Enter
Enter Entries Open March 01 to April 31, 2025
2025 Vocal Competition dates TBC: 18 to 28 July
Venue: The Mechanics Institute, Minerva Space, Sturt St, Ballarat
VCE Singers
VCE Singers (Unit 1 – 4) in either VCE Performance (Repertoire or Contemporary) or VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) have the opportunity to perform two contrasting songs from their program in a non-competitive section, with feedback based on the VCAA criteria and full masterclass with Gerald Marko.
We are also offering a new Vocalist and Accompanist Section in 2024.
Adjudication
We announce different professional adjudicators every year, always offering a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to share in their adjudication and encouragement of the performances.
Adjudication is based on specific criteria.
Our 2024 adjudicators, are Justine Anderson, Gerald Marko and Queenie van de Zandt. With guest adjudication and Art Song Masterclass by Richard Chew.
15 points – Intonation
15 points – Vocal Technique
10 points – Rhythm / Phrasing
10 points – Diction / Articulation / Dynamics
15 points – Story Telling / Authenticity
10 points – Presentation / Poise / Focus
10 points – Stylistic Markers of the genre
10 points – Musicality / Interpretation
5 points – Appropriate Song Choice
Freemasons Vocal Competition
With the support of Freemasons Foundaton Victoria, our eisteddfod platform is an important part of the encouraging and transformative journey for performers where they can receive constructive feedback, learn and refine their skills, boost their confidence, and unlock their full potential.
Join us on your path to self-discovery and artistic excellence on the stage at the Freemasons Vocal Competition.
With a range of new sections and great prize money, we encourage performers across a wide range of genres.
We currently are offer the following sections:
- Novice - sing for critique only
- Upbeat Pop/Rock
- Country
- Stage and Screen Upbeat Character or Comedy
- Stage and Screen Ballad
- Jazz/Blues/Soul/Gospel
- Contemporary Ballad
- AMEB/Exam Syllabus Beginner
- AMEB/Exam Syllabus Intermediate
- AMEB/Exam Syllabus Advanced
- Duet/Trio
- ‘Strut Your Stuff’
- Pre-1960’s Classic Stage and Screen
- Classical Vocal Solo
- Operetta and Enduring Classics
- Sacred and Oratorio
- Lieder and Art Song
- Crossover Championship with a $1000 first prize on offer!
Proudly supported by Freemasons Foundation Victoria.
Proudly supported by
Ballarat Opera Festival Opportunity – Classical vocalists 16 Years and Over, are eligible to be invited to take part in the Ballarat Opera Festival (sponsored by Victorian Opera). Spread out across the year, the festival will consist of a celebration of singing through three main events, all of which showcase Victorian Opera’s strong partnership with local performing arts groups and the people of Ballarat. After the success of The Big Sing in 2023, held at the Civic Hall, this cornerstone event of the festival will return continuing Victorian Opera’s relationship with the Ballarat Choral Society and Ballarat Symphony Orchestra. In addition, 2024 will see the inclusion of a fully staged opera along with a lecture and recital series.
Victorian Opera Season Pass – Awarded to the winner of ‘Crossover Championship’.
Tickets to Victorian Opera Sweeney Todd – Awarded to the winner of ‘Operetta and Enduring Classics’
Tickets to Victorian Opera Eucalyptus – Awarded to the winner of ‘Art Song and Lieder’
Sponsors
Supporter & Sponsors
A huge thank you to our prize money and medal supporters and sponsors.
The generosity of our supporters and sponsors enables us to offer cash prizes, medals and ribbons for competitors in every section.
Gold Crown Supporters
- Freemasons Foundation Victoria
Silver Crown Supporters
- SBN - School Broadcasting Network
Bronze Crown Supporters
- Henkell Family Fund
Champion Supporters
- Optiform
Encore Sponsors
- BLOC Music Theatre Inc
- Caine Real Estate
- Field Air
- Lorayne Branch
- The Piano Bar
Spotlight Sponsors
- Coward-Lemke Music School
- Ballarat Allied Health
- Ballarat Vocal Studio
- BCMA - Ballarat Centre of Music & the Arts
- Birmingham Farm
- Chris Gardiner
- Elsie Morison Memorial Trust
- Homeground Cafe and Bakery
- Marjorie Davies
- Nicholas McMahon
- Robyn Antoine
- Sally Bourne
- The Shine Centre
- Val Coad
- William Morrell Memorial Fund
We always welcome additional supporters and sponsors. As a charitable organisation, all donations and sponsorships are tax deductible see our Support Us page.
2024 Vocal Adjudicators
News
Discover
Did you know?
Learn more about the Vocal discipline from stories collated from our news, alumni, historical records and media platforms.
Stories
Learn more about the Vocal discipline from our collection of stories, historical records and media....
Explore
Explore our history timeline
intro
1898
1902
Peter Dawson wins the Bass Solo section in South Street’s Senior Vocal Contest and goes onto international fame, singing at Covent Garden and touring Australia with another South Street diva, Amy Castles. It was Dawson’s version of Waltzing Matilda’ that catapulted our unofficial national anthem to fame in 1938, after which versions came ‘thick and thin.’
(Watch Peter Dawson’s Waltzing Matilda)
Future Prime Minister James Scullin also makes his mark by taking out a first in the senior debating competition.
1902
Crowds line Lydiard Street to witness the return of Dame Nellie Melba from Europe, while the well-heeled were fortunate enough to purchase tickets attend her performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
1906
A Grand Opera Contest is included in the Eisteddfod for the first time, with prizes presented by Dame Nellie Melba
1914
The Right Honourable Andrew Fisher opens the competitions and Mr J Beswick is brought out from England to judge the Band Contest as increasing numbers of interstate bands travel to Ballarat to compete despite the war.
The Senior Vocal Championship is awarded to George Lemke and forges a long association between the Lemke family and South Street, while the competition goes from strength to strength.
The mammoth South Street Competitions show no sign of decay; in fact, judging by recent indications, there is no limit to the possibilities and achievements of this remarkable institution. The Society, taken as a whole, is an institution that aims at the moral and national advancement of the community, and is worthy of recognition at the hands of the citizens. (Ballarat and District Year Book, Ballarat Library, A.H. & R.J. Powell)
1947
The Courier and Radio 3BA offer £100 as prize money for a Ballad Contest, which is introduced to the Senior Vocal Section.
Donald Bradman scores his first century.
1977
A Barber Shop Quartet Section is added to the Music Hall Competition.
1980
Ellinor Morcom, accompanist, teacher and mentor to many Royal South Street singers, is awarded an OBE.
1993
Keeping pace with the times, new successful sections are added to the Competition’s program including Contemporary Choral and Modern Vocal Ensembles. A weekend Play Festival is also introduced with adjudicators Julian Oldfield and Peter Tullock.
The Mechanics Institute is used for the Brass Bands’ warm-up.
The Federal Minister for Arts, Senator Bob McMullan visits the Eisteddfod and a civic reception is held for Jason Wasley, Herald Sun Aria Winner.
1994
Richard Bayly is awarded an Order of Australia for services to music and the Most Graceful Girl Competition celebrates a 70th birthday.
Dancing sections prove more popular than ever with two thirds of competitors travelling from Melbourne and the Courier Ballad is held in the Diocesan Centre due to an overwhelming number of entries.