Under construction…… please be patient
The National Eisteddfod is calling for entries for the 18th NEA Young Performer Awards Competition.
The National Eisteddfod Young Performer Awards Competition, the most prestigious event of its kind in South Africa for young performers in music, dance and drama , is annually presented over 4 elimination rounds. In recent years more than R500,000 in prizes were awarded to top achievers in music, dance and drama.
The Final Round will be presented at the Roodepoort Theatre on 8 May 2021 when Gold, Silver, Bronze medals will be awarded to the best performers in music, dance and drama. This Final Round will be preceded by 4 Semi-final rounds from 4 – 7 May 2021.
What is the format of this competition ?
- This competition is presented over FOUR rounds.
- The first round comprises of adjudicated events in each genre, where the adjudicator panels nominate participants to proceed to the quarter final round.
- The quarter finals take on a similar format: the adjudicator’s panel for each genre will select 15 – 20 participants / groups that will then compete in one of the four semi-final rounds.
- To provide for the challenges of creating a fair approach when adjudicating and ranking live and video performances in the Quarter Final round, live and video performances will be ranked separately. The final Quarter Final ranking order will then comprise of the top achievers from both lists.
- The 4 semi-final rounds of Young Performer Awards competition are presented in concert format at a theatre. Each concert is dedicated to a genre (classical and contemporary music, dance and drama. The best participants in the different categories, as decided by the adjudicators’ panel, are then invited to compete in the final round.
- In the final round, a panel of experts representative of the different genres finally decide on the winners of the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
- An auditors’ company oversees the adjudication process in the semi-final and final rounds.
Who may enter and how does one qualify to enter into this competition?
This competition is open for all recipients of diploma awards in the National Eisteddfod 2020, as well as top achievers who participated in other local eisteddfods / festivals during 2020: (excluding all reading and improvised categories).
As a result of the challenges caused by Covid-19 since last year, various options and new opportunities are now available for participation in the FIRST and SECOND ROUNDS of the Young Performer Awards Competition:
Participants in the annual National Eisteddfod of South Africa®:
Diploma recipients in the National Eisteddfod 2020 have already qualified to enter the Young Performer Awards Competition and have TWO options available for participating in the FIRST and SECOND ROUNDS:
| LIVE PERFORMANCE – You are required to perform live at a given venue on the date that will be provided on the online entry platform. |
| VIDEO RECORDED PERFORMANCE – You are required to submit a video recording of your performance not later that 13 March 2021. |
Participants in the National Eisteddfod of 2020 also have the following options available:
- Participants may submit their entries ONLINE at a lower entry fee.
- Participants also have the option to submit their entries in a Hard Copy format (a higher entry fee is charged for hard copy entries.)
- Since 2020 individual participants are no longer limited to only the exact “approved” items as presented at the Eisteddfod in 2020:
- Similar items have been grouped together to create new broader categories that require a similar “skill set”. (For example: Lyrical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Free Verse Poetry etc. have been grouped together in a “Poetry Category“).
- This approach now opens up new opportunities for the serious performer: If you have received a diploma award for any one item in this category, you may now enter any number of the other items in the same category. For example: if you only qualified with your performance of a narrative poem, you may now also enter a lyrical poem and/or free verse and/or another narrative poem in the same category.
- The rationale for this approach is that achievement on diploma level in any category is considered as confirmation that the participant has acquired the higher skills level required in the given category. This now provides for an opportunity to present additional items within the “approved” skill set and is also an incentive for the participant to stretch his/her wings.
- When submitting entries ONLINE participants will notice that their approved entries include the item(s) that they received diplomas for, as well as all the other available items in the same category that they now may enter for. In addition the items now also reflect their current grades (except for the open section).
Participants in other festivals / events:
- Any participant that received a diploma or similar award in any other festival or event may qualify (Achievement of 90%+ or on diploma level required and proof of achievement should be submitted with the entry / entries.)
- Most performance categories are accepted (except for reading and improvised categories that are excluded).
- Proof of the said achievement needs to be submitted for approval with the entry.
- Entries can only be submitted in HARD COPY format at the applicable entry fee.
Can someone that didn’t participate in an eisteddfod or similar activity in 2020 qualify to enter for the Young Performer Awards Competition?
