20162016

The 2016 NIAA Vocal and Instrumental Eisteddfod, generously sponsored by Mashonaland Holdings Limited and the British Council, was stressful but exciting! Stressful, because the first term was very short this year due to the early Easter dates - yet our small band of volunteers managed to offer the complete Eisteddfod “experience” in the limited time available – solos, duets, quartets, ensembles, choirs, bands and orchestras, the Marimba Challenge, the Vocal Challenge, multiple workshops and two concerts in the final weekend.

Exciting, because interest in NIAA and the Eisteddfod grew hugely, especially after a video of Watershed's action packed performance at the Marimba Challenge on 4th March went viral - 4 million hits in 3 days, over 10 million views to date! Visit the NIAA Facebook page to see videos and photos of this and many of the other wonderful performances recorded at the 2016 Eisteddfod, which ran 23rd February to 20th March.

It attracted almost 2000 entries from 84 different schools and 44 private music studios and individuals, including some newcomers which was very pleasing. Entries were received for every section of the syllabus – 286 African instrumental candidates of which 87 were marimba ensembles; 804 Western Instrumental entries of which 49 were large ensembles, bands and orchestras; 717 vocal entries and 190 choirs. Adjudication took place in Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo at venues kindly provided by Prince Edward School, Gateway High, Twin Rivers School, Harare International School, Midlands Christian

College and the Bulawayo Academy of Music.

Our team of adjudicators were well received by both the performers and audience as they expertly shared their knowledge and skills during adjudication sessions and at workshops. The South African contingent comprised musician, lecturer and author Boudina McConnachie (Rhodes University, Grahamstown), who was principal adjudicator; solo vocalist, teacher and conductor Sibusiso

Mkhise (Grahamstown) and cellist, arranger and teacher Lara Block (Hopefield, Western Cape). The Zimbabwean adjudicators were musician, choir director and lecturer Tendekai Kuture (Africa University, Mutare); singer-songwriter Ryan Koriya (an Eisteddfod alumnus who is currently recording an album in Victoria Falls and a member of the rock band Mann Friday); pipe major and teacher Mike McMullen (Harare); jazz artist, song writer and teacher Prudence Katomeni Mbofana (Harare) and mbira player, lecturer and author Perminus Matiure (MSU, Gweru).

The Eisteddfod continues to thrive and provide a wonderful platform for so many musicians, young and old. We are very grateful to all who make an event like this possible - our sponsors, the schools, the adjudicators, the music teachers, the performers and the NIAA team of volunteers. The syllabus for next year's edition has already been published and can be found on the NIAA website and Facebook. We look forward to seeing you all

at the 2017 Eisteddfod next March.

2 0st 1at 6S dofddetsiE

Honours 362Firsts 944

Seconds 370 Thirds 40

Ticha Muzavazi Mbira PrizesMBIRA SOLO

Beginner Japhet Wiriai St Giles

Intermediate Sindiso Muhau Dominican Convent Primary

Advanced Abel Mafuleni Prince Edward

EISTEDDFOD 2016 - AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS EISTEDDFOD 2016 - AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS Trophies

EDULOAN TROPHY Marimba Ensembles: Junior Schools: Masaisai Primary

NIC MANOMANO Marimba Challenge: Junior Schools: Dominican Convent Primary

KUTINYA TROPHY Marimba Challenge: Senior Schools: Prince Edward School

WINAD TROPHY Marimba Challenge: Trad: Senior Sch: Dominican Convent High

“AFRICAN VOICE” CUP A Cappella Ensembles: Senior Schools: St Mary's High

ENSEMBLE CUP African Music Ensembles: Prince Edward Advanced Mbiras

ACORN CUP African Choirs: Junior Schools: Dudzai Primary

ROTARY ETHNIC CUP African Trad/Contemp Choirs Senior: Note 2 Note (All Souls Church)

