Judging a bagpiper provided a new experience for adjudicator Kevin Findlay.
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“I had one player on the bagpipes, which I’ve never struck before in an eisteddfod, but no reason why not,” he said.
“I’m after the individual performance, whatever instrument it is.”
Mr Findlay has been assessing the musicians at Albury Wodonga Eisteddfod, which continues at Albury Entertainment Centre today with school orchestras and bands.
Originally from Tasmania, Mr Findlay has performed, conducted, taught and adjudicated in Australia and Canada for more than 50 years.
This week he has been enjoying his first experience of the Border competition.
“I’m having a wonderful time,” he said.
“You always get the people who aren’t really prepared properly or are struggling a little bit with the requirements, but also you get all of the others that have become so proficient.”
The adjudicator agreed performers of all abilities could benefit simply from taking part in an eisteddfod.
“I hope that everybody is learning by listening to others and taking it all in and not just be absorbed in their own performance,” he said.
“I’m looking for accuracy, that’s the first thing, but the overall factor which can override accuracy is somebody that performs in a very musical way, I’m looking for a potential musician.”
Mr Findlay spoke to The Border Mail straight after yesterday’s senior school choirs session.
“Some of those choirs were quite special, very talented, it was a really nice morning of music,” he said.
He praised the efforts of the volunteers, led by music co-ordinator Faith Casley-Porter and urged other helpers to join them and spread the load.
“Her team is small but boy, they work hard,” Mr Findlay said.
“With a community the size of Albury-Wodonga, you should have no trouble finding more people.”
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