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.)

If you do not have management, Competitions can be an excellent way to introduce yourself to the casting powers in opera houses. They may not otherwise hear auditions from unmanaged singers, but if they hear you in a competition, they could hire you. !!! See which casting directors of what operas are on the juries of international competitions - this could be an excellent way to audition for a BUNCH of casting people all at once.

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 or email 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. This has not been updated in over 5 years, so there are many competitions that no longer exist on this list and there are NEW competitions out there - please check them out on MusicalAmerica.com, on the many websites that have now sprung up for young artists, ClassicalSinger.com etc... I don't have time to keep this list up to date, and there are other sites which do it better! All the dates seen below are from bygone years, so check out their websites for THIS YEAR'S competition!

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
 

LOTS MORE TO COME - - If you can't wait for others or above addresses, look in the back of MUSICAL AMERICA at your music library, and fax off for competition applications and rules!!!!

last updated January 29, 2003 to the best of my abilities!

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