2010 Alhambra Sadie Awards Postponed

The Alhambra Sadie award has operated since 2007 with strong sponsorship support from Alhambra guitars and Hans Music Spot. In 2009, we experienced a drop off in support for a specific criteria of the award, that being the requirement to compete at regional eisteddfods.

The committee of the Classical Guitar Society of Victoria have noted the lack of support for the eisteddfod concept and have decided to postpone the awards in 2010, and work towards re-designing the award for 2011 and beyond.

We look forward to sharing it with you.
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BENDIGO'S 85th Annual Eisteddfod
Some results of the Stringed Instruments Competition

Adjudicator : Michael Loughlin

15 years and under
First place : Allen Ling - CGSV member
Allen played Magic Flute - Sor

18 years and under
First place : Allen Ling
Asturias - Albeniz

23 years and under
Second place : Allen Ling
La Cathedral - Agustin Barrios
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RINGWOOD Eisteddfod
Ringwood Eisteddfod results- 20th June 2010

Adjudicator : Dan McKay

Open solo section:
Dan expected a very high standard performance in this section, approaching what one may consider a "concert standard" of performance.
"This was great!! A real pleasure to listen to "He enjoyed everyone's playing. It was sometimes small things that discerned one player over another such as suitability of repertoire, personality, clarity of phrasing, sense of space, rounded performance.

1st
Julia Bakowski - Sor - Fantasia and Weiss Fantasia
2nd
Ziggy Johnston -Phillip Houghton -God of the Northern Forrest
3rd
Lucy Lennox - Etude Villa Llobos, Tarrega Maria -Gavotte
Estudio op 14
Highly Commended
Michael Kofran -Rotondo- Bach cello suite no 1 Piazolla -Verano Porteno

VCE, 18 years and under

Dan mentioned the importance of observing the time limit

1st
Ziggy Johnston -Francisco Tarrega Capricho Arabe
2nd place equal
Lucy Lennox prelude no 1 Llobos
Emma Wylie Bach BWV 998 prelude, BWV1007 Prelude
3rd
Miles Johnston - Andrew York Sunburst

16 years and under
There was a very high standard displayed and an interesting approach to the repertoire, both from the point of view of the teachers as well as the individual.
As the standard increased it became more difficult to adjudicate, it was less clear cut. Where a student was better in one area there could sometimes be other areas needing attention. He applauded the progress that had occurred over the years. It is important to check the time limit set for each section and not to go over -whilst it did not effect the outcomes on this occasion, it may be the deciding factor when the results are close, or may even lead to disqualification in some competitions.

1st
Miles Johnston Maximo Diego Pujol Preludio Triston
2nd
Michael Kofran-Rotondo Pujol
3rd
Ziggy Johnston Augustin Barrios Mangore -Julia Florida
Highly Commended
Emma Wylie prelude no1 Llobos
Lachlan McKenzie Prelude no 4


12 years and under
Dan commented on the importance of the sound, and recommended that the students pay attention to tuning the guitar properly, tuning quietly.. They need to discuss the best use of nails with their teacher and how to create a full bodied sound by planting the fingers well. He suggested growing their nails, if they had not done so.
Dan also commented on their bowing etiquette on the stage before and after the performance - performers can attempt to coordinate bowing with the applause.
He was pleased to see the effort gone into personal presentation -they were all well dressed. In this group the marks were very close together
1st
Miles Johnston Luys De Navarez - Chancion Del Emperador
2nd
Sam Brodsky Lauro -El Negrita
3rd
Cloe Wylie João Teixeira Guimarães Sounds of Bells
Highly commended
Stuart McKenzie - Rondo

Open duet section
Duet playing is about communication
it is important to cue visually to maximize timing and expression synchronization

1st
Ziggy and Miles Johnston Carulli - The Trios Petit Duos, OP. 146, No. 2

Under 18 years duet section
"It is great to play with others, it is a nice social occasion and opens up more repertoire, excellent to see the so many siblings playing together." The Grigoryan Brothers came through this very eisteddfod a few years in succession

1st
Miles and Ziggy Johnston - Manuel de Falla. The Millers Dance and Dance of the Corregidor
2nd
Cloe and Emma Wylie
3rd equal
Lucie Lennox and Dylan Malzinskas
Cameron and Emma Wylie
Highly Commended
Lachlan and Stuart McKenzie
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Boroondara Eisteddfod results-
Hawthorn Town Hall - 24 May 2010

Adjudicator: Dr. Geoffrey Morris
Dr. Morris was astounded at the extra-ordinary level of performance. He felt that the rise in the instrumental standards over the last decade could one day result in the restoration of the guitar as a 'Royal' instrument as it had once enjoyed in the Court of Louis XIV when Robert de Visee and Francesco Corbetta established the instrument as a central part of French artistic life.
The aspects that were considered by Dr. Morris included: tone quality, rhythmic character, stylistic requirements and demonstration of an understanding of the musicological background. He stated that across the board there was an impressive display of musical memory, fluent relaxed technique and a refreshing diversity of repertoire and congratulated all those who took part.

Classical Guitar Solo: Open
Dr. Morris had difficulty discerning first and second place in this category. The performances were both of an excellent standard.

Open Section
1st :
Maximillian Rudd - Prelude from 'Prelude, Fugue and Allegro' by J.S Bach En Los Trigales by Joaquin Rodrigo.

2nd :
Eamon Roy - Tarrega - Capricho Arabe and Leo Brouwer - Ojos Brujos

3rd :
Michael Kofran-Rotondo - Bach - Cello suite No 1 and Piazzolla - Vorano Porteno

Honourable mention:
Victor Huang - Villa Lobos - Prelude No 1 and Caprice - Luigi Legnani

16 years and under.
Dr. Morris commented that the performance by Miles was "beyond his years".

1st:
Miles Johnston - Llobet - El Noi de La Mare

2nd:
Ziggy Johnston - Phillip Houghton - God of the Northern Forest

3rd:
Samuel Brodsky - Villa Lobos - Prelude No 1

Honourable mention:
Victor Huang - Ponce - Valse
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Ringwood Eisteddfod
Classical Guitar
Sunday 20th June 2010 commencing 9.30.a.m.
Venue: Senior Citizens Hall (Norwood Park)
Warrandyte Road, RINGWOOD NTH : 3134 : Melways. 49 H 5

The closing date for entry is 7th May 2010 (entries will be accepted up to the 16th but it incurs at late fee of $5.00).

Section 34
12 years and under/ time limit 3 mins
Section 35
16 years & under/ time limit 4 mins
Section 36
VCE Curriculum/18 years & under/ time limit 5 mins
Section 37
Group 18 years & under (2-5) players/ time limit 8 mins.
Section 38
Open Time limit 10 mins
Open winner to receive prize and to perform on Grand Final Night.
Section 39 Group Open (2-5) players time limit 10 min

For further information:
RINGWOOD EISTEDDFOD
Lyn Lynch
PO Box 299, RINGWOOD, VIC, 3134
ph:(03) 9870 5851
ljrumpol@alphalink.com.au

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The Adelaide International Guitar Festival :
Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th November 2010.
this year the Artistic Director is Slava Grigoryan.
For an overview of the festival:

This year the Festival has included a major new
International Classical Guitar Competition into its program.
It is a wonderful opportunity for emerging new players to be heard on an International platform.

Entries close on Wednesday 31 March 2010