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Enter Entries Open March 01 to April 30, 2026
2026 Celebrating Chopin Competition
Date: Sunday 21 June
Venue: Ballarat Mechanics Institute
Adjudicators: Coady Green and TBC
Competitors perform on a brand new Schimmel K195 Konzert Grand
Junior Chopin for 16 Years and Under
Own choice of one or more complete works or movement of Chopin. Time Limit 10 mins
Margaret Schofield Memorial Prize for a Performance of the Music of Chopin for 17 - 32 Years
Competitors must present at least two significant works of Chopin. The program may include an Etude, a Ballade, Sonata Movement, Scherzo, the Barcarolle or a similar large work. Time Limit 15 - 20 mins.
2025 Margaret Schofield Winner - Keng Chon Kwan
2025 Junior Chopin Winner - Angelina Wang
2025 Celebrating Chopin Winners
Celebrating Chopin
In 2006, Mr. Andrew Cochrane initiated the inaugural Celebrating Chopin program in honour of his late mother, one of Australia’s leading pianist and teacher Margaret Schofield OAM.
Royal South Street Society’s Celebrating Chopin is open to any pianist age under 33 years who has been an Australian resident for two years prior to the competition. Competitors must present at least two significant works of Chopin in the 16-33 years age group or a choice one or more complete work or movement of Chopin in the Junior Chopin Section. The Program may include an Etude, a Ballade, Sonata movement, Scherzo, the Barcarolle, or a similar large work.
Since 2015 Celebrating Chopin competitors have played a Schimmel Konzert Series Grand Piano providing the ultimate experience in concert dynamic performance. Schimmel is Germany’s largest and most awarded Piano Manufacturer.
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In 2006, Mr. Andrew Cochrane initiated the inaugural Celebrating Chopin program in honour of his late mother, one of Australia’s leading pianist and teacher Margaret Schofield OAM.
1943
2024 – MOU with Ballaarat Mechanics Institute
In December 2024, Lindsay Eaton (Board Chair for RSSS) and Paula Nicholson (Board Chair for BMI) signed an MOU joining the two organisations in a creative partnership.
The purpose of the MOU was written as; ‘a collaboration based on a shared goal, that of nurturing and encouraging the talents of aspiring artists in performance arts, whilst acknowledging the benefits of such partnerships within the common goal of community coherence.’
2025 – Office Move
In April 2025, the Royal South Street Society relocated its offices from Lydiard Street, next to Her Majesty’s Theatre, to a new home at 125 Albert Street.
The new premises, located behind Mortgage Choice, were transformed into functional office space and were previously home to the Anita Coutts Dance School dance studio.
The move allowed us to consolidate our Lyric Storage Room and Archives into a single, central location, creating a more efficient workspace. An added bonus was that the new office is entirely on one level, with no stairs, making the bump-in and bump-out process for events significantly easier for staff and volunteers.
2025 – Schimmel K195 Grand Piano
At the launch of the 2025 Season, RSSS unveiled an ambitious goal: to secure a world-class grand piano worthy of the extraordinary talent that graces its stages each year.
What began as a dream quickly became a community movement.
RSSS launched the inspiring Key to Music fundraising campaign — inviting the community to become part of the legacy by sponsoring one of the piano’s 88 keys.
Through the generosity of benefactor Andrew Cochrane — honouring the legacy of his late mother, pianist and teacher Margaret Schofield OAM — and in partnership with Bernie’s Music Land and Schimmel Pianos, the Society announced it would acquire a Schimmel Konzert Grand K195.
In a thrilling surprise at the Season Launch, it was revealed that the chosen instrument would be upgraded to the K195 Konzert Grand — placing Ballarat among the custodians of one of the finest competition grand pianos in Australia.
2025 – Showcase returns
After more than a decade, the Royal South Street Society Showcase made a welcome return in 2025, celebrating the extraordinary talent, dedication and diversity of performers who take part in Australia’s longest-running performing arts eisteddfod.
The Showcase had not been held since 2014. A combination of factors contributed to its absence over the intervening years, including staff turnover, funding challenges, the closure of Her Majesty’s Theatre, and the significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the Royal South Street Society enjoying renewed momentum and the performing arts community once again thriving, 2025 provided the perfect opportunity to revive this much-loved tradition.
The successful return of the Showcase was warmly embraced by performers, teachers, families and audiences alike, reaffirming its place as a treasured event on the South Street calendar. As the Society looks to the future, the 2025 Showcase stands as a reminder of the enduring strength of the performing arts and the vibrant community that supports them.
We thank all performers, teachers, accompanists, volunteers and supporters who helped make the return of the Royal South Street Society Showcase such a memorable occasion. We look forward to seeing this cherished tradition continue for many years to come.
2025 – The Royal Treasure Trail
The Royal Treasure Trail was established in 2025, with the help of Tourism Midwest Victoria, to encourage our participants and families to stay and explore the treasures of Ballarat while in town for the Eisteddfod. Just over 30 local businesses signed up to take part!