WATERSHED CUP African Gospel Choirs - Senior Schools: Zengeza 1 High School

Certificates

BEST SOLOS

Beginner Panashe Muchandiona Twin Rivers

Intermediate Abel Mafuleni Prince Edward

Advanced Ano-Joy Manyika Heritage AND

Rutendo Gwese Dominican Convent High

BEST DUETS

Beginner T. Nyakabau with T. Munemo Arundel

Intermediate K. Maworise with S. Mathonsi Midlands Christian College AND

L. Molife with T. Machuwe Watershed College

Advanced St Ignatius Marimba AND

S. Ngwenya with T. Zvomunya Zengeza 1 High

BEST ENSEMBLES

Beginner Thornhill High School Mbira Ensemble

Intermediate Prince Edward Mbira Ensemble AND Regina Mundi Marimba Ensemble

Advanced Prince Edward Mbira Ensemble AND St Ignatius Marimba Ensemble

An exciting Vocal and Instrumental Eisteddfod

1

ChoralASTRA CUP Choirs Grades 1 & 2 Heritage Primary

JOHN GARDINER MEMORIAL TROPHY Choirs Grade 3 Dominican Convent Primary

GRACE CUP Choirs Grade 5 Dominican Convent Primary

MORTON TROPHY Choirs Junior Boys Hartmann House

KATH KENNY CUP Choirs Junior Girls Dominican Convent Primary

MASHONALAND CAMBRIAN CUP Choirs Junior Mixed Lilfordia School

GEM MERCER CUP Choirs Forms I & II Girls Peterhouse Girls

RAY GOUGH CUP Choirs Form I & II Boys Peterhouse Boys

BLYTHE KRUGER SHIELD Choirs Senior Boys St George's College

MASHONALAND CAMBRIAN CUP Choirs Senior Girls Peterhouse Girls

SENIOR SCHOOLS TROPHY Choirs Senior Mixed Peterhouse

NIAA CHURCH CHOIRS CUP Church Choirs Peterhouse

NIAA PRAISE CUP Gospel Choirs Dominican Convent High

LIPTZ CUP Choirs, Open Zimspiration Choir

NIAA A CAPPELLA CHOIR CUP Unaccompanied Choirs St Mary's High School

VocalPAT DUFFY CUP Vocal Solo under 14 Davidzo Chigwedere Bishopslea

LYNETTE WELCH CUP Vocal Solo Girls under 18 Savannah Bolton (S Waugh) AND

Robyn Dawanyi Gateway High

BLYTHE KRUGER SHIELD Vocal Solo Boys under 18 Mufaro Mpisaunga St John's College

FLORA McCALLUM CUP Vocal Solo 18-21 Comfort Myambo

LORNA KELLY CUP Vocal Solo Open David Bvumbe

DR TEASDALE GRIFFITHS TROPHY Opera Solo Tarumbidzashe Kashiri AND

Camilla Reitbauer (M. Dennis)

GRETA MUIR TROPHY Lieder: Singer and Accompanist Jared Manasseh with Ruth Chard

PADDY EDGECOMBE CUP Recital Camilla Reitbauer (M. Dennis)

PETER BOSLEY TROPHY Male Singers 16-18 Challenge Takunda Gwatiringa Prince Edward

MONICA TROLLOPE TROPHY Lady Singers 16-30 Challenge Camilla Reitbauer (M. Dennis)

HARRY TUDBALL TROPHY Singers over 18 Challenge Jared Manasseh (R. Chard)

CALEDONIAN FLOATING TROPHY Madrigals Chisipite Senior School

InstrumentalANNE BECK CUP Piano Solo Baroque: Grades 1 & 2 Catherine Wang (P. Stumbles)

EDDIE RIDER SHIELD Piano Solo Baroque: Grades 3 & 4 Kudzai Rafasha (Watershed)

CAROL BARON TROPHY Piano Solo Romantic – Grade 5 & Over Tendai Nyakabau (Winad) th

PAT DUFFY MEMORIAL Piano Solo 20 Century: Any grade Christopher Kang (Dr P. Renan)

LITTLE CUP Piano Solo Own Choice: Grades 1 to 4 Tinghui Li (L. Hidaka)

NIAA CUP Piano Solo Own Choice: Grades 5 to 8 Nathanael Ejara (St George’s)

HEADINGTON CUP Piano Sonata: Grade 5 & Over Huang Zhulin (Gateway High)

COLLEGE SINFONIETTA CUP Instrumental Sonata: Grade 5 & Over Ann K L Piscoya (J. Micklem)

DI WRIGHT CUP Bowed Strings: under 16 Abigail Macy (Macy Studio)

JOY KNOWLES TROPHY Bowed Strings:16 & Over Sasha Baker (Peterhouse)

NIAA WIND SOLO CUP Woodwind Solo: under 18 Ann K L Piscoya (J. Micklem)

