Community
28 June, 2024
5000 of region’s most talented wow CPAC audiences
MORE than 5000 young people have come together in the past week, performing and cheering as the 69th annual Cairns Junior Eisteddfod comes to an end.
Held at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, the junior eisteddfod consisted of 18 days, with over 5000 of the region’s young people performing either individually or in a team for the hope of taking the win.
In over 54 different sessions, including dance, speech, poetry, drama and both vocal and instrumental music, the region’s most talented youth are involved.
Eisteddfod president Robin Smith said the event consisted of various arts and categories, both vocal and instrumental music, with bands, choirs and orchestras participating, as well as speech and drama and dancing.
She said that the participating choirs were almost completely school groups, with many participants over the years going on to succeed in professional careers.
“We’ve had competitors that have gone on to be professional performers,” Ms Smith said.
“A lot of them will go on after year 12 and study at the conservatorium or full-time ballet schools.”
Ms Smith said that no matter what pathway was intended, performing arts developed exceptional micro skills applicable to everyone.
“Even if they don’t, people who are involved in the performing arts get a great deal more than just the performance skills,” she said.
“They develop resilience, manage anxiety as well as the ability to focus and concentrate.
“This is why James Cook University is one of our major sponsors, because they recognise the skills, that the training in performing arts, such as dance, speech, music and drama, equip these young people with.
“There’s lots of micro skills, that these young people are going to get going on through performing arts.”
