Vocal Competition

47th ANNUAL COMPETITION FOR SINGERS

The competition will be held live in cooperation with Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, NY

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Performing Arts Building at Onondaga Community College

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Submit by Saturday, October 21, 2023.

Applicants will be contacted via email by October 31 to confirm their participation and given further instructions.

AWARDS

Category A (ages 17-21)
Neva Pilgrim Award: $500
Opera Club of Syracuse Award: $200 | in memory of Bea & Irving Solomon

Category B (ages 22-27)
Helen Boatwright Award: $1,000
Phyllis Bryn-Julson Award: $500

Other Distinguished Prizes
David Ross American Song Prize: $500
The David Ross American Song Prize is given for the performance of an original song by an African-American composer. Click here for the list of eligible songs.
Ernst Bacon American Song Prize: $500
(Visit www.songofamerica.net for American song ideas.)
The Bacon prize for best performance of an American song is awarded to those who have a Bacon song in their competition repertoire. Visit the Bacon Society web site ernstbacon.org, Spotify, or contact ellenwbacon@aol.com for ideas.
Gayle Ross Collaborative Pianist Award: $100

This competition is open to singers who are residents of, or studying in, NYS and those states contiguous with NYS.

DISTINGUISHED JUDGES

Katie Pershall
Jeremiah Abiah
David Pershall
one more soon to be announced

COMPETITION REGULATIONS

Contestants must perform within their age group as of November 11, 2023. Proof of age (copy of driver’s license or passport) must be presented at registration. At present there are no COVID protocols at OCC.
Former First Place winners of the CMM Competition may not compete again in the same category.
Repertoire requirements (all must be memorized): 1. An aria from an opera; 2. An aria from an oratorio, mass, requiem, or cantata in the original language; 3. One foreign language art song; 4. One 20th Century American art song composed between 1910-1983; 5. One 20th – 21st Century American art song composed between 1984-2023 (date of composition, not publication); No arrangements allowed. Announce title & composer. Contestants are known only by number to the judges. Visit songofamerica.net for American song ideas.
The submitted repertoire may be changed via email but must meet the above requirements. Changes will not be accepted after Saturday, November 4.
Contestants chosen for the finals will sing a selection of their choice and one American art song. Judges will take into consideration the difficulty and sophistication of the American song, so consult your teacher/coach.
CMM reserves the right not to award a prize in a category on recommendation of the judges.
Contestants are encouraged to provide their own pianist. CMM will provide a pianist for a $40 fee. If requesting a pianist, you will be notified where to send digital copies of your music.
Complete application online and submit payment of $25 via PayPal, plus $40 if requesting a pianist. For any questions, email Janet Brown at janbrown@syr.edu,
Contestants will be notified of their audition times via email no later than November 4.
All those involved with the CMM Vocal Competition must agree to comply with any COVID protocols that might be in place at the host institution.