NIAA BRASS CUP Brass Solo: Any grade Christopher du Toit (Hellenic Academy)

BRYDEN RECORDER GROUP TROPHY Recorder Bands Bryden Country School

NIAA ENSEMBLE CUP Vocal or Instrumental Ensembles Peterhouse Clarinet Choir

JUNIOR BANDS/ORCHESTRAS CUP Bands/Orchestras: Junior Schools Hellenic Primary School

NIAA ORCHESTRAS CUP Orchestras - Open Hellenic Academy

MASHONALAND HOLDINGS TROPHY Bands - Open St John's College Pipe Band AND

DIANA MELLON SCHOLARSHIP

Zimbabwean student aged 10-17 for piano/organ studies Nathanael Ejara St George’s

ESTHER LACY CUP for Musicality and Charm Ashley Nyemba Arundel

SAUNDERS FLOATING TROPHY

for Most Promising Singer 17-19 Ano-Joy Manyika Heritage

POCKET CUP for Most Promising Musician under 17 Abigail Macy Macy Studio

LAURENCE & COPE CUP

for Most Promising Musician 17-21 Abel Mafuleni Prince Edward

ADJUDICATOR'S CUP

Outstanding item, Vocal/Instrumental Jared Manasseh

NEELS BOONZAAIER AWARD

To a student for all-round contribution in all aspects of music

Abel Mafuleni Prince Edward AND

Camilla Reitbauer Chisipite Senior

GENERAL AWARDS

EISTEDDFOD 2016 - WESTERN MUSIC AWARDS EISTEDDFOD 2016 - WESTERN MUSIC AWARDS

22

On 1 July the Festival opened at the National Ballet with Dance, adjudicated by well-known Zimbabwean dancers, dance instructors and choreographers, Debbie Fleming, Soukania Marie-Laure Edom and Yeukai Zinyoro Chandiposa. This year there was an increase in the number

of entries and quality of the performances, which ranged across the spectrum of dance genres; traditional, mixed genre, hip hop, contemporary and jazz, with a range of solo, duo and group performances.

This year’s Speech and Drama Festival was held from 27 June to 15 July. It showcased over 8000 children from many cities including Gweru, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Mutare Chinhoyi and Harare.

Midlands Christian College and School, the National Ballet, Prince Edward

School and the Harare International School, hosted the Festival. The International School also hosted the Final Concert on 16 July.

The children in the Festival range from Grade 0 to Upper 6, performing works, many learnt off by heart, in poetry, prose, mime, Shakespeare, acting, movement and plays. The highlight for many were the Improvisation and Choral Speaking classes, when choirs of up to 50 children each perform amusing and beautiful poetry, with some dramatic flair and much originality. Children can perform alone, in a duo partnership or in small to large groups. Some highlights included the Recitals, where a series of poems, acting and

other skills combine to perform on a set title. The News-reading and plays were equally enjoyable, mainly because of the original writing of

the former, and the large numbers of children enjoying themselves in the latter.

This year's acclaimed international adjudicators, both of whom grew up in Zimbabwe, were Erica Schofield, last here to adjudicate in 2013, and theatre academic and practitioner Dr Michael Pearce, who last came in 2008.

Speech & Drama Stats

Honours 156

Firsts 511

Seconds 513

Thirds 167

2016

An Uplifting 2016 Speech & Drama Festival

3

The festival this year had to deal with many challenges, from balancing schools' internal exam timetables to the National stay-aways, which fell in the middle of the scheduled dates. The NIAA team and schools worked hard to accommodate most of the candidates and Kevin Hanssen, together with the Speech and Drama Committee members, stepped in to adjudicate, so that students who had worked so hard were still able to perform.

The Festival is a happy time when so many young, talented children have the opportunity to work hard and challenge themselves to achieve a good performance. For most, this is a great outlet for creative energy and artistic expression. It is challenging and rewarding and teaches the important lesson that hard work and discipline combined with creative passion can build confidence in our young children, equipping them with extraordinary life skills and bring-ing joy and smiles to all, both on stage and off.

Building a Character: The students learned how to create different characters by using their bodies.

NIAA June Workshop

Physical Theatre

Chipo Chikara ran a very enjoyable NIAA workshop at Reps Theatre in June for 20 students from various schools, which examined:

Images and Imagination: How our physical bodies change and respond when we apply an image to our work. This helped the students recognise the power of their own images and imagination, and changes in physicality when applying

images;

and....

