Beethoven 9 Vocal Competition
The Georgia Symphony Orchestra (GSO) and Music Director Timothy Verville announce a competition with no application fee, open to vocalists 18 years and older who are legal U.S. residents, with the opportunity for the winners to perform with the GSO in concert singing a featured solo part in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, receive a $2,000 honorarium, hotel accommodations, and up to $500 reimbursement for travel expenses for the performance.
Applications can be made via the form below.
The submission deadline is 11:59PM EST December 15, 2023.
Read the full Official Rules here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Review the Audio/Video Requirements under the Contest Guidelines section before recording/sending your submission. Videos failing to meet the rules for submission will not be considered and will result in applicant disqualification. We have already received multiple entires that do not follow the requirements and are disqualified.
Do not send previously recorded or incomplete videos with only one of the two required components (as in only sending an aria and no excerpts or vice versa.)
Do not send multiple links.
Do not send a previous video of you performing with an orchestra.
The Competition At A Glance
While this quick information is provided as a courtesy, please review the full Official Rules before applying.
Fill out the required registration form and submit a piano-accompanied video singing the solo excerpts of your voice type and an aria/song cycle selection that is no longer than 4 minutes (an excerpt from a longer piece is acceptable.) (IMPORTANT: review the Audio/Video Requirements under the Contest Guidelines section before recording your submission. Videos failing to meet the rules for submission will result in applicant disqualification.)
December 15, 2023
Submission Deadline
January 15, 2024
First Round Conclusion – Semi-finalists announced on the GSO Website
February 1, 2024
Second Round Conclusion – Finalists announced on the GSO Website
March 2, 2024 1PM-9PM
Finalists rehearse with accompanists
March 3, 2024 3-5pm
Live Final Round (with assigned warmup time before)
May 17, 2024 Afternoon (TBD)
Piano Rehearsal with Conductor
May 17, 2024 7:30pm-10:00PM
Rehearsal with Orchestra
May 18, 2024 10:00AM-12:30:PM
Dress Rehearsal
May 18, 2024 8:00PM-10:00PM
Performance
May 19, 2024 3:00PM-5:00PM
Performance
Do I need to submit a resume?
A resume is not needed, only registration information and your video with the excerpts and choice of aria/song cycle selection.
Can I use a previously recorded video for my aria submission?
No, the aria/song cycle selection must be recorded at the same time as your excerpts.
Can I record the excerpts over several takes and edit them together?
No, all excerpts must be performed in one take. You may, however, take a little time after each one to make sure you are ready for the next.
Is there an age restriction for the competition?
Applicants must be eighteen years or older at the time of their submission.
Are there any restrictions on student/professional status?
There are no restrictions in regards to status. We are more interested in how you perform, not where you have or have not performed.
Do you have to be a US citizen to apply?
The competition is open to all legal US residents. Winners will be required to provide a completed W-9 for submission to the IRS. If you are unable to fulfill this requirement, do not apply for this competition.
So there is no fee to apply, and all the judging rules are laid out in the Contestant Guidelines section. So what’s the catch?
No catch that we’re aware of! Not many orchestras can provide an open and equal opportunity like this. But we are in a position to do so. And along the way we hope to shine a light on performers who are working hard in service to the arts regardless of their background, connections in the industry, professional status, where they did or did not attend school, and so on.
Online Application Form
Fill out my online form.
© 2023 Georgia Symphony Orchestra
All Rights Reserved