BUILDING A TRADITION OF ADVANCED VOCAL EDUCATION
Now entering its 16th year, the Collegiate Vocal Competition is an opportunity for college level vocal students to compete for cash prizes and feedback from judges working in the professional opera world. Opera Grand Rapids strives to give students proper and helpful adjudication by bringing world-class professionals into its adjudication process in order to give contestants access to meaningful instruction and critique.
In previous years, the competition was limited to West Michigan and its immediate surrounding areas. However, this year the competition is open to non-consortium students from all over the country for significantly increased cash prizes and benefits.
Special thanks to the members of our Collegiate Consortium for their support of this competition.
For more information on how to get your institution involved, please contact Opera Grand Rapids Development Director, Angela Freier, at afreier@operagr.org or 616-451-2741.
COMPETITION FINAL CONCERT
The final round judging will take place in a public concert. Audience members will be able to vote for their favorite performer to win the Friends of the Opera Award.
March 28, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Betty Van Andel Opera Center | 1320 East Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
TICKETS $10 general admission
Students $5 must present valid student I.D.
Available by calling the Box Office: 616.451.2741
First Place
$10,000
Consideration for a supporting or featured role in an upcoming OGR Grand Opera production.
Second Place
$5,000
Consideration for a supporting role in an upcoming OGR Grand Opera production and an opportunity to cover a major role during the Grand Opera season with access to all rehearsals.
Third Place
$2,500
Offer to understudy a role in an OGR production and an invitation to understudy a major or supporting role in an OGR Grand Opera production.
Friends of the Opera Award
$1,000
2019/20 COMPETITION TIMELINE
2020 Competition Guidelines
• Applications will be submitted online through ACCEPTD
• No Entry Fee for Students who attend a Collegiate Consortium Member School ($170 Value!)
• A $30 processing fee for use of ACCEPTD will be charged for all applicants
• Finalists chosen must come to Grand Rapids to compete in-person at the Final Concert
• All finalists will be awarded a $500 stipend
• Final adjudication will be a ticketed event
ADJUDICATION
ROUND ONE
Applicants must apply via online application by Feb 1.
Each application will require a recording video (10 minute maximum), vocal resume and letter of interest explaining vocal experience and career goals.
First round judges will be kept anonymous
First round judges will review applicants independently
First round judges are based all over the United States and must not be affiliated with any colleges/universities in the consortium
Judges will be given standard criteria in order to rank applicants.
The top ten finalists will be invited to Grand Rapids for the final stage of competition.
COMPETITION FINAL
March 28, 2020 in Grand Rapids Michigan (ticketed, public event)
The ten finalists will perform one aria each
A panel of three judges will determine first, second and third places
Judges for the final competition may not be adjudicators in the first round of review or be affiliated with any consortium member.
The Friends of the Opera Award will be determined by audience vote.