroondara Arts Community Events Officer at [email protected]

Complaints

67. Any comments or complaints with regard to the Boroondara Eisteddfod should be made in writing to the Boroondara Eisteddfod Team at [email protected] within 14 days of the event.

Social distancing requirements

68. You must adhere to all current restrictions regarding social distancing. For further information visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

The prize structure for 2026 brings with it an exciting new structure to elevate performer experience on the day with the introduction of Boroondara Eisteddfod place ribbons.

• Prizes for aged individual sections: place ribbon and certificate
• Prizes for Open individual sections: cash prize and certificate
• Prizes for school-aged groups: a place ribbon for each member of the group and one certificate
• Prizes for Open groups: cash prize and certificate