The George Shirley Vocal Competition: African American Vocal Repertoire (GSVC) is an annual competition, held at The University of Michigan. The competition offers singers and composers the opportunity to work with and receive feedback from world-renowned judges, including George Shirley. More than $30,000 in prizes are awarded annually. The competition is open to singers and composers of all races and ethnicities, ages 14-32 for vocalists and 18-35 for composers.
About the Repertoire
The GSVC provides a platform for tomorrow’s musicians to honor the past while creating new relevance in the 21st century. African American music is an outgrowth of a rich oral tradition from the shores of Africa. When the music was melded with Western European compositional techniques, a unique body of work and musical expression was born. The repertoire was crafted by individuals who had a deep passion for expressing the world as they experienced it. The resulting repertoire is unique in its authenticity and passion, making it an important, living part of American history. It is an art form that deserves to be shared and preserved for future generations.