The American Prize in Vocal Performance, 2024-25
The Friedrich and Virginia Schorr
Memorial Awards
EXTENDED DEADLINE (because of many requests): Tuesday, Sept 24, 2024, with extensions available by email request. Questions? Email: theamericanprize@gmail.com
BACKGROUND:
The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards 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, based on submitted applications. There is no live competition and no age limit. Applicants performing American Music should also consider applying for the BACON AWARD. (Click "American Music" in the "Competitions" menu, above). In this division we are accepting performances made within the last five years.
APPLICATION OPTIONS:
*pay application fees online—or by check or credit card.
*provide online links to audition selections—or send recordings by mail.
*fill out the application on your computer and email it to the office—or write it by hand, scan (or photo) and email or send by U.S. mail.
WHAT CONTESTANTS WIN:
The American Prize is more than monetary. The Prize grew from the belief that a great deal of excellent music being made in this country goes unrecognized and unheralded, not only in our major cities, but all across the country...in schools and churches, in colleges and universities, and by community and professional musicians. Laureates of The American Prize at all levels of achievement derive local, regional and national recognition to help generate jobs, build audiences and sustain careers. Semi-finalists, finalists and winners are announced to national arts media and on our websites, where winners are profiled. Semi-finalists, finalists and winners earn the right to use The American Prize logo and official seal on printed programs and other documents, and on the web. Thousands of artists have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize.
SEMI-FINALISTS: All semi-finalists receive official certificates.
FINALISTS and RUNNERS-UP: All finalists receive certificates and short comments about their audition. Runners-up receive certificates and written, unbiased evaluations from our distinguished national panel of judges. When winners are announced on The American Prize blog, RUNNERS-UP are also profiled with photos, biographies and website links.
WINNERS: A single winner in each category and/or division is selected, the decisions now gender neutral. Winners receive certificates, written evaluations, personalized press releases sent by us to local media and other contacts you provide as part of your application, and cash prizes up to $500, depending on the year, the category and the number of entrants. Only with your explicit permission, excerpts of winning performances may be posted to The American Prize channel on YouTube.
The judges reserve the right to award citations and honorable mentions as warranted, and to combine categories when necessary. The decision of the judges is final.
CLICK HERE for Vocal Performance—Opera/Operetta APPLICATION FORM and REQUIREMENTS
categories: professional, college/university, community, high school
CLICK HERE for Vocal Performance—Art Song/Oratorio APPLICATION FORM and REQUIREMENTS
categories: professional, college/university, community, high school
CLICK HERE for Vocal Performance—Opera/Operetta APPLICATION FORM and REQUIREMENTS
categories: professional, college/university, community, high school
CLICK HERE for Vocal Performance—Art Song/Oratorio APPLICATION FORM and REQUIREMENTS
categories: professional, college/university, community, high school