It has become apparent that some participants now regret the fact that they, as a result of Covid-19 in the past year, did not have an opportunity to participate in any eisteddfod event. For this reason the NEA has created a Preliminary Qualifying Round as an alternative opportunity for a limited period for those participants.
The Preliminary Qualifying Round provides anyone that currently does not qualify to enter for the Young Performer Awards Competition an opportunity to qualify. For this purpose an aspiring participant has to submit an ONLINE VIDEO entry as if it was submitted for Eisteddfod 2020 . The closing date for these entries is 6 March and the proof of paying the non-refundable special entry fee of R100.00 needs to be submitted together with this entry.
Preliminary Qualifying Round
Once it has been received (with proof of payment), all Preliminary Qualifying Round videos will be submitted to a member of the NEA Adjudicators’ Forum for adjudication. Feedback and results will be distributed by e-mail to all participants for this round not later than 10 March. Any participant that then receive a diploma award for this recorded performance, will then be allowed to enter for the Young Performer Awards at the normal ONLINE entry fee until 13 March (according to the standard procedures for live and video entries).
This Preliminary Qualifying Round opportunity is open for :
- Participant(s) in the National Eisteddfod 2020 that did not qualify to enter this Competition in any particular genre.
- Any one that did not participate in the National Eisteddfod 2020 or any other eisteddfod or similar event and subsequently could not qualify to enter for the Young Performer Awards Competition 2021
Procedure for submitting an entry for the Preliminary Qualifying Round:
- Register on the National Eisteddfod ONLINE ENTRY platform if you have not done so before.
- Click here to register or
- For help with the how, click here.
- Login to your existing or new Online Profile.
- Click here to login or
- For for help click here.
- Submit your entry ONLINE. For more information about submitting entries online, click here.
- Record your performance on video and submit your video for adjudication by following the Guidelines and requirements for Video Recorded Entries
- Should you get stuck or need further assistance, please call the NEA Office on 011 886 6005 (office hours). Kindly note that our staff is currently working remotely and your call will be transferred. Alternatively, please send an email to admin@eisteddfod.co.za with more information about your query.
Closing dates and entry fees for LIVE and VIDEO RECORDED performances
Entry fees are determined by the number of participants, date of entry as well as the format of submission (Online or in Hard copy format), as well as the mode of presentation (Live Performance or Video Recorded Performance).
Closing dates and entry fees (Participants in the National Eisteddfod of SA during 2020) Live Performances ONLY
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) |
Small Group (6-10) | Larger Group (11+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Early Bird entry | 3 March 2021 | R 360 | R 380 | R 400 | R 455 |
| Online Normal entry | 13 March 2021 | R 390 | R 410 | R 430 | R 490 |
| Online Late Bird | 20 March 2021 | R 420 | R 440 | R 460 | R 520 |
| Hard Copy | 5 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Closing dates and entry fees (Participants in other Festivals / Competitions 2020) Live performances ONLY :
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) | Small Group (6-10) | Larger Group (11+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard copy | 5 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Closing dates and entry fees for all VIDEO RECORDED PERFORMANCES
(This information applies to all participants in the annual National Eisteddfod of SA 2020, as well as participants in Other Festivals during 2020) wanting to submit Video Recorded Performances for adjudication in the FIRST and QUARTER FINAL ROUNDS of the Young Performer Awards Competition).
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) |
Small Group (6-10) |
Large Group (11+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video Recording Early bird entry | 3 March 2021 | R 360 | R 380 | R 380 | R 380 |
| Video Recording Standard entry | 13 March 2021 | R 390 | R 410 | R 410 | R 410 |
| Video Recording Late entry | 20 March 2021 | R 420 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
| Video Recording Hardcopy entry | 13 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Special Requests Young Performer Awards Competition
To provide for possible challenges, participants may submit special request pertaining to availability before the closing date for entries to admin@eisteddfod.co.za.
We will attempt to accommodate all requests submitted in advance, but please note that given the particular demands of this competition, we cannot give any guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all requests.
In order to facilitate the adjudication process, events are scheduled according to the participant’s grade (e.g. it does not make sense to schedule a Gr R participant with a group of Gr. 6 learners). For this reason and in the interest of the participant, we will be reluctant to allow any rescheduling of events.
Where and How does one enter into this competition?
How and where does one submit an online entry for the Young Performer Awards Competition?
