Vocal Competition FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the competition?
Opera Birmingham’s Vocal Competition is open to all non-managed singers aged 21-35 (as of the finals on March 17, 2024) who are permanent residents of the United States. Previous first prize winners of the Vocal Competition and artists with professional management are ineligible to compete.
What materials are required for the application?
In order to be considered complete, all applicants must submit the following information through the online YAP Tracker application:
Professional resume, including performance experience and education information
Professional headshot or recent photo
Proof of age (examples include a copy of driver’s license or birth certificate)
Recordings of two arias with piano accompaniment only (see below for more information)
Is there a fee to apply to the Competition?
There is no application fee. Opera Birmingham has removed the application fee to expand the pool of applicants and try to remove barriers as part of our equity and diversity work.
What is the application deadline?
All applications must be submitted through the Resonance application portal by midnight on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. The Contestants will be notified of the screening decisions by February 17, 2024.
Are there any specific requirements for the competition arias?
Applicants should submit five (5) arias representing a variety of languages and contrasting styles. At least one aria should be in English. All arias should be presented in the original key and language.
Do contestants have to sing the same arias in the competition?
No, artists selected to participate in the competition will have the opportunity to change their aria selections.
When will contestants be notified if they are accepted to the competition?
All applicants will be notified of the results of the application screening by February 17, 2024.
How many contestants are chosen to participate in the competition?
Ten contestants will be chosen to come to Birmingham to compete in the competition.
Do the contestants have to pay for transportation, housing, etc., for the competition?
The contestants must provide their own transportation to Birmingham for the competition. Contestants must also provide housing and ground transportation during the competition weekend. Limited host housing will be available on a first-come, first-served basis (contestants will have the opportunity to request host housing once they are notified of acceptance to the competition).
Does the competition provide a pianist for contestants?
Yes, the competition will assign each contestant to one of our guest pianists for the competition. Rehearsal time will be scheduled for each artist to meet with their accompanist on Sunday morning before the finals concert.
Are guests allowed at the competition?
The finals concert is a ticketed event including cocktails and dinner. Details for guest attendance will be provided with acceptance materials.
What is the schedule for the competition?
The general schedule for the competition is listed below, however some times may change. Finalists will receive a detailed schedule when they are notified of being accepted into the competition.
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Artists arrive in Birmingham
6:00pm – Welcome Dinner
Sunday, March 17, 2024
10am - 1pm - Finalists rehearse with pianists
4pm - Finals Concert
Following the concert, there will be a cocktail reception while the judges deliberate
6:00pm (once judges have finalized decisions) - Awards Dinner