This year, speech and drama will lead off almost five weeks of competition and if the record entries received last year are any indication, the Eisteddfod committee are in for a busy time managing entries in the next few weeks.

The competition begins on August 3 with speech and drama running until August 9.

There is a slight overlap with dance sections following from August 8 - 23, with the traditional schools’ day to be held on August 14 at the Orange Function Centre.

The popular group dance days will be held at Orange Civic Theatre on August 15, and 16.

In 2015, the vocal and instrumental sections will complete the competition, which will start on August 23 and end on September 4.

The school choirs’ date for all those mums and dads who need to get time off work to see their children perform, is August 27 and 28.

The band day, which is traditionally held at the Orange Function Centre will be held on September 4.

Although familiar faces form the line-up for the committee this year, there has been a change of leadership.

After a successful few years, Margaret Williams is stepping aside from the role of president and Helen Croke, who has had a long involvement with the Eisteddfod Society, is heading up the organisation this year.

“We have such a wonderful group of volunteers on the committee and it is a pleasure working with them,” Mrs Croke said.

Mrs Croke said as the Eisteddfod approaches the call will again go out for volunteers to help with the running of the five-week event.

“We just couldn’t do it without the support of our volunteers,” she said.

To download the syllabus for each performance genre go to the City of Orange Eisteddfod Society Inc website.