Important: Participants in other festivals cannot enter ONLINE.
Once you have downloaded and completed the necessary form, it has to be completed and faxed / e-mailed with the necessary supportive documents attached (proof of payment and achievement in other festival / eisteddfod) to: entry@eisteddfod.co.za or 011-787-3534.
What are the Rules and Regulations for the Young Performer Awards Competition?
Young Performer Awards Competition – Dates for 2021
Provisional Programme:
According to preliminary planning the schedule of events for LIVE performances will be published ONLINE by 15 March. The adjudication of LIVE performances will be scheduled for 17 March – 31 March.
(Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the programme of events might be subject to change. )
Programme for LIVE participation in the Young Performer Awards Competition 2021
First Round: 17 March – 10 April 2021
A panel of adjudicators will adjudicate all “live” and “recorded” entries.
Quarter Final Round: 12 April – 23 April 2021
A limited number of participants will be selected in the First Round to compete in the Quarter Final Round, either in a live performance or by submitting a new video recording for adjudication. Invitations to these participants will be forwarded to cell numbers/e-mail addresses as provided on the entry forms. It is therefore important to ensure that this information is provided on the entry from with great care and is clearly legible.
Semi-Final Round: 4 – 7 May 2021
Separate events will be presented at the Roodepoort Theatre for Speech & Drama, Classical Music, Contemporary Music and Dance, etc. The overall junior and senior winners of all sections will also be announced at each of these concerts.
Final Event: 8 May 2021
The overall junior and senior winners of all sections will finally compete for the overall awards on 8 May at the Roodepoort Theatre.
Entry Fees: Young Performer Awards Competition 2021
Guidelines for submitting video recorded entries
How to submit an entry for the Young Performer Awards Competition
Who are the previous winners of this competition?
Here is some news about of the achievements of about previous top achievers in the Young Performer Awards: Read here…
What does others say about this competition?
This is what our adjudicators said about previous events: Read more..
Special Requests Young Performer Awards Competition
To provide for possible challenges, participants may submit special request pertaining to availability before the closing date for entries to admin@eisteddfod.co.za. We will attempt to accommodate all requests submitted in advance, but please note that given the particular demands of this competition, we cannot give any guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all requests.
In order to facilitate the adjudication process, events are scheduled according to the participant’s grade (e.g. it does not make sense to schedule a Gr R participant with a group of Gr. 6 learners). For this reason and in the interest of the participant, we will be reluctant to allow any rescheduling of events.
When do I perform in the Young Performer Awards Competition?
Young Performer Awards – How to enter? . .
- Similar items have been grouped together to create new broader categories that require a similar “skill set”. (For example: Lyrical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Free Verse Poetry etc. have been grouped together in a “Poetry Category“).
- This approach now opens up new opportunities for the serious performer: If you have received a diploma award for any one item in this category, you may now enter any number of the other items in the same category. For example: if you only qualified with your performance of a narrative poem, you may now also enter a lyrical poem and/or free verse and/or another narrative poem in the same category.
- The rationale for this approach is that achievement on diploma level in any category is considered as confirmation that the participant has acquired the higher skills level required in the given category. This now provides for an opportunity to present additional items within the “approved” skill set and is also an incentive for the participant to stretch his/her wings.
- When submitting entries ONLINE participants will notice that their approved entries include the item(s) that they received diplomas for, as well as all the other available items in the same category that they now may enter for. In addition the items now also reflect their current grades (except for the open section).
What is the format of this competition ?
- This competition is presented over FOUR rounds.
- The first round comprises of adjudicated events in each genre, where the adjudicator panels nominate participants to proceed to the quarter final round.
- The quarter finals take on a similar format: the adjudicator’s panel for each genre will select 15 – 20 participants / groups that will then compete in one of the four semi-final rounds.
- To provide for the challenges of creating a fair approach when adjudicating and ranking live and video performances in the Quarter Final round, live and video performances will be ranked separately. The final Quarter Final ranking order will then comprise of the top achievers from both lists.
- The 4 semi-final rounds of Young Performer Awards competition are presented in concert format at a theatre. Each concert is dedicated to a genre (classical and contemporary music, dance and drama. The best participants in the different categories, as decided by the adjudicators’ panel, are then invited to compete in the final round.
