Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition 2008 The Thirtieth Annual Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition Semi-Final Competition: Saturday, May 17, 2008 Final Competition: Sunday, May 18, 2008 Birmingham, Alabama First Prize... $5,000 2nd Prize... $3,500 3rd Prize... $2,500 4th Prize... $2,000 5th Prize... $1,500 6th Prize... $1,000 Audience Favorite Prize... $500 COMPETITION RULES 1. The Competition is open to singers who are current resident citizens of the United States of America. 2. All contestants must be 21 to 35 years of age as of May 17, 2008 (i.e., born on or before May 17, 1987 and on or after May 17, 1973) 3. A non-refundable application fee of $35 is required of all contestants. 4. The Application Deadline is Friday, April 4, 2008 at 5:00 PM Central Time. PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance of applications will stop on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 5:00 PM Central Time, regardless of postmark date. The application fee and all other materials will be returned to the entrant if received after that time. 5. Incomplete applications will be returned. The application fee and all other materials will be returned to the entrant to complete. 6. All applications must be sent to: Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition 1807 3 rd Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203-3101 7. All entrants will be given consideration for casting in future Opera Birmingham productions, as well as productions of the companies represented by the panel of judges.
8. All entrants must complete the application below and send it to the address indicated along with: A. A professional résumé B. A recent photo, professional or snapshot, at least 4 inches by 6 inches C. Proof of age. Examples: a copy of driver s license or birth certificate D. Payment of $35 in the form of A check or money order made payable to Opera Birmingham Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, CVV code, expiration date and signature. 9. Entrants must be prepared to sing four arias of contrasting style. A. One aria in Italian B. One aria in English C. One aria in either French or German D. One aria in any language of the singer s choosing. 10. All arias must be sung in the original key. 11. Translations from another language into English are NOT recommended for the English selection. 12. There must be no changes to the four selections after the application is submitted. 13. Entrants must submit a Compact Disc (CD) recording of 2 (two) arias from the four offerings. Accompaniment must by be piano only. CDs containing more than 2 arias or with orchestra accompaniment will not be accepted. Replacements will be allowed if Opera Birmingham receives them before the deadline on April 4, 2008 at 5:00 PM. Otherwise, the application will be deemed incomplete. See rule 5. 14. A panel will review the CD entries and select 24 semi-finalists. Opera Birmingham will notify the semi-finalists by April 14, 2008. 15. Semi-finalists must provide sheet music for all four required arias by April 28, 2008 to Opera Birmingham. 16. Opera Birmingham will provide accompanists for the semifinal competition. Contestants may bring their own accompanists. 17. Semifinalists will have a private rehearsal room with a piano and accompanist for a 10-minute rehearsal prior to their assigned competition time. 18. Semifinalists who are late for their assigned competition time will be disqualified and not allowed to compete. 19. Opera Birmingham will choose two arias for the finalists to sing from the list of four submitted. 20. Opera Birmingham will set the order of singers for the finals. 21. Opera Birmingham will provide the accompanist for the final competition. Opera Birmingham will provide practice sessions for each of the six finalists prior to the finals. 22. Winners of the first prize in prior Opera Birmingham Competitions are ineligible for further competition. 23. Opera Birmingham reserves the right to disqualify contestants for any misrepresentation on their applications. 24. For additional information, please call the Opera Birmingham office at (205) 322 6737. Opera Birmingham office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 PM Central Time.
Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition 2008 Application DEADLINE: FRIDAY, April 4, 2008, 5:00 PM Central Time. Name Current Residence Address City State Zip Permanent Mailing Address (If different from above) City State Zip Date of Birth (May 17, 1973 through May 17, 1987) E-Mail Address @ Telephone Number(s) Emergency Contact Name and Telephone Number(s)
Voice Category (check one): Soprano Mezzo-soprano Countertenor Tenor Baritone Bass List the four required Arias that you will prepare to sing. Language Aria Title From Opera Composer 1. Italian 2. English 3. French or German 4. Amount enclosed: $35.00 Check Money Order Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Card Number Expiration Date CVV Security Code Name on Card By this signature I certify that all the above information is true and correct. Contestant Signature Printed Contestant Name Date of Signature
Competition Schedule and Deadlines: Date Event Where Who Application Entrants Deadline Friday, 4/4/08 at 5:00 PM CT Monday, 4/14/08 Monday, 4/28/08 Friday, 5/16/08 Saturday, 5/17/08 Saturday evening or Sunday morning Sunday, 5/18/08 Notify 24 Semifinalists Provide sheet music to Opera Birmingham Welcome party for semi-finalists 10 minute performances for Judges Opera Birmingham Office Via USPS and/or telephone and/or email Via USPS or other carrier (no faxes or email) Party room atop Red Mountain in Birmingham University of Alabama in Birmingham Hulsey Recital Opera Birmingham Staff Semifinalists Semifinalists and guests, Judges, Birmingham Opera Guild, Opera Birmingham Board of Trustees and Staff Semifinalists and guests, accompanists, judges, general public Hall Practice Sessions TBD Six Finalists and Opera Birmingham Accompanist Final Competition Vestavia Hills Country Club Six Finalists, Judges, Opera lovers Send application, required materials and payment to: Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition 2008 Attn: Vocal Comp. Chairman 1807 Third Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203.
Accomplishments of Some of Our Recent Finalists Meredith Hansen, soprano, 2007, First Place Winner Finalist, Francisco Vinas Singing Competition in Barcelona; Antonia in Les Contes d Hoffmann with Longwood Opera. Ebony Preston Oya, soprano, 2006, First Place Winner Featured Soloist, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Reflect and Rejoice: A Community Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Corey McKern, Baritone, 2005 First Place Winner (Opera Birmingham, Shreveport Opera and Mobile Opera) La bohème and The Barber of Seville with Opera Birmingham, Doctor Miracle, Santa Fe Opera; I Pagliacci with Arizona Opera and Central City Opera; Agrippina with Santa Fe Opera; Die Zauberflote with Nevada Opera; Faust with Shreveport Opera; La boheme with Opera Grand Rapids. Leah Hunt, soprano, 2002 First Place Winner Lucia di Lammermoor, Palm Beach Opera; Santa Fe Opera Apprentice; Florida Grand Opera Garret Sorenson, tenor, 2001 First Place Winner Metropolitan Opera debut 2002; Santa Fe Opera Apprentice. Mark Whatley, baritone, 2001 Finalist Metropolitan Opera National Winner; Glimmerglass; Baron, La Traviata, Escamillo, Carmen, Opera Birmingham. Paul Saik, tenor, 2000 First Place Winner Parpignol, La bohème; Remendado, Carmen Opera Birmingham; Santa Fe Opera Apprentice; Des Moines Metro Opera; Pensacola Opera; Independent concert artist.