The NEA wishes to extend a sincere word of appreciation towards all institutions, schools and studios for their willingness to host Eisteddfod events for their own students, and also in some instances, for other participants as well.
The timeframe for the live and virtual performances for this year is between end of July and early October. For more information about the available venues and hosting dates that are currently available, please click HERE. This information will be updated whenever necessary. Additional venues will be secured where and when necessary to provide for all participants.
“LIVE” PERFORMANCES:
Participation details for “live” performances will be published on the online entry page not later than 2 weeks before the date of participation.
The scheduling of events at institutions that will be hosting their only own students will be done according to the agreements with the relevant institutions.
Any special requests pertaining to unavailable dates within the given timeframe should be submitted well in advance. A copy of this document has been provided in Part 13 of the Prospectus (page 10). This section can be downloaded HERE.
“VIRTUAL” PERFORMANCES
A “virtual” performance provides an alternative to a “live performance” when a live performance is not possible or desirable. Access to a reasonably fast and stable internet connection for this purpose is highly desirable.
A “virtual performance” will be adjudicated in “real time” with the use of internet platforms like “Zoom” and others. For this purpose, all the participants in a given session will be connect in one “virtual meeting” where they will be able to see the other performances and to receive immediate feedback from the adjudicator at the end of the session.
Virtual events will be scheduled in the same way as live performances, but instead of a participant slip that contains details such as time and venue, they will receive a similar slip that contains a link to a virtual internet session that they must use to connect to the particular session.
► The process to join the virtual session is as follows:
You may either use a computer (with sound and integrated webcam) or a smart phone to join.
If you haven’t done so before, you first need to download the Zoom app on your computer or cell phone
You can access the download page for Zoom here: https://zoom.us/support/download.
Install the app on your computer / phone
5 minutes before the scheduled time of the information session as provided above, click on the link to the virtual session as provided above. (You will see the message “Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon”
If necessary, please follow any prompt as provided on your screen.
► Use a neutral background when setting up your camera (no windows of lighting from the back).
Cell phones should be used in the landscape position.
Do not zoom in and out during the performance.
Any special requests pertaining to unavailable dates within the given timeframe should be submitted well in advance. A copy of this document has been provided in Part 13 of the Prospectus (page 10). This section can be downloaded HERE.
“VIRTUAL” PERFORMANCES: PREPARED AND UNPREPARED READING
- As you might be aware of, all reading and unprepared items, as well as all other items of an improvisational nature, are excluded from video submissions. This is because they require the input of the adjudicator before the performance can take place and hence this cannot be pre-recorded. For more information, refer to the requirements as provided in the Speech and Drama Section of the Prospectus.
- The virtual platform was already successfully utilized for the adjudication of both prepared and unprepared reading since 2020.
- The same process of setting up and joining a virtual session, as outlined above will be followed.
- In addition, the following basic procedures for the virtual adjudication of reading items will be followed:
► Prepared reading: Participants in this category should email the THREE copies of the reading material as required to entry@eisteddfod.co.za at least 3 days before the actual date of participation (please provide your name and grade on all 3 copies).
►Unprepared reading: Participants in this category should verify the correctness of their email address as provided on their online profile. A copy of the unprepared reading material will be emailed to each participant at least 30 minutes before the start of their session. A printout of this document should be made as soon as you have received it in order to prepare.
► The link to the actual date and time of your virtual participation will be distributed to participants.