The American Prize in Choral Performance, 2012

The American Prize in Choral Performance recognizes and rewards the best performances by choruses in America, based on submitted applications.

Winning choruses receive cash prizes and award certificates. Finalists receive certificates and written evaluations. Semi-finalists receive certificates. Finalists and winners are announced to local and national arts media and on our website, where winners are also profiled.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE (PDF)
POSTMARK DEADLINE for application(s): Thursday, March 15, 2012.

WHAT WINNERS WIN:
The American Prize is more than monetary. In addition to winners receiving cash prizes up to $500, depending on the year, the category and the number of entrants, all winners and finalists receive award certificates, as well as written, unbiased evaluations from our distinguished national panel of judges. Semi-finalists, finalists and winners are announced to national arts media and on our websites, where winners are profiled. Personalized press releases announcing your selection as a finalist, runner-up or winner are sent by us to local media and other contacts you provide as part of your application. Excerpts of winning performances will be posted to The American Prize channel on YouTube.

To see how previous laureates of The American Prize have used their placement in the competitions to promote their careers, please visit The American Prize Winning Links.

OVERVIEW:

The American Prize in Choral Performance is offered in as many as six categories, based on the membership in the ensemble, and on the number and quality of entries. Applications on behalf of choruses may be made by the conductor of the ensemble, its board members or other chorus leaders, such as faculty or administrators, by the musicians themselves, or, in the case of student ensembles, by parents. Only one application per ensemble per year may be submitted. Conductors may apply separately for conducting awards (see Conducting Prizes).

The six categories are:
    1. professional chorus (all musicians are paid)
    2. community or faith-based chorus (some musicians may be paid/some may be students)
    3. college/university chorus (mostly students/no paid vocalists—except soloists/faculty participation ok)
    4. secondary school chorus (mixed choir, women’s or men’s choir)
    5. youth chorus (musicians from more than one secondary or high school)
    6. children's chorus (choirs of unchanged voice from one or multiple schools, or faith-based organizations)

The American Prize defines a “chorus” to be (at minimum) a conducted ensemble of at least 8 vocalists, which may be a mixed ensemble, women’s chorus, men’s chorus, or a children's chorus.. (This definition is purposely broad to allow the largest number of potential contestants to be eligible. We seek to welcome the greatest variety of choirs found in schools, churches and communities throughout the country).

Choirs may sing unaccompanied or with any accompaniment appropriate to the repertoire they perform, including piano, organ, orchestra, wind ensemble or concert band, etc..

APPLICATION:
There is a single application form for The American Prize Choral Performance. Select the category which best identifies your ensemble.
   1. Send the completed application form by the deadline date.
   2. Include two identical recordings of the chorus in performance, with the conductor, ensemble and selections clearly indicated.
   3. Be sure to sign the form and include the application fee.
   4. Be sure to also email the required information.

The application fee is $65 per ensemble. Make checks payable to HCMT/The American Prize. Application fees are nonrefundable. No incomplete applications will be accepted.

REQUIREMENTS for the RECORDING:

The American Prize in Choral Performance: not less than thirty minutes of music, selected from a recent performance or performances. You need not prepare a special tape for The American Prize. A previous recording, whether of a concert made in front of an audience or one created in a recording session without an audience, is perfectly acceptable. Neither the size, make-up, location or repertoire of any qualified organization limits its eligibility. Excellence within categories is the primary criteria for the selection of finalists and winners. Performers and works must be clearly identified on the disc, cover or video box. There are no other restrictions. We accept CD, DVD or VHS recordings only. No cassette tapes or other electronic media. The judging panel will listen from the beginning of the recording unless you request otherwise. No materials will be returned.

If applying for both the ensemble prize and the conducting prize, please note that the requirements for the recording in the conducting category are different from those listed above. (See Conducting Prizes.)

PUBLISHED TIMELINE for this competition:

1. Deadline for postmark of applications: March 15, 2012. The application will be acknowledged by email.
2. Announcement of semi-finalists begins: week of May 14, 2012
3. Announcement of finalists begins: week of June 18, 2012
4. Announcement of winners begins: week of July 30, 2012