orchestraThe American Prize in Vocal Performance (Opera/Operetta), 2012
Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award

BACKGROUND:

The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award, honors the memory of the greatest Wagnerian baritone of his age, Friedrich Schorr, who commanded the operatic stage between the world wars, and his wife, Virginia Schorr, who taught studio voice at the Manhattan School of Music and the Hartt School of Music for nearly fifty years. The Prize recognizes and rewards the best performances by classically trained vocalists in America in 2011—2012, based on submitted recordings.



For more about Friedrich and Virginia Schorr and the long history of the Friedrich Schorr Memorial Performance Prize in Voice, click here.

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 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.

CHICAGO OPERA AWARD:

In 2012, in addition to the national competitions listed here, three $500 prizes will be awarded as performance fees to opera soloists selected to appear under Maestro David Katz's baton in concert with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. For more information about this additional opportunity, which is limited to applicants in the professional and college/university divisions, please download the application.


To learn about the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra and chorus, click here.

DOWNLOAD OPERA/OPERETTA APPLICATION HERE (PDF)

includes additional information about the Chicago Opera Award


 POSTMARK DEADLINE for application(s): Monday, January 23, 2012

OVERVIEW:
The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award is offered to men and women in two divisions: opera/operetta, and art song, with categories based on education and experience. There are no age limits. Applications may be made by the vocalists themselves, by teachers, colleagues, or other knowledgeable individuals. Singers may apply in the opera/operetta division, the art song division, or both.

In the Opera/Operetta division, the categories are:
    1. professional (the vocalist has paid employment as a singer or singing teacher)
    2. college/university—pre-professional (the vocalist is seriously pursuing a professional career as a singer)
    3. amateur/community (the vocalist pursues music as a avocation)
    4. gifted high-school-age vocalist

ELIGIBILITY:
The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates and territories. All application fees must be remitted in U.S. funds.

APPLICATION:
Download the two—page application form for The American Prize in Vocal Performance, Opera/Operetta division. Select the category which best identifies the applicant.
    1. Send the completed application form by the deadline date.
    2. Include two identical recordings of the applicant in performance, with the selections clearly indicated.
    3. Be sure to sign the form and include the application fee.
    4. Be sure to also email the required information.
    5. If you are interested in the Chicago Opera Award, please read the second page of the PDF application carefully and         provide the additional requested information along with your application for The American Prize.

The application fee is $35 per application. Make checks payable to HCMT/The American Prize. Application fees are nonrefundable. No incomplete applications will be accepted.

REQUIREMENTS for the RECORDING:

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 location nor the repertoire of any qualified individual limits eligibility, provided the general guidelines listed below have been met. Excellence within categories is the primary criteria for the selection of finalists and winners.

The American Prize in Vocal Performance (opera/operetta division): no fewer than three and no more than 5 arias from the standard repertoire, sung in the original language, appropriate for the age, range and vocal “fach” (voice type) of the applicant. At least one aria on the recording must be in the English language originally (not a translation.) You must perform with a live accompanist. No unaccompanied performances, nor is the use of pre-recorded or computer generated accompaniments permissible. You may submit tapes from staged opera/operetta performances, if properly edited. Performers and works must be clearly identified on the disc, cover or video box. We prefer a DVD or VHS video of the applicant, but will accept CD audio recordings if no other format is available. No cassette tapes or other electronic media. There are no other restrictions. No materials will be returned.

If you are also interested in the Chicago Opera Award, which is a separate opportunity, additional materials must be submitted. Please refer to the second page of the application form for this information.


PUBLISHED TIMELINE for this competition:

1. Deadline for postmark of applications: January 23, 2012. Applications will be acknowledged by email.
2. Announcement of semi-finalists: begins week of March 5, 2012
3. Announcement of finalists: begins week of April 16, 2012
4. Announcement of winners: begins week of May 21, 2012