Virtual competition instructions

Competition Information

The George Shirley Vocal and Composer Competition focuses entirely on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to singers of all ethnicities.  The composer’s competition is open to African American composers. The 2021 GSVC will be virtual. We are also excited to celebrate our 10 year anniversary! To commemorate this occasion, we will be awarding over $30,000 in scholarships, across 4 divisions.

GSVC Competitor Divisions:

• High School Vocal Division: Ages 14-18
• Collegiate Division: Ages 18-22
• Pre-Professional Division: Ages 23-32
• Composer Division: Ages 18-35
• International Division:

Fill out the application under the ‘Apply to Compete‘ section of the website.

Deadline & Application Fee

The Application deadline has been extended to March 15, 2021. There is a $50.00 Application Fee for all competitor divisions.

Structure for Virtual Competition

Given the ongoing nature of COVID-19, the structure of the 2021 competition will look slightly different from previous years. As always, the GSVC will continue to be a multi-level competition, including preliminary and final rounds, over two days. For 2021, however, competitors will be asked to submit video performances along with their application for each of the repertoire requirements for their respective division. The same video performances will be used to judge both the preliminary, semi-final and final rounds. For instructions on recording video performances, review the 2021 Recording Guidelines. 

• Preliminary Round: All entrants are invited to submit performances of selected repertoire in a preliminary round that will be reviewed by the judges. The judges selection of semi-finalists will be announced at 12 noon on May 22nd.
• Final Round: The judges will select finalists from each division to compete in the final round of the competition from the submitted videos. The list of finalists will be announced at 4pm on May 22nd.
• Winner’s Concert: Video performances will be selected to be played during the Winner’s concert on May 23rd at 4pm. This will be the final day of the competition.

In addition to the competition, we will have pre-recorded programming including masterclasses, a spirituals class and discussions for the singers with internationally renowned artists.

Competitor Resources

• The African Diaspora Music Project is a resource tool designed to assist our competitors in identifying and locating original works by composers of the African Diaspora. All research associated with this project is owned and presented by Dr. Louise Toppin and Videmus.
• The 2021 Recording Guidelines provide detailed instructions and tips for capturing the best videos for submission to the competition.

Repertoire Requirements

Requirements for the High School category (Ages 14-18)

High School Vocalists are asked to prepare two – three selections in the following categories:
Repertoire may include an art song by a woman composer or by a contemporary composer (piece written after 2000).

• 1 Spiritual
• 1 African American Art Song
• (Optional) 1 African American Art Song

For each selection, you will need to provide the title, composer, key of composition and YouTube Link (privacy set to ‘Unlisted’), in order to complete the application.

Requirements for the Collegiate category (Ages 18-22)

Collegiate vocalists are asked to prepare four selections in the following categories:
Repertoire may include an art song by a woman composer or by a contemporary composer (piece written after 2000).

• 1 Spiritual
• 1 African American Art Song
• 1 Operatic Aria
• 1 African American Art Song

For each selection, you will need to provide the title, composer, key of composition and YouTube Link (privacy set to ‘Unlisted’), in order to complete the application.

Requirements for the Pre-Professional category (Ages 23-32)

Pre-professional vocalists are asked to prepare five selections. At least 1 selection must be from the African diaspora. i.e. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Chevalier de Saint Georges, Carlos Gomes, Nathaniel Dett, Joshua Uzoigwe, or any other composer representing the diaspora outside of the United States.

• 1 Spiritual
• 1 African American Art Song
• 1 African American Art Song by a Woman Composer
• 1 Contemporary Art Song (piece written after 2000)
• 1 Opera OR Oratorio Aria

For each selection, you will need to provide the title, composer, key of composition and YouTube Link (privacy set to ‘Unlisted’), in order to complete the application.

Requirements for the Composition category (Ages 18-35)

Interested composers are asked to submit one recently composed art song written between 2018-2020 on the text of your choice. Composers must be present or available via Zoom during the competition. As a part of the application process, please include:

• a pdf of your song
• an mp3 or mp4 of your song
• a written statement about the text and creation of your song (max 2000 characters with spaces or 300 words)

Additional notes: 

• Not required to be a text by an African American poet
• Please do not submit a spiritual arrangement

Prizes

More than $30,000 in prizes will be awarded during the 2019 competition. A 1st – 3rd place winner will be chosen from both the High School, College and Pre-professional divisions and each will be awarded a scholarship, ranging in value from $500 to $5,000. In addition singers have an opportunity to compete for special prizes (see below).

Placement Prizes

• First Prize, Pre-Professional Division: $5,000
  In memory of  Wallace D. Brown and Janet Hutchenreuther
• Second Prize, Pre-Professional Division: $4,000
  Sponsored by Louise Toppin in memory of Edgar and Antionette Toppin.
• Third Prize, Pre-Professional Division: $3,000
  In honor of James and Carole Rose
• First Prize, College Division: $4,000
  Sponsored by Harold and Cherie Bridges Patrick in memory of Lynn Bridges
• Second Prize, College Division: $2,500
  In honor of James and Carole Rose
• Third Prize, College Division: $1,500
• First Prize, High School Division: $1,000
  Sponsored by Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
• Second Prize, High School Division: $750
  Sponsored by the Meadows family in memory of Barbara Meadows
• Third Prize, High School Division: $500
  Sponsored by John M. Cilluffo

Special Prizes

In addition to placement prizes, contestants will have the opportunity to be chosen as the recipient for additional scholarships. Most of the scholarships focuses on a special area of interest within the African American vocal repertoire. The special prizes for 2020 are:

• Spiritual Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by Robert Sims
  
• Soprano Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by Myra Merritt 
• Soprano Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by The City of Danville Virginia in honor of Camilla Williams
• Mezzo Soprano Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by Hilda Harris
• Art Song Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by Wills Patterson
  
• Tenor Prize: $1,000
  In honor of George Shirley
• Baritone Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by James and Bonnie Rose in honor of Christal Rose
• Operatic Aria Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by Patricia Miller
• Art Song Composition Prize: $1,000
  Sponsored by Marquita Lister
• Women Composers Prize: $500
  Sponsored by Charsie R. Sawyer
• Contemporary Art Song Prize for Pre-professional division: $500
  Composed after the year 2000.
  Sponsored by Kenneth Overton
• Contemporary Spiritual Prize for Pre-professional division: $500
  Composed after the year 2000.
  Sponsored by Kenneth Overton

Sponsors & Donors

The 2020 competition is supported by a wonderful group of organizations and individuals who have assisted the GSVC. Their support makes the competition possible. For individuals who have provided monetary support, see the full list of our donors.

• The American Spiritual Ensemble
• The Bridges Family
• City of Danville Virginia
• Exigence–A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble
• James and Carole Rose
• John M. Cilluffo
• Kerrytown Concert Hall
• King’s Keyboard House
• Links, Inc.
• Myra Meritt
• Smith Jackson Arts
• The Michigan Opera Theater — Detroit Opera House
• The Michigan Musical Heritage Project
• The University of Michigan
• Videmus
• WRCJ 90.0
• Zingerman’s Community of Businesses