CUP

The Choral Speaking Cup

The Deloitte Choral Speaking Cup

Margaret Grace Poetry Cup

Chisipite Caritas Cup

Imaginatio Cup

Centenary Cup

The Sarah Jane Munn Trophy

The Hong Kong Plate

The Kilalea Cup

The Tomlinson Quaich

NIAA Duologue Cup

The Wallbridge Shakespeare Award

Leandra Feneysey Cup

The Ann Warr News-reading Trophy

Ena Stone Mime Cup

The Over the Edge Cup

The Anne Levy Cup

The Kathy Norman Trophy

The Bath Cup

The Institute Cup

The Rosemary Neill Trophy

The Speech Teachers' Cup

Speech and Drama Festival 2016 Award WinnersSpeech and Drama Festival 2016 Award WinnersSCHOOLLilfordia School

Lilfordia School

Mubeena Ebrahim

Hillcrest College

Ruth Rodgers Studio

Midlands Christian College

Petra High

Kyle Prep

Prince Edward School

Chisipite Senior School

Ariel School

Hellenic Academy

Midlands Christian College

Arundel School

Midlands Christian School

Chisipite Senior School

Midlands Christian College

Midlands Christian School

Kyle College

Chisipite Senior School

CATEGORYBest Item in Choral Speaking

Most Points in Choral Speaking

Best Item of Junior Poetry

Best Item of Senior Poetry

Best Item of Prose

Best Recital

Most Creative Group

Best Item of Public Speaking

Best Play/ Playlet/ Dramatic Excerpt

Best Monologue - any age

Best Duologue - any age

Best Shakespearean Item

Best Improvisation

Best News Reading Item

Best Mime

Best Original Item

Best Junior Item

Best Intermediate Item

Best Senior Section Item

Best Junior All-Rounder

Best Intermediate All-Rounder

Best Senior All-Rounder

NAMEGrade 4

Fawwaaz Materia

Nesta Kupemba

Meneka De Silva

Yada College

Hellenic International Academy

Tsitsi Mavhaire

Petra Quads

Saamia Surtee

Wishmore Chindingo &

Takuramunashe Mutungira

Sophie O'Donoghue

Cordelia Tugwete

Phyllis Mugadza

The Cuppy Cakes

Amy Bolt & N Namachemo

Andile Sibanda & Nigel Sibanda

Kelly Midlane

The Cuppy Cakes

Andile Sibanda

Tadiwa Goronga

Sophie O'Donoghue

4

numerous visitors. The NIAA comment book was full of praise for our young artists, 'very creative', ‘some wonderful talent', 'Amazing', to mention just a few.

Our thanks to St Christopher's School for once again allowing us the use of their classrooms for receiving, sorting and adjudicating the artwork. Sincere appreciation to our hardworking adjudicators, who processed all entries in the space of one week: Wayne Stutchbury, Marlene Bornman, Sarah Bentley and Caroline Colahan, all artists and teachers themselves. Well done also to all our volunteers for assisting so

energetically throughout the festival.

This year's top prizewinners were Sasha Gemmill from Hellenic Academy in the senior section, and Charnel Sithole of Bishopslea for the junior division. We look forward to discovering even more

INNSCORAfrica Limited

Visual Arts Festival 2016 Prize Winners

Junior SchoolsCategory 0 Grade 0

Luyanda Moyo St Thomas Aquinas

Grade 0 Stepping Stones

Montessori AND

ECD Class Bishopslea School

Category 1 Grade 1

Rain Solomon Gateway Primary

Grade 1C St Michael's Prep

Category 2 Grade 2

Yahyaa Ismail St John's Prep

Grade 2 H Bishopslea School

Category 3 Grade 3

Nokutenda Madzikature

Bishopslea AND

Keira Findlay Gateway Primary AND

Kalla Viljoen Gateway Primary

Grade 3 St John's Prep

Category 4 Grade 4

Gerasimos Diakouris Hellenic Primary

AND Julie Anne Moore Springvale House

Grade 4 Step Ahead

Category 5 Grade 5

Mikayla Burl Ruzawi

Grade 5 St John's Prep

Category 6 Grade 6

Charnel Sithole Bishopslea School

Category 7 Grade 7

Julie Johnson Hellenic Primary AND

Huntley Masterson St John's Prep

Best Junior Artist - Charnel Sithole, Bishopslea

Senior SchoolsCategory 8 Form I

D Chinyani St George's College

One Gregory Hellenic Academy

Category 9 Form 2

N Makotore St George's College AND

Sasha Gemmill Hellenic Academy

Category 10 Form 3

Tahira Moosa Chisipite Senior

Category 11 Form 4

Byron Rusch St John's College

Category 12 Form 6

Wang Xiangyi Gateway High

Best Senior Artist - Sasha Gemmill Hellenic Academy

whose work is on the front cover.

