Welcome to the St George Instrumental Eisteddfod

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St George Instrumental Eisteddfod 2024

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Welcome

Welcome to the 2024 St George Instrumental Eisteddfod.

 

We are pleased to announce the 2024 syllabus for piano and strings. Online entries will open on 1 March 2024 and close on 1 May 2024. 

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Our Patron - Grant Foster

Congratulations to all of the competitors who have entered the St George Instrumental Eisteddfod. Like examinations, Eisteddfods play an important part in a musician’s development. Examinations provide an assessment of progress but Eisteddfods give students the opportunity to perform on a stage in front of an audience and this can be an invaluable experience. It is here that the reality of performing is first experienced.

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All around the world Eisteddfods help prepare young performers aiming for a career in music. They provide the first step to a challenging and rewarding profession.

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I hope all who take part in the St George Instrumental Eisteddfod have a positive and enjoyable experience and that you learn from this experience and are encouraged to continue your musical studies.

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I wish you all the very best.

Grant Foster.

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Biography of Grant Foster 

DSCM, LMusA, AMusA

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Born in Sydney in 1945, Grant Foster studied piano with Alexander Sverjensky at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he obtained his Diploma of Music in 1966. During that same year Foster won the State ABC Concerto Composition with his performance of Khachaturian's Concerto. He then studied in Paris for seven years with Professor Marcel Ciampi and Denise Reviere and developed a strong technique and an inspired insight into the keyboard repertoire.

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Foster started composing at an early age and composed his first opera, Dark Love, at 16. His music was heard by producers in London, resulting in his composing of incidental music for Peter Pan directed by Sir Robert Helpmann. The show was a big success and ran for seven consecutive Christmas seasons. Later on hearing of the death of Helpmann, he composed an Elegy.

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A return to Sydney saw Foster recording his first major classical piano work, Rhapsody for piano and orchestra - War, Peace, Love, for E.M.I. records. Classical music reviewer in Melbourne, Bob Crimeen wrote of the Rhapsody: "He has written a composition that could in time, be regarded as one of the most significant contributions by an Australian to classical music".

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Several directors from Harrods in London heard the Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra and commissioned Foster to launch their new Harrods Selection label. This consisted of a series of three piano solo CDs featuring works of the great composers and including several of Foster's own compositions. For a 4th CD he was commissioned to compose an overture, The Harrods Celebration Overture, recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Foster compositions include works for piano; songs; chamber music; a flute concerto; and piano concerto. He now lives in Bowral and has recently composed a Concerto in G minor for Piano and Orchestra: A Cry for Peace; a Song Cycle: Songs of Love and Loss; Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra and his Owl of Dubai Suite, consisting of three works inspired by his novel The Owl of Dubai.

This year Foster's Elegy: In Hommage to Sir Robert Helpmann was recorded in Moscow for the Belair Music label based in Monaco. Further recordings are to follow in 2007. Grant Foster is also the Artistic Director of the new Southern Highlands International Piano Competition.

In recent years Foster's The Pearl of Dubai Suite and Ballad of Reading Gaol were recorded in Russia for Quartz Music. His latest CD of piano works were recorded by Melba Recordings.

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Foster completed his 4th Piano Concerto and his 3rd Symphony in 2019.

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About us

 

Devoted volunteers make up the St George Instrumental Eisteddfod Committee. The Committee aims to foster and develop new and existing talent and ensure future generations have the opportunity to compete against the best talent, at the highest level, and in a friendly and supportive way.

 

Our Convener, Mrs Kathryn Phillips, has 50 years plus experience in teaching piano and violin in the St George area. She is one of the most experienced and respected AMEB piano and string examiners in NSW. 

 

Our commitment is to provide the best and most experienced adjudicators for our competitors. We believe that participants should have exposure to the very best in music tuition and education. If you want to contact us to find out more about the Eisteddfod, please email info@stgie.org

 

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