Apply to Compete, Pre-Professional Division 2024

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.

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Deadline & Application Fee

The 2024 application deadline for all divisions has been extended to March 10, 2024. The application fee for this competitor division is $50. (If an international student is attending a US institution, you should compete in one of the other categories.)

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.

Notes:

  • Repertoire may include an art song by a woman composer or by a contemporary composer (piece written after 2000 or a living composer).
  • Where “African American Art Song” is listed in the requirements, an African, African American or African Diasporic piece can be selected. 

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.

What you’ll need to complete the application:

  • Repertoire Selections: Name, Composer
  • (3) Video recordings from your Selections: 1 Spiritual, 1 African American Art Song, 1 Art Song OR Opera Aria
    (Note: you may optionally provide video recordings for the remaining selections as well, but the judges will only review up to 3)  
  • (Optional) Special Prize Eligibility: To be considered for the following prizes, you’ll need to meet additional requirements:
    • Jay-Red-Koh Encouragement Award for LGBTQIA+ singers: Submit a video of no more than 3 minutes or a written statement answering the following prompt:
      “How can being courageous in our vast identities lend itself to the creation of the art that we hope to share with the world? What are some defining ways that you use your identity as a means of self-expression through your craft?
  • Educator Referral: Name, Email, School
  • Short Biography
  • Headshot 
  • Application fee: $50 (paid via PayPal) 

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.

Instructions for Video Submission

In addition to completing the application, please follow these instructions carefully:

  • Name your performance video files in the following format: “YOUR NAME_TITLE_COMPOSER” (ex: Louise Toppin_Hold Fast to Dreams_Florence Price.mp4)
  • Go to georgeshirleycompetition.wetransfer.com
  • Click “Add Your Files” to upload the video. You can upload multiple videos at once, or one at a time.
  • Under “Your email,” add your email address. Please use the same email address as used in your application submission.
  • Under “Message” you must include the following information:
    • Title
    • Composer
    • Which repertoire requirement the piece is intended for
    • Click “Transfer.”

NOTE: If you do not have a WeTransfer account, you will be asked to verify your email address. Please be sure to check your spam box.

Competitor Resources

  • The African Diaspora Music Project is a resource tool designed to assist our competitors to 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.
  • The Recording Guidelines provide detailed instructions and tips for capturing the best videos for submission to the competition.

Questions

For more information on the competition’s structure, prizes, and information on previous years’ winners, visit About the Competition.  

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