Since 2005, Opera Grand Rapids has hosted a consortium of colleges and universities. Students who attend schools in the OGR Collegiate Consortium benefit from free application to the VanderLaan Prize (formerly known as the Collegiate Vocal Competition), access to master classes and student recitals, and tickets to Opera Grand Rapids productions, among other benefits.
Schools derive benefit from Consortium membership by pooling funds with other area colleges and universities to facilitate group educational events at Opera Grand Rapids. Students are able to gain professional exposure and build community with their peers in the region at dozens of annual Consortium events.
Consortium schools must provide OGR with both a faculty point person or persons and a list of names and email addresses of all students in the voice area.
Contact
Austin McWilliams
amcwilliams@operagr.org
(616) 451-2741 ext. 6
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Level 2
Membership Price: $2,500
- Free application to the VanderLaan Prize
- Participation in two master classes with OGR artists in Grand Rapids
- Participation in two student recitals
- Participation in mock audition
- Admission to VanderLaan Prize Lectures
- Access to all rehearsals
- OGR Chorus auditions at your campus
- School recognition in all opera programs
- 20 free tickets to all Grand Operas
- 20 free tickets to all Contemporary & Explore Opera events
- Private coachings and career mentorship from OGR Artistic Staff
- Master class with an OGR artist at your campus
Level 1
Membership Price: $1,000
- Free application to the VanderLaan Prize
- Participation in two master classes with OGR artists in Grand Rapids
- Participation in two student recitals
- Participation in mock audition
- Admission to VanderLaan Prize Lectures
- Access to all rehearsals
- OGR Chorus auditions at your campus
- School recognition in all opera programs
- 20 free tickets to all Grand Operas
Average Market Price
Membership Value: $7,000
- Free application to the VanderLaan Prize $500 for 10 students
- Participation in two master classes with OGR artists in Grand Rapids $400 for 2 students
- Participation in two student recitals $250 for 2 students
- Participation in mock audition $1,000
- Admission to VanderLaan Prize Lectures $100 for 10 students
- Access to all rehearsals
- OGR Chorus auditions at your campus
- School recognition in all opera programs $750
- 20 free tickets to all Grand Operas $200
- 20 free tickets to all Contemporary & Explore Opera events $300
- Private coachings and career mentorship from OGR Artistic Staff $1,500
- Master class with an OGR artist at your campus $2,000
2022/23 CALENDAR
October
12-26
The Pirates of Penzance Rehearsals
Betty Van Andel Opera Center and East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center
Students and professors may coordinate with OGR to observe any facet of the rehearsal process, from the first music rehearsal to the final dress rehearsal.
October 26
4:00 pm
Master class with Andrew Potter, bass
East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center
One or two students from each Consortium school may sing for and receive feedback from our Pirate King. Anyone may attend.
October 28 7:30 PM
OR October 30 2:00 PM
The Pirates of Penzance Performance
East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center
Each school receives up to 20 free student tickets to attend either performance.
Week of
November 7
Chorus Auditions
On Your Campus
Schools have the opportunity to schedule Aida chorus auditions on their campus at any point this week. Schools must provide their own pianist.
Chorus rehearsals are Wednesday evenings beginning January 11, 2023.
November 14
7:30 pm
Student Recital: Living Composers
Betty Van Andel Opera Center
Participating students may prepare one or two pieces by living composers to sing for other Consortium schools. This unique performance opportunity allows students to network with their peers in the region. A light reception will follow.
January 30
7:30 pm
Mock Auditions
Betty Van Andel Opera Center
Participating students will prepare two pieces and “audition” for a professional gig in front of their peers. Public feedback will be given after each student so that all in attendance may learn from one another and prepare for future auditions.
February
6-15
The Last American Hammer Rehearsals
Betty Van Andel Opera Center and Irwin Seating Company
Students and professors may coordinate with OGR to observe any facet of the rehearsal process, from the first music rehearsal to the final dress rehearsal.
February 17 7:30 pm
OR February 29 2:00 pm
The Last American Hammer Performance
Irwin Seating Company
Milcom Negley is a one-man militia who rages against the tyranny of federal overreach. Milcom is a conspiracy theorist who believes an obscure, would-be Thirteenth amendment negates the authority of our government. The town’s only major source of employment—a hammer manufacturer—has shuttered, and Milcom is armed with “the last American hammer” to roll off the plant’s line.
Each Level 2 school receives up to 20 free student tickets to attend any performance.
February 20
11:59 pm
VanderLaan Prize Application Deadline
Virtual
All students who attend Consortium schools may apply for free to the VanderLaan Prize. Additionally, the first five students to apply from
each Consortium school are guaranteed to advance past prescreening, so they will all receive detailed feedback from three adjudicators.
The application opens October 3, 2022.
March 23
7:30 pm
Opera is Lit
CityFlatsHotel
… literature, that is! Local musicologist Camellia Adams curates an event of song and story on the theme of beloved English novelist Jane Austen. Opera Grand Rapids artists will explore music from her personal collection and popular music during her lifetime.
March 27
7:30 pm
Student Recital: Chanson
Betty Van Andel Opera Center
Participating students may prepare one or two French chansons (secular or sacred, from any era) to sing for other Consortium schools. This unique performance opportunity allows students to network with their peers in the region. A light reception will follow.
April 1
2:00 pm
VanderLaan Prize Lectures
Betty Van Andel Opera Center
The three adjudicators of the VanderLaan Prize each give short, interactive lectures on the opera industry today. Last year’s lecturers included a GRAMMY winner, artists featured in two Pulitzer Prize-winning works, and a MacArthur Fellow.
April 1
7:00 PM
VanderLaan Prize Concert
Betty Van Andel Opera Center
The top ten students from around the nation compete for one of the largest purses available for undergraduates.
Each Level 2 school receives up to 20 free student tickets.
April 13–
May 3
Aida Rehearsals
Betty Van Andel Opera Center and DeVos Performance Hall
Students and professors may coordinate with OGR to observe any facet of the rehearsal process, from the first music rehearsal to the final dress rehearsal.
April 13
4:00 pm
Master class with Jay Lesenger, director
Betty Van Andel Opera Center
One or two students from each Consortium school may sing for and receive feedback from Aida’s director. Anyone may attend.
May 5 7:30 pm
OR May 7 2:00 pm
Aida Performance
DeVos Performance Hall
Each school receives up to 20 free student tickets to attend either performance.
2022/23 MEMBERS
