2026
The 2026 Vocal Division was held from 26 June to 4 July at The Warehouse Theatre and Hartley Concert Room at Adelaide University. Our Adjudicators were Nicholas Lester, Mark Oates and Kim Spargo.
The Arnold Matters Vocal Scholarship was awarded to mezzo-soprano, Tessa McKenna.
Our other Special Award Winners will be announced at the Special Award Winners Concert on Sunday 20 September.
2027
For the first time in 2027, the Vocal Division will be split into two specialties: “Classical” and “Contemporary, Jazz and Music Theatre”.
We are looking for a new Convenor to lead Contemporary,
Jazz and Music Theatre (CJMT) Voice.
If this is something you may be interested in, please email us at: [email protected]
Fiona McArdle and Jemimah Lanyon will remain Convenors for the Classical Voice specialty.
2027 Classical
The 2027 Classical Vocal Division will be held in early July. More details, including the Classical Vocal Syllabus will be made available in early January.
2027 Classical Vocal Syllabus (available January 2027)
2027 Classical Vocal Programme (available May 2027)
Have questions or want to sponsor a section in Classical? Please contact Convenors, Fiona and Jem: [email protected]
2027 Contemporary, Jazz and Music Theatre
Details for the 2027 Contemporary, Jazz and Music Theatre Vocal Division will be confirmed once a convenor for this Division has been found.
Have questions or want to sponsor a section in Contemporary, Commercial and Music Theatre Voice? Please contact us!
Sponsors and Supporters
We would like to thank our Vocal Division Sponsors: Elder Conservatorium Classical Voice Department, The Warehouse Theatre, Adelaide Harmony Choir, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Adelaide Voice Therapy, Classical Singer Sundays, Royal Commonwealth Society of South Australia, Three D Radio (93.7FM), Meran Bow, Penny Bowen, Christopher Cook, Mary Handley OAM, Rosalind Martin, Stuart Maunder, Fiona McArdle, Helen Mills, Jamie Moffatt, Mark Oates, Neil & Lyn Palmer, Luigi & Carmel Pisaniello, Debbie, Rick & Airlie Sarre, Suzy Xi Sun, Sally Tonkin.
Would you like to support the Vocal Division by sponsoring a section? Please email [email protected]
The Arnold Matters Vocal Scholarship
Arnold Matters OAM was an Australian operatic baritone, teacher and producer whose career was made mostly in England during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He was born in Malvern, Adelaide, South Australia, and at first took up a position in the Public Service, but in his spare time pursued his interests in music and singing. In 1927 he won the Sun Aria Contest in Ballarat and began to attract attention, including that of Dame Nellie Melba. He went to London in 1929 and in 1932 was engaged by Sadler’s Wells where he spent eight years singing principal baritone roles. He returned to Australia in 1941 to join the Armed Forces and then spent the war in entertainment and welfare work. After the war he returned to Sadler’s Wells, becoming a mainstay of the company, before returning to Australia in the mid-1950s to begin teaching at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985 for “service to music, particularly as an opera singer and teacher”.
Following the death of Arnold Matters OAM in 1990, the Adelaide Eisteddfod Development Fund Management Committee announced the creation of the Arnold Matters Vocal Scholarship Trust, inviting donations from the music community. To further support the Trust, a fundraising performance of Verdi’s Requiem was held in Elder Hall in May 1993.
Offered biennially since 1992, the Arnold Matters Vocal Scholarship is the Adelaide Eisteddfod Society’s most prestigious award, providing support to an individual who shows the potential to pursue a professional vocal career; to assist their development through further education, mentoring and experience.
The Arnold Matters Vocal Scholarship previous winners include:
| 2026: Tessa McKenna 2024: Phoebe Paine 2022: James Emerson 2018: Alexandra Ioan 2016: Karina Bailey 2014: Sarah Jane Pattichis | 2012: Ian Andrew 2010: Robert MacFarlane 2008: Lauren Easton 2006: Patrick Lim 2004: Andrew Turner 2002: Maxine Montgomery | 2000: Erika Tolano 1998: Matthew Henrick 1996: Alison Farr 1994: Grant Doyle 1992: Vanessa Benger |
Dawn Wallace Award
The Friends of State Opera SA have sponsored the Dawn Wallace Award since 1982. Dawn Wallace was Secretary of the Friends of the State Opera for 23 years and a great supporter of classical singers of all ages.
We are incredibly grateful to The Friends of State Opera SA for their continued support of the Vocal Division and young/emerging singers.
The Friends of State Opera SA Dawn Wallace Award previous winners include:
| 2025: Gianna Guttilla 2023: Callum McGing 2021: Victoria Coxhill 2019: Dione Baker 2017: Karina Bailey 2015: Sarah Jane Pattichis | 2013: Lisa Cannizzaro 2011: Naomi Hede 2009: Lachlan Scott 2007: Lauren Easton 2005: 2003: Pelham Andrews | 2001: Lisa Robinson 1999: Daniella Ruggiero 1997: Lindsey Day 1995: Teresa La Rocca 1993: Vanessa Benger |
Vocal Division Convenor: Fiona McArdle
Vocal Division Assistant Convenor: Jemimah Lanyon