Harrison Graham wins Shoalhaven Eisteddfod patrons’ award

And Mr Croot should know.

The founder of the Shoalhaven City Concert Band and the Shoalhaven City Youth Concert Band, bandmaster of Berry Silver Band and Nowra Town Band for several years was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community of Shoalhaven, particularly through the brass band movement.

Along with Alan Soden he is also patron of the annual Shoalhaven Eisteddfod.

This year Harrison took the the Patrons’ Award for brass and woodwind.

“Harrison was outstanding,” Mr Croot said.

“He’s an excellent player with a future.”

According to eisteddfod president George Windsor the 14-year-old was a “stand out.”

“Harrison was invited to perform at the Stars of the Eisteddfod concert where he would have been presented with his $200 prize, but unfortunately for us, he headed overseas for a family holiday, taking in some of the action at Wimbledon,” he said.

Harrison has been playing the trumpet for six years.

“I just like the sound of it, it’s loud,” joked the Bomaderry High year 9 student.

“Both my parents play the piano.”

He will put his prize money towards buying a new trumpet, which can cost up to $5000.

“I was disappointed to miss the concert but we won tickets to Wimbledon and it was too good a chance to pass up,” he said.

“I play tennis and got to see Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on Centre Court which was incredible.

“I would like to thank the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod and the Patrons for this award.”

Harrison, a pupil of Richard Hodge at Clefs n Keys Music - Nowra, also performs in the Shoalhaven City Concert Band and has been selected in the Illawarra and South East Region Performing Ensemble and will tour the region, visiting a number of public schools staging concerts.