Laura Claycomb's Young Artist Corner

Competitions

I have made a list of competitions that I know some information about, or that have web-sites. It's always important to remember your REASON to do a competition. Is is the money? (Then find out how much top prize is, not just the total amount of all prizes) Is it performance opportunity? (Then go for the competitions that give concerts or participation in operas as the prizes!) Is it for exposure to agents, opera companies, etc? (Then find out who is on the juries, what opera luminaries will be there.... it's usually advertised with the competition.) All of the above? (Then do one of the biggies!) Only go if you think you have a chance to win. It's too much an expediture of energy and money to prepare and go, if you just want to "try." Many offer free of charge housing - so make sure and ask - - and INSIST if you know it's available! They're supposedly in this to help young singers like you, although you wouldn't know it by some competition administrator's attitudes. Just because I don't have updated information about a competition doesn't mean that it is not being held this year. Write or call them with the contact numbers given and ask when the deadline is, and request an application. I would advise sending a fax to each one that interests you AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, asking them to send or fax you an application booklet. Some of the deadlines for them to receive the applications are right around the corner!

I have put a star next to the more prestigious competitions - that I know. Some of these left unmarked may be very prestigious: I can't know everything.

Prize money and fees are given in American dollars or Euros - which are very roughly equal, depending on the market. 1USD=1.17EUR as I write...

Some things you should know in your own research for competitions - words for "Competition" in different languages: wettbewerb, concurso, concorso, concours.... "voice": voix, stimme, voce, voz, canto.... "singer": Sänger, Chanteur, Cantante, Cantanti. I have not updated the links on this page in a long while, so if you come up with a dead link, please email me at and otherwise check for a new link for the competion via Google.
Google
 
I have started a sortable database of competitions. Click here to access in a new window.