- In the final round, a panel of experts representative of the different genres finally decide on the winners of the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
- An auditors’ company oversees the adjudication process in the semi-final and final rounds.
Participants in the annual National Eisteddfod of South Africa®:
Diploma recipients in the National Eisteddfod 2020 have already qualified to enter the Young Performer Awards Competition and have TWO options available for participating in the FIRST and SECOND ROUNDS:
| LIVE PERFORMANCE – You are required to perform live at a given venue on the date that will be provided on the online entry platform. |
| VIDEO RECORDED PERFORMANCE – You are required to submit a video recording of your performance not later that 13 March 2021. |
Participants in the National Eisteddfod of 2020 also have the following options available:
- Participants may submit their entries ONLINE at a lower entry fee.
- Participants also have the option to submit their entries in a Hard Copy format (a higher entry fee is charged for hard copy entries.)
- Since 2020 individual participants are no longer limited to only the exact “approved” items as presented at the Eisteddfod in 2020:
- Similar items have been grouped together to create new broader categories that require a similar “skill set”. (For example: Lyrical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Free Verse Poetry etc. have been grouped together in a “Poetry Category“).
- This approach now opens up new opportunities for the serious performer: If you have received a diploma award for any one item in this category, you may now enter any number of the other items in the same category. For example: if you only qualified with your performance of a narrative poem, you may now also enter a lyrical poem and/or free verse and/or another narrative poem in the same category.
- The rationale for this approach is that achievement on diploma level in any category is considered as confirmation that the participant has acquired the higher skills level required in the given category. This now provides for an opportunity to present additional items within the “approved” skill set and is also an incentive for the participant to stretch his/her wings.
- When submitting entries ONLINE participants will notice that their approved entries include the item(s) that they received diplomas for, as well as all the other available items in the same category that they now may enter for. In addition the items now also reflect their current grades (except for the open section).
- Similar items have been grouped together to create new broader categories that require a similar “skill set”. (For example: Lyrical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Free Verse Poetry etc. have been grouped together in a “Poetry Category“).
Participants in other festivals / events:
- Any participant that received a diploma or similar award in any other festival or event may qualify.
- Most performance categories are accepted (except for reading and improvised categories that are excluded).
- Proof of the said achievement needs to be submitted for approval with the entry.
- Entries can only be submitted in HARD COPY format at the applicable entry fee.
The Preliminary Qualifying Round provides anyone that currently does not qualify to enter for the Young Performer Awards Competition an opportunity to qualify. For this purpose an aspiring participant has to submit an ONLINE VIDEO entry as if it was submitted for Eisteddfod 2020 . The closing date for these entries is 6 March and the proof of paying the non-refundable special entry fee of R100.00 needs to be submitted together with this entry.
Preliminary Qualifying Round
Once it has been received (with proof of payment), all Preliminary Qualifying Round videos will be submitted to a member of the NEA Adjudicators’ Forum for adjudication. Feedback and results will be distributed by e-mail to all participants for this round not later than 10 March. Any participant that then receive a diploma award for this recorded performance, will then be allowed to enter for the Young Performer Awards at the normal ONLINE entry fee until 13 March (according to the standard procedures for live and video entries).
This Preliminary Qualifying Round opportunity is open for :
- Participant(s) in the National Eisteddfod 2020 that did not qualify to enter this Competition in any particular genre.
- Any one that did not participate in the National Eisteddfod 2020 or any other eisteddfod or similar event and subsequently could not qualify to enter for the Young Performer Awards Competition 2021
Procedure for submitting an entry for the Preliminary Qualifying Round:
- Register on the National Eisteddfod ONLINE ENTRY platform if you have not done so before.
- Click here to register or
- For help with the how, click here.
- Login to your existing or new Online Profile.
- Click here to login or
- For for help click here.
- Submit your entry ONLINE. For more information about submitting entries online, click here.
- Record your performance on video and submit your video for adjudication by following the Guidelines and requirements for Video Recorded Entries
- Should you get stuck or need further assistance, please call the NEA Office on 011 886 6005 (office hours). Kindly note that our staff is currently working remotely and your call will be transferred. Alternatively, please send an email to admin@eisteddfod.co.za with more information about your query.
