Enter
Enter Entries Open March 01 to April 30, 2025
2025 Vocal Competition dates 18 to 20 July and 28 July to 02 August
Venue: The Mechanics Institute, Minerva Space, Sturt St, Ballarat
Details
A wide variety of genres from contemporary to classical, and a further selection of specialized sections including Novice, VCE/VET, Solo and Accompanist, Championship Challenge, Original Song and more!
Due to popular demand, we will run an Art Song and Lieder Masterclass with Dr Richard Chew again this year.
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 2025 adjudicators are Sally Bourne, Phoebe Humphreys and Dr Richard Chew. Our senior classical accompanist is Konrad Olszewski.
10 points – Intonation and Diction
10 points – Vocal Technique
10 points – Story Telling and Authenticity
10 points – Rhythm and Phrasing
10 points – Articulation and Dynamics
50 points - General (may include presentation, poise, focus, stylistic mastery, musicality, appropriate song choice etc)
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 sections, great prize money and flow-on opportunities, 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
- Contemporary Stage and Screen Combo
- Pre 1960's Stage and Screen
- Jazz/Blues/Soul/Gospel
- Contemporary Ballad
- Classical Solo
- AMEB/Exam Syllabus Beginner
- AMEB/Exam Syllabus Intermediate
- AMEB/Exam Syllabus Advanced
- VCE / VET Vocal Solo
- Vocal Solo and Accompanist *NEW*
- Duet/Trio
- ‘Strut Your Stuff’
- Operetta and Enduring Classics
- Sacred and Oratorio
- Lieder and Art Song
- Championship Challenge
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).
Victorian Opera Season Pass 2025 – Awarded to the winner of ‘Championship Challenge’.
Tickets to Victorian Opera 2025 productions – Awarded to the winner of ‘Operetta and Enduring Classics’ and 'Art Song and Lieder'
Art Song and Lieder Masterclass - The top four competitors in the senior Art Song and Lieder section will be invited to participate in the Masterclass with Dr. Richard Chew. All are invited to attend.
Music Theatre Coaching Sessions with Top Industry Professionals - The winners of the Stage and Screen Combo section will win an hour coaching session with a top industry professional.
Ballarat Carols by Candlelight - One lucky winner will be chosen to perform a solo at the 2025 Ballarat Carols by Candlelight.
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
- City of Ballarat
- Creative Victoria
- Ingenia Lifestyle
Silver Crown Supporters
- SBN - School Broadcasting Network
- Isabella Foundation
Bronze Crown Supporters
- Henkell Family Fund @ Australian Community
- Beechworth Bakery
Champion Supporters
- Andrew Lovell
- The Pancake Kitchen
- Optiform
- Victorian Opera
Encore Sponsors
- BLOC Music Theatre Inc
- Buninyong Hotel
- Caine Real Estate
- Field Air
- Lorayne Branch
- The Piano Bar
- Reus Flower Co
Spotlight Sponsors
- ANATS
- Robyn Antoine and the Enduring Classics Vocal Group
- Ballarat Carols by Candlelight
- Ballarat Vocal Studio
- BCMA - Ballarat Centre of Music & the Arts
- Darrell Lea Ballarat Chocolate Experience Store
- Marjorie Davies Trust
- Chris Gardner
- Elsie Morison Memorial Trust
- Homeground Cafe and Bakery
- Ryans IGA
- Leroy Mac Designs
- Nicholas McMahon
- Oaktree Dental
- Tim Ryan
- Anita Stapp
- The Shine Centre
- William Morrell Memorial Fund
- Sally Bourne
- Vicky Jacobs
- Melissa Langton
- Susan-Ann Walker
- Queenie van de Zandt
We always welcome additional supporters and sponsors. As a charitable organisation, all donations and sponsorships are tax deductible see our Support Us page.
2025 Vocal Adjudicators - Sally Bourne, Phoebe Humphreys, Richard Chew
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.