The Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod, which commenced last Saturday at the Maclean civic hall, is amid eight days of performances by local artist. “An excellent weekend of music performances was enjoyed by good audiences in attendance at our first four sessions,” Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod Association’s president, Doug Towner, said. “The adjudicator, Philip Sketchley OAM from Newcastle, has been most impressed with the excellent standard of our musical performers. “A strong focus is placed on the educational benefits (particularly for our young students) of performing in front of discerning audiences. “It is great to see talented young people not only demonstrating their musical skill but also to see the mutual support given to each other.” The eisteddfod culminates on Saturday with the championship sections and a concert. “Throughout the week some thousands of dollars are on offer as prize money to participants in the sections for piano, vocal, choral, schools, strings, woodwind and brass instruments,” Mr Towner said. “All members of our community are welcome to come and hear some excellent music making.” Morning sessions commence each day at 9.30am and afternoon sessions commence at 1.30pm. Entrance cost is $5/adult and $3/concession. Championships commence at 9am on Saturday morning. The Eisteddfod Celebration Concert commences at 2pm and tickets are on sale at the door $10/adult and $8/concession. Students under 18 are admitted free. “There will be performances of some of the more outstanding items heard throughout the week, as well as from our championship contenders,” Mr Towner said. “A special guest performance will be by our local singer Michelle Ryan, back from performances in Europe, and a rare duet performance by our adjudicator Philip Sketchley and another local musical ‘notable’.”