The visual arts festival 2016 was brief but intense, with entries all being delivered and checked in on a single day. The standard of work was exceptionally high this year – both technically and conceptually inspiring, and the subject matter and use of materials wide ranging.

Following the inspiring theme 'The World Around Us', a total of 2175 entries was submitted. There were 1932 pieces in the junior and 243 in the senior categories. We hope to see more in the senior category next year. 143 Honours and 544 First Grades were awarded, a total of almost 700, all included in the exhibition.

Entries came from 11 senior and 57 primary schools, including several new participants.

Our thanks to Hartmann House for availing us of the use of their splendid Jubilee Hall as an exhibition space. The event was excitingly kicked off by the prize-giving on 24 September, and remained open to the public Buntil the following Friday. The inspiring, uplifting, innovative and vibrant exhibition was well appreciated by the

The Visual Arts Festival has a new Festival Director! After operating without a substantive FD for the past two years, we are delighted that Vanessa Hounsell has agreed to join us for 2017, and is already reviewing the syllabus and making suggestions to improve the planning.

Vanessa, a leading artist and former Chisipite High School art teacher, now runs her own art school for both children and adults, from her studio. She is as passionate about contemporary, modern art as much as she values established traditions. Vanessa is also working to put art therapy on the map in Zimbabwe as the highly considered discipline that it is worldwide. She has run workshops for HIFA, and more recently been asked to run workshops for The Friends of the Gallery. Her previous role as a professional illustrator, and current creative and contemporary photography also inform her fine art practice.

Visual Arts

Seconds 1 197Thirds 267

Honours 143Firsts 544

Stats 2016

The Visual Arts –Leaping Into The Future

exciting talent in 2017.

5

The 2016 Literary festival was wonderfully inspiring! It attracted 2289 entries from 44 junior schools and 23 senior schools. Whilst the numbers are down from last year, a record 2649 entries, it continues to be the festival which attracts the largest number of entries. This year saw the participation of a number of new schools; namely, Cornerstone Primary School from Bindura, St. Rupert Mayers High School from Chinoyi and Sacred Heart High School from Banket. It is good to know that our reach is still growing.

A team of 30 markers undertook the marking exercise, most of whom were drawn from the formal schooling sector. They did a sterling job in getting all scripts marked by the end of August.

Our annual Award Ceremony was held at Hartmann House on 24 September, where our national award winners for both Literary and Visual Arts received their prizes for outstanding effort. As always, it was a prestigious affair. Our guest of honour was Mrs Colletta Beni - Head of Wealth Management at CBZ Bank; CBZ being the sponsor of the Literary festival. Also in attendance was Mrs Priti da Silva on behalf of Innscor, who sponsor the Visual Arts Festival.

The NIAA is grateful for the continued sponsorship

Grade 2 Prose Rudo Mahachi Penhalonga Correspondence

Grade 3 Prose Alexia Pitcher Chisipite Junior AND

Isabella Philp Hellenic Primary

Grade 4 Prose Tavongashe Sagombo Gateway Primary

Poetry Tessa Games Hellenic Primary

Grade 5 Prose Henry Peech Hellenic Primary

Poetry Jessica Stutchbury Chisipite Junior

Grade 6 Prose Adelaide Sithole Mvurachena Primary

Poetry Ayush Joshi St John's Prep

Grade 7 Prose Daniel Erasmus St John's Prep

Poetry Anotida Nhondova Murray McDougall

Overall Poetry Award for best performing junior school: LilfordiaForm I Prose James Wakefield St John's College

Poetry Serene Adams Lomagundi College

Form 2 Prose Megan Norman Girl's College

Poetry Charlene Mufandaidza Girl's College

Form 3 Prose Sylvia Mugwagwa Arundel

Poetry Simbarashe Mawere St Ignatius College

Form 4 Prose Alisha Mangabhai Petra High

Poetry Sandile Nxumalo Falcon AND

Leah Berger Girl's College

Form 6 Prose Lyndsey England Chisipite Senior School

Poetry Rory Tsapayi St John's College

Best Junior Writer: Isabella Philp Hellenic Primary Best Senior Writer: Lyndsey England Chisipite Senior

Literary Festival 2016 Prize Winners

2016 - A Truly Inspiring Literary Festival

by these two institutions, despite the difficult economic climate.

