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 competition offers singers and composers the opportunity to work with and receive feedback from world-renowned judges, including George Shirley. The 2024 semi-final and final rounds will be held in person at the University of Michigan, on May 17-19. The competition will be enforcing all COVID-19 protocols set by the University of Michigan and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. More than $65,000 in prizes will be awarded.
GSVC Vocal Divisions:
- High School Vocal Division: Ages 14-18
- Collegiate Division: Ages 18-22
- Pre-Professional Division: Ages 23-35
- International Division: Ages 16-35 (International students attending a US institution
should compete in one of the other categories.)
GSVC Composer Division:
- Composer Division: Ages 18-35
Fill out the application under the ‘Apply to Compete‘ section of the website.
Application Deadline
The 2024 application deadline for all divisions has been extended to March 10, 2024.
- High School Vocal Division: March 10, 2024
- Collegiate Division: March 10, 2024
- Pre-Professional Division: March 10, 2024
- International Division: March 10, 2024
- Composer Division: March 10, 2024
Application Fees
| Division | Fee |
| High School | $50 |
| College | $50 |
| Pre-Professional | $50 |
| International | $15 |
| Composer | $30 |
Structure for the 2024 Competition
The GSVC will continue to be a multi-level competition, including three rounds: preliminary, semi-final, and finals. The preliminary round will be conducted virtually, while the semi-final and final rounds will be held in person.
- Preliminary Round: All entrants are invited to submit performances of selected repertoire in a preliminary round that will be reviewed by the judges. For instructions on recording video performances, review the Recording Guidelines.
- Final Round: The judges will select semi-finalists and finalists from each division to compete in person at the University of Michigan, May 17-19.
- Winner’s Concert: The winners will be invited to perform at a concert on Sunday, May 19. The concert will also be live-streamed on Facebook. Stay tuned for more information.
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 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 selections in the following categories:
- 1 Spiritual
- 1 African American Art Song
For each selection, you will need to provide the file name, which should include the title and composer, as submitted via georgeshirleycompetition.wetransfer.com in order to complete the application.
Requirements for the Collegiate category: Ages 18-22
Collegiate vocalists are asked to prepare three selections in the following categories:
- 1 African American Art Song
- 1 Spiritual
- 1 African American Opera Aria or 1 African American Art Song
For each selection, you will need to provide the file name, which should include the title, composer, as submitted via georgeshirleycompetition.wetransfer.com in order to complete the application.
Requirements for the Pre-Professional category: Ages 23-35
Pre-professional vocalists are asked to prepare five selections. Three recorded for preliminary round judging and two additional for live performance round(s).
Note: Where “African American Art Song” is listed in the requirements, an African, African American or African Diasporic piece can be selected. Repertoire may also include an art song by a woman composer or by a contemporary composer (piece written after 2000 or a living composer).
- 1 Spiritual (Recorded)
- 2 African American Art Song (may be by a Woman or living Composer) (1 of 2 Recorded)
- 1 African American Opera OR American American Oratorio Aria OR a 3rd African American Art song (Recorded)
- 1 Art Song by an African OR African Diaspora composer
For each selection, you will need to provide the file name, which should include the title, composer, as submitted via georgeshirleycompetition.wetransfer.com in order to complete the application.
Requirements for the International category: Ages 16-35 (If an international student is attending a US institution, you should compete in one of the other categories.)
International vocalists are asked to prepare two selections. 2 selections must be an African, American American or African diaspora composer.
- 2 African American Art Songs
For each selection, you will need to provide the file name, which should include the title, composer, via georgeshirleycompetition.wetransfer.com 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 2022-2024 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 $65,000 in prizes will be awarded during the 2024 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 Sponsored by Carrie Wilson
- 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 anonymous donor
- Second Prize, College Division: $2,500 In honor of James and Carole Rose
- Third Prize, College Division: $1,500 Sponsored by Sylvia Holifield and siblings in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Talmage Turner
- First Prize, High School Division: $1,000 Sponsored by Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
- Second Prize, High School Division: $750 Sponsored by several donors
- Third Prize, High School Division: $600 Sponsored by Chauncey Packer
International Student Placement prizes
- International student prizes (2): $500 Sponsored by Susan Ignasiak, Louise Toppin, and Patrice Eaton
Composition Prizes for African-American Composers
- Art Song Composition Prize (for African American Composers): $1,000 Sponsored by Marquita Lister
- The Catherine Russell Composer Award: $2,500 for a newly commissioned work to premiere in Rochester, NY. Sponsored by Opera on Tap Rochester
- Prize for a newly commissioned work (awarded to a singer): $1,500 Sponsored by Karen Slack
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 focus on a special area of interest within the African-American vocal repertoire. The special prizes for 2024 are:
- Soprano Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by Myra Merritt
- Mezzo Soprano Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by Hilda Harris
- Tenor Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by Carrie Wilson in honor of George Shirley
- Baritone Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by James and Bonnie Rose in honor of Christal Rose
- Art Song Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by Wills Patterson
- 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
- Operatic Aria Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by Patricia Miller
- Spiritual Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by Robert Sims
- Spiritual Prize: $500 Sponsored by Patrice Eaton
- Women Composers Prize: $1,000 Sponsored by Charsie R. Sawyer and Laura English Robinson
- The Jay-Red-Koh Encouragement Award for Self Identify LGBTQIA+ Singer: $1,000 Sponsored by Opera on Tap Rochester
- Dr. Terri Braxton Encouragement Award: $1,000 Sponsored by Opera on Tap Rochester
- Detroit Music Association Scholarship for High School division: $750 Sponsored by Detroit Music Association (DMA)
- Detroit Music Association Scholarship for High School division: $300 Sponsored by Detroit Music Association (DMA)
Sponsors & Donors
The 2024 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.
Support this year’s competition by making a donation.