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Convention '09 Chicago
Overview - Professional Track - University Competition - High School Competition - College Expo
High School Competition
Overview ~ FAQ ~ Rules ~ '08 Winners ~ '08 Review
Frequently Asked Questions
General Info ~ Repertoire ~ First Round ~ Winners ~ Next Rounds ~ Prizes ~ Expo
- The High School Vocal Competition ’09 begins with the First Round, held from November 1, 2008 - March 15, 2009. There are more than 30 different First Round locations held at various universities and conservatories throughout the nation. Go to the High School Competition HOME PAGE to view exact locations, dates, and addresses of all First Round locations. The competition schedule for each First Round, plus any specific events for students and parents, may also be found online.
- The competition registration fee of $75 covers all rounds of the Competition, plus the College Expo masterclasses & recruiting fair and other the finale concert and reception at the Classical Singer Convention '08.
- Students may participate at more than one First Round location, but they will need to pay the registration fee at each location.
- The competition time for each student can be found on the offical competition welcome letter. E-mail Becky Stoddard with any questions.
- Semiformal dress is appropriate for the competition. Students should not wear formal gowns or tuxedos.
- For general questions, email Information.
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- Singers are expected to come prepared with 3 contrasting selections (art songs or arias) of their choice, preferably one in a language other than English, at a level appropriate to their vocal development. At least one song must be in English; one of the selections may be a musical theater selection.
- Singers must bring at least one word-processed copy of their repertoire list with the singer's name, plus the song titles and composers of the three selections.
- Singers should have their music (originals are not required) prepared in a three-hole punch binder for the accompanist.
- An accompanist will be provided at all locations; however, participants may bring their own if they wish.
- Singers should have all repertoire memorized. They may still participate in the competition if they don’t, but they will be judged accordingly.
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- Singers must check in at the registration desk at least one hour prior to their scheduled competition time.
- The on-site representative — either from the host school or from Classical Singer — will direct students to the warm-up rooms. Warm-up rooms may or may not have an available piano, depending upon the host scho
- There will not be an opportunity to rehearse with the provided accompanist before you perform. However, all accompanists are experienced and very capable of sight-reading your repertoire.
- Singers should be ready to perform at least 20 minutes before their scheduled competition time. It is the singer’s responsibility to report back to the registration desk.
- The singer should stand outside the performance room until the on-site representative directs him or her to enter.
- After the on-site representative directs the singer to enter the performance room, the singer should hand the judges their repertoire list and proceed to the designated performing area.
- The singer will have a brief moment to go over the selection with the provided accompanist.
- When the singer is ready to perform, he or she should introduce themselves by giving their full name and the title of the first selection.
- The singer will present the first selection of their choice in its entirety.
- Judges will then ask to hear a second selection of their choice. They may listen to a portion of the selection or to the entire piece.
- Unless the host school otherwise specifies, the First Round is an open competition. However, space might be limited depending upon the size of each performance room.
- No personal video or audio recordings are allowed during the First, Second and Semifinal rounds.
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- At the end of the competition there will be a brief awards ceremony to announce the First, Second, and Third Place winners. A selected number of qualified singers will also be chosen as general finalists. These general finalists, plus the First, Second, and Third Place winners, advance to the Second Round.
- Students are encouraged but not required to stay until the end of the Competition. The names of the winners will be posted ONLINE within a week of the Competition.
- Comment sheets will either be given back to the students at the end of the day of the Competition or they will be mailed to the students.
- All winners must confirm their participation in the Second Round by calling the Classical Singer office at 1-877-515-9800 and speaking with Aubrey Werner. Winners may also confirm their participation by emailing Becky Stoddard.
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Second, Semifinal and Final Rounds
- All First, Second and Third Place winners, plus all general finalists, advance to the Second Round of the competition at the Westin O’Hare hotel in Chicago on Saturday, May 30, 2009.
- The rules and format of the Second and Semifinal Rounds are the same as the First Round. Approximately 30-40 singers will advance from the Second Round to the Semifinal Round, and then ten singers will advance to the Final Round.
- Students who advance to the next round are responsible for all their travel and accommodation expenses.
- Scholarships and cash prizes will be awarded after the judges’ deliberation of the Final Round. Some scholarships might be awared after the First Round.
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- More than $2,100,000 of scholarships will be offered to participants of the High School Vocal Competition. All singers who advance from the First Round are eligible to win a scholarship offer.
- Scholarships are given completely at the discretion of the school offering it. The majority of the scholarships will go to juniors or sophomores since schools are not allowed to offer scholarships to seniors after May 1.
- A list of schools offering scholarships can be found on the High School Competition HOME PAGE.
- $5,500 in cash prizes sponsored by Intermezzo Opera will be given to the national winners. Cash prizes are independent of any scholarship offers. Cash prizes include: $2,000 First Place prize, $1,000 Second Place, $750 Third Place, $500 Fourth Place, and $250 Fifth Place.
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- The The final rounds of the High School Competition will be held at the Classical Singer Convention in Chicago. The annual College Expo recruiting fair and masterclasseses, will also be held at the Convention on May 30-31.
- The College Expo recruiting fair is free for all competition participants, teachers, and parents. More than 60 of the nation’s top universities, colleges and conservatories will have exhibits and representatives available to talk with about undergraduate and graduate programs.
- The College Expo masterclasses includes a series of masterclasses and workshops presented by vocal faculty from top programs from across the country. These are also free for all High School Competition participants. Parents and teachers are welcome to attend the classes as well, space permitting.
- The masterclass topics and schedule will be posted online later in the fall.
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