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YOUNG ARTIST
VOCAL COMPETITION

Application Deadline April 7 

Guild Opera Company Announces the Randy Melson Scholarship Fund

Guild Opera Company has an interest in the development of young
classical singers, and would like to support their efforts to become
professional artists. To that end, we are pleased to announce the RANDY
MELSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND in honor of Randy Melson and her
many years of service and support to young singers in Southern California.
Young adult singers will be encouraged to audition for awards to be
applied toward their vocal development.

$ 2,700 in Total Prize Money 

Emerging Artist Division (ages 24-28)
Scholar Artist Division (ages 18-23)

Application Deadline April 7, 2024

Final Competition Concert April 20, 2024

INFORMATION
Rules & Regulations

IMPORTANT DATES 

Application Deadline Sunday April 7, 2024
Final Concert Saturday April 20, 2024

RESTRICTIONS

1) Competition is open to applicants ages 18 - 28. Your birthdate must fall on or between April 21, 1995 to April 7, 2006.
2) Singers must be present for the final competition and concert: Saturday April 20, 2024
3) Auditions are open to citizens and lawful residents of the United States. 

AGE LIMIT

28

 
APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED

Emerging Artists Category (age 24-28): Video recordings of three operatic arias in at least two languages (in original key and language).

 

Scholar Artists Category (age 18-23): Video recordings of two operatic arias or art songs in different languages. 

 

The pieces must be in at least two different languages. Operatic arias must be chosen from the standard regularly performed opera repertoire showing contrasting moods and styles. Oratorio arias are permitted. Arias must be memorized in the original language and key, and an operetta aria is acceptable for the German language. Art songs are acceptable for the Young Scholars Division. 

 

Videos must be no more than 1 year old from date of submission and cannot be edited for sound or video enhancement. No pianist will be provided for the pre-recorded Preliminary round. Videos can have pre-recorded, live, or self-played piano; digital or app-based piano tracks are acceptable.

 

 

Please submit the following items to guildopera@gmail.com

- Application form
- Videos (preferably as youtube links)
- Resume
- Headshot
- Copy of passport, birth certificate or driver's license

 

(There is no application fee.)


 

FINAL CONCERT INFORMATION

FINAL COMPETITION CONCERT LOCATION AND DATE
April 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Los Angeles, California
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENT

10 singers will be selected from the video submissions to participate in the final concert on April 20, 2024. Participants will be notified by April 13th if they have been selected for the finals. Each singer will sing two pieces. The final concert will be open to the public and the ten singers will be announced and publicized online. The first, second and third prize winners in the two categories will be announced at the end of the concert.
 

Emerging Artists (age 24-28): If chosen for the finals, Guild Opera Company will choose 2 operatic arias out of the 3 video submissions to be performed at the final concert. However if the applicant prefers to perform arias other than their video submissions this will also be accepted but should be indicated on their application form. 
 

Young Scholars (age 18-23): If chosen for the finals, each singer will perform the 2 pieces that were submitted on the application form. 

 

The arias must be in at least two different languages and chosen from the standard regularly performed opera repertoire showing contrasting moods and styles. Oratorio arias are permitted. Both arias must be memorized in the original language and key, and an operetta aria is acceptable for the German language. Art songs are acceptable for the Young Scholars Division. 

Pianist Provided

Yes

 

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Singers will also be considered for roles and covers in upcoming opera productions and concerts. 

 
COMPENSATION

Total prize money of $2700
 

Scholar Artists (age 18-23):

First prize: $750
Second prize: $250
Third prize: $150

Fourth prize: $100
Fifth prize: $100

Emerging Artists (age 24-28):

First prize: $750

Second prize: $250

Third prize: $150

Fourth prize: $100

Fifth prize: $100

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