Auditions & Vocal Competition

All applications must be submitted through YAP Tracker. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, January 16, 2024: Application closes.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024: Semi-Finalists notified.

Monday, March 18, 2024: Semi-Finalist video recordings due. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2024: Finalists notified. 

Sunday, May 5, 2024: Finals in Annapolis, MD (please note, you must be available to attend the in-person final round in Annapolis).

PRIZES

Prizes totaling more than $15,000 will be awarded. All finalists will receive prize money.

ELIGIBILITY

The Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition is open to all singers aged 20-35 (as of the Finals on May 5, 2024), who are permanent residents of the United States, and are not currently, previously, or anticipated to be under professional management. Previous First Prize winners of the Vocal Competition are ineligible to compete.

REQUIREMENTS

Preliminary Virtual Round: The Preliminary round will be a ‘blind’ review, in which Applicants will be identified only by application number and voice type. This round is by submission of 3 arias (MP3/4 audio files only), with piano accompaniment only. Arias should represent a variety of languages and styles, and should include at least one selection in English. Arias should be sung in their original key and their original language. Each aria must be unedited, without recording enhancements, and recorded in one “take.”

Semi-Final Virtual Round: Applicants will submit 3 arias (these can be the same repertoire as the preliminary round or different repertoire), again with piano accompaniment only, but this time in video format [MP4/MOV video files only]. Each aria must be unedited, without recording enhancements, and recorded in one “take.” Dress for the Semi-Final round is audition attire.

Final In-Person Round: The Final round will be held in-person on May 5, 2023 in Annapolis, Maryland. Applicants will submit a list of 5 arias for this round. Singers may select their first aria and the judges will select the second aria. Repertoire for this round need not be the same as for the Preliminary and Semi-Final rounds. Arias should represent a variety of languages and styles, and should include at least one selection in English. Arias should be sung in their original key and their original language. The official pianist for the Competition will play. The Finals round will be a public event and Finalists must be available to appear in-person for the Finals. Dress for the Final round is formal attire. At the conclusion of the Competition, Finalists will attend a brief donor reception and will have the opportunity to receive feedback from the panel of judges.

A travel stipend of $150 and patron-hosted housing will be available to all finalists. 

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

As we move to provide the safest environment for our singers, staff and patrons, the Annapolis Opera Company (AOC) has instituted proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for all cast and crew members. This is in alignment with recommendations from the CDC, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Teamsters and AMPTP, and others within the performing arts industry and beyond. The AOC will be following AGMA protocols and masking will be required during all rehearsals. 

All Finalists will be required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (a photo of your vaccination card) prior to arrival in Annapolis. The AOC will not keep any permanent images in our files, only that we verified that you have provided proof of vaccination. Failure to adhere to vaccination requirements will result in disqualification from the Competition.

ONLINE APPLICATION

All applications must be submitted through YAP Tracker. 

When completing the online application form, you must submit the following documents. Please make sure that your name appears as part of each file that you upload.

-Current resume, including professional experience (PDF only). *Please note that for the Preliminary round, judges will not see this.

-Professional headshot or recent photo (JPG/PNG only). *Please note that for the Preliminary round, judges will not see this.

-3 arias, labeled with your name and aria title (MP3/4 only). Arias should be performed with piano accompaniment only, represent a variety of languages and styles, and should include at least one selection in English. Arias should be sung in their original key and original language and must be unedited, without recording enhancements, and recorded in one “take.”

Please contact Victoria Mangum at vmangum@annapolisopera.org with any questions regarding this application. No phone calls, please. For technical help, please contact help@yaptracker.com.

All applications must be submitted through YAP Tracker.