This year's top prizewinners were Lyndsey England of Chisipite Senior School in the senior section and Isabella Philp of Hellenic Primary in the junior section. Both won trophies for outstanding prose entries. The competition for these top awards was fierce as there were so many brilliant entries. One other outstanding

entry, which you will find on the front page of this annual newsletter, was a poem by Serene Adams (Form One) of Lomagundi College, which is a fitting tribute to a marvellous festival.

6

Get Involved! have lots of fun

and support the Arts!All Volunteers WelcomeThe NIAA is always looking for more willing

volunteers! If you’d like to join in and help with any of our festivals, please call us!

The performing festivals: Vocal and Instrumental and Speech and Drama

need four assistants for each Session: Mornings 8.30am – 1pm

Afternoons 2 – 4.30pm approximately.Duties:

Door: Issuing tickets to the general public.

Check-in: Booking candidates in for their performance.

Adjudicator's Assistant: Sit next to the adjudicator to assist with paper work.

Announcer: Announce each candidate before their performance.

Be part of the action - and contribute to nurturing the arts in our country, now and in the future.

1 0 0 y e a r s o n. .building the arts

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLIED ARTS

ESTABLISHED 1913

FOR SALE - Beautiful NIAA Birthday Calendars - Only $5!Available at the NIAA office.

N I A A COMMITTEE 2017

COMMITTEE MEMBERSTracey Doorman, Jamie McLaren, Tim Middleton, Colbert Mpofu,

Alice Palmer, Roger Stringer, Zane Lucas

FESTIVAL DIRECTORSNicky Hammond – Vocal & InstrumentalGavin Peter – Speech & DramaBeverley Abrahams – LiteraryVanessa Hounsell - Visual Arts

Richard Wilde, Chairman

Alison Garrard, Treasurer

Kathy Norman, Secretary

Flat A5, Northern Heights,

5 Josiah Tongogara Avenue,

Corner Harare Street, Harare.

Office Hours 9 am – 12.30 pm

(during term time).

Tel: 04 702989

(with answer phone).

Fax/Tel: 250921.

Email: niaa@yoafrica.com

Website: www.niaazim.co.zw

Facebook Group:

National Institute of Allied Arts

Zimbabwe (NIAA)

The N I A A THANKS:Our Generous Sponsors

Mashonaland Holdings LimitedThe British Council

Deloitte. CBZ Bank Limited

Innscor Africa LimitedOur Affiliates

Members of the Association of Trust Schools and other schools

Our Venues Harare

Prince Edward School Harare International School

Gateway High School Twin Rivers SchoolHartmann House

Dance Trust of ZimbabweGweru

Midlands Christian CollegeBulawayo

Robert Sibson HallOur Volunteers

who generously give so much of their time to help with the running of the performing festivals and the administration involved in the Literary and Visual Arts Festivals.

Over a century ago, our founders came together to establish The Society for the Advancement of Music and Art in Bulawayo, now known as The National Institute of Allied Arts (NIAA), an organisation aimed at nurturing, maintaining and growing all art forms over generations to come.

Following the first one day festival in May 1913, the NIAA has stewarded, nurtured and expanded its orbit, a beautiful and ever-growing ripple effect resulting in the well-oiled, lively and creative hub it is today. Through the NIAA provision of skills, structures and spaces, generations of young people have fine-tuned their artistic skills, discovered their talents, found their focus and developed the discipline needed to become tomorrow's artists.

The Institute's four annual events, namely The Vocal and Instrumental Eisteddfod in March, the Speech & Drama, Literary and Visual Arts festivals in June and July, are pivotal for the moulding of tomorrow's up-and-coming artists by devoted teachers. Annual achievements through the NIAA's certificates, awards and trophies bring pleasure, pride and a measure of artistic progress through the years. Each festival culminates in a concert or exhibition of outstanding entries, providing the public with the opportunity to sample and enjoy these art forms.