Closing dates and entry fees for LIVE and VIDEO RECORDED performances
Entry fees are determined by the number of participants, date of entry as well as the format of submission (Online or in Hard copy format), as well as the mode of presentation (Live Performance or Video Recorded Performance).
Closing dates and entry fees (Participants in the National Eisteddfod of SA during 2020) Live Performances ONLY
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) | Small Group (6-10) | Larger Group (11+) |
| Online Early Bird entry | 3 March 2021 | R 360 | R 380 | R 400 | R 455 |
| Online Normal entry | 13 March 2021 | R 390 | R 410 | R 430 | R 490 |
| Online Late Bird | 20 March 2021 | R 420 | R 440 | R 460 | R 520 |
| Hard Copy | 5 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Closing dates and entry fees (Participants in other Festivals / Competitions 2020) Live performances ONLY :
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) | Small Group (6-10) | Larger Group (11+) |
| Hard copy | 5 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Closing dates and entry fees for all VIDEO RECORDED PERFORMANCES
(This information applies to all participants in the annual National Eisteddfod of SA 2020, as well as participants in Other Festivals during 2020) wanting to submit Video Recorded Performances for adjudication in the FIRST and QUARTER FINAL ROUNDS of the Young Performer Awards Competition).
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) | Small Group (6-10) | Large Group (11+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video Recording Early bird entry | 3 March 2021 | R 360 | R 380 | R 380 | R 380 |
| Video Recording Standard entry | 13 March 2021 | R 390 | R 410 | R 410 | R 410 |
| Video Recording Late entry | 20 March 2021 | R 420 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
| Video Recording Hardcopy entry | 13 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Entry Fees: Young Performer Awards Competition 2021
LATEST COPY:
Closing dates and entry fees (Participants in the National Eisteddfod of SA during 2020) Live Performances ONLY
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) | Small Group (6-10) | Larger Group (11+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Early Bird entry | 3 March 2021 | R 360 | R 380 | R 400 | R 455 |
| Online Normal entry | 13 March 2021 | R 390 | R 410 | R 430 | R 490 |
| Online Late Bird | 20 March 2021 | R 420 | R 440 | R 460 | R 520 |
| Hard Copy | 5 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Closing dates and entry fees (Participants in other Festivals / Competitions 2020) Live performances ONLY :
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) | Small Group (6-10) | Larger Group (11+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard copy | 5 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Closing dates and entry fees for all VIDEO RECORDED PERFORMANCES
(This information applies to all participants in the annual National Eisteddfod of SA 2020, as well as participants in Other Festivals during 2020) wanting to submit Video Recorded Performances for adjudication in the FIRST and QUARTER FINAL ROUNDS of the Young Performer Awards Competition).
| Entry Type | Closing date | Individual Entry | Ensemble Group (2-5) | Small Group (6-10) | Large Group (11+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video Recording Early bird entry | 3 March 2021 | R 360 | R 380 | R 380 | R 380 |
| Video Recording Standard entry | 13 March 2021 | R 390 | R 410 | R 410 | R 410 |
| Video Recording Late entry | 20 March 2021 | R 420 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
| Video Recording Hardcopy entry | 13 March 2021 | R 400 | R 440 | R 440 | R 440 |
Entry Fees: Young Performer Awards Competition 2021
Dates for Live performances in the First Round:
The programme of venues and dates for live performances in die First and Quarter Final Rounds will be published online by 15 March 2021.
Programme for LIVE participation in the Young Performer Awards Competition 2021
First Round: 17 March – 10 April 2021
A panel of adjudicators will adjudicate all “live” and “recorded” entries.
Quarter Final Round: 12 April – 23 April 2021
A limited number of participants will be selected in the First Round to compete in the Quarter Final Round, either in a live performance or by submitting a new video recording for adjudication. Invitations to these participants will be forwarded to cell numbers/e-mail addresses as provided on the entry forms. It is therefore important to ensure that this information is provided on the entry from with great care and is clearly legible.
Semi-Final Round: 4 – 7 May 2021
Separate events will be presented at the Roodepoort Theatre for Speech & Drama, Classical Music, Contemporary Music and Dance, etc. The overall junior and senior winners of all sections will also be announced at each of these concerts.
Final Event: 8 May 2021
The overall junior and senior winners of all sections will finally compete for the overall awards on 8 May at the Roodepoort Theatre.