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.
Deadline & Application Fee
The 2024 application deadline for all divisions has been extended to March 10, 2024. The application fee for this division is $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.
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. For the composers division, competitors will compete for the top prize of:
- Art Song Composition Prize (for African American Composers): $1,000 Sponsored by Marquita Lister
- Prize for a newly commissioned work to premiere in Rochester, NY: $2,000 Sponsored by Opera on Tap Rochester
- Prize for a newly commissioned work: $1,500 Sponsored by Karen Slack (awarded to a singer)
- Work to be added in The African Diapsora Music Project is a resource tools designed to assist our competitors locate original works by composers of the African Diaspora. All research associated with this project is owned and presented by Dr. Louise Toppin and Videmus.
Questions
For more information on the competition’s structure, prizes, and information on previous years’ winners, visit About the Competition.