If you missed any of the masterclasses, composers or international competition during the 2023 George Shirley Vocal Competition, you can view the 2023 GSVC playlist on our youtube channel. A recording of the Finals concerts will be added to the playlist once it’s available.
Thanks you to everyone who participated in this year’s competition! Without you it wouldn’t be possible.
Congratulations to all of our Composers, High School, Collegiate, Pre-Professional and International competitors who submitted performances for the 2023 George Shirley Competition. View our YouTube playlist of our 2023 Winners, or by clicking on each competitor’s name below:
Composer Division
High School Division
Collegiate Division
Pre-Professional Division
International Division
High School Masterclass in Watkins Hall (1:00pm – 2:30pm)
Kisma Jordan and Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers, Peter Smith, pianist
College Masterclass in Watkins Hall (Saturday, May 20, 3:00pm – 4:20pm)
George Shirley, Kathryn Goodson, pianist
Audrianna H., I’m a Poor Li’l Orphan by Julia Perry
Cornelius H., Valcour’s Air by Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Oluwagbemiga O., I, Too by Marqaret Bonds
Lisa A., Chanson Havanaise by Lucien-Léon G. Lambert
Alternate:
Isabelle R., ???
College Masterclass in Kevertson Hall (Sunday, May 21, 1:00pm – 2:00pm)
Dr. JoAna Rusche, Kathryn Goodson, pianist
Molly G., Night by Florence Price
Jonathan S., Wild Swans by H. Leslie Adams
Lauren B., That Wild Fire by H. Leslie Adams
Alternate:
Lucy K., Love Let the Wind Cry by Undine Smith Moore
Pre-professional Masterclass in Britton Recital Hall (7:30 – 9:00pm)
Marquita Lister, Josh Marzan, pianist
Jacob L., Fourth of July Speech by Dorothy Rudd Moore
HaYoung J.
Adia E.
Jillian T., ‘Tis Sunset in the Garden – William Grant Still
Seth-Emmanuel C., I Want Jesus to Walk with Me by Edward Boatner
Celeste M., Sympathy by Florence Price
Masterclass on Spirituals Britton Recital Hall (4:30 – 6:00pm)
Robert Sims, Peter Smith, pianist
Napoleon S., God is a God – Jacqueline Hairston
Simone B., Don’t Feel Noways Tired – Jacqueline Hairston
Amante P-G., Guide my feet, by Hairston
Trinity H-A., Witness, Hall Johnson
The 2023 George Shirley Vocal Competition is finally here! The competition will open with a welcome concert that will be live streamed. We will place the feed on this page below the program information. If you won’t be joining us in person, tune in through the live feed below. We will be live at 7:00pm! See you then!
Tonight’s Welcome Concert will be professionally streamed by the University of Michigan
Congratulations to all of our Composers, High School, Collegiate, and Pre-Professional competitors who submitted performances for the 2021 George Shirley Competition. The past year and a half have brought new challenges and adversity for everyone and we are incredibly proud of each and every contestant for succeeding in spite of these obstacles. Below are all of the competitiors from this year’s competition.
B.E. Boykin
DelShawn Taylor
Anne-Marie Atanga, Soprano, Genesee Early College
Zanaiah Billups, Mezzo-Soprano, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
Anna Bjerken, Soprano, Ithaca High School
Arianna Bolling, Soprano, Nashville School of the Arts
Rachael Farquharson, Mezzo-Soprano, Early College Alliance at Eastern Michigan University
Travis Guillory, Tenor, Cascia Hall Preparatory School
Jana Harmon, Soprano, Veritas School
Cameron Mitchell, Soprano, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Jaylin Smith, Mezzo-Soprano, Centennial High School
Jordan Soderstrom, Baritone, Canton South High School
Grace Watson, Soprano, Berkley High School
Nina Anderson, Soprano, University of Maryland
Maia Aramburu, Soprano, The University of Michigan SMTD
Desirae Banks, Soprano, New York University
Bryan Bennett, Baritone, Carnegie Mellon University
Aldo Pando Girard, Baritone, University of Michigan
Audrianna Hughes, Mezzo-Soprano, Murray State University
Cinderella Ksebati, Soprano, University of Michigan
Pelagia Pamel, Mezzo-Soprano, University of Michigan
Jared Payton, Tenor, Grace College Of Divinity
Lindsey Reynolds, Soprano, Curtis Institute of Music
Jillian Tate, Soprano, University of Maryland
Adja Thomas, Mezzo-Soprano, Manhattan School of Music
Darren Tucker, Tenor, Webster University
Sydney Wilson, Mezzo-Soprano, Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University
Andrea Alderman, Soprano, New York University Steinhardt
Charles Anderson, Tenor, Austin Peay State University
Jemeyah Bagby, Soprano, Towson University
Denise Battle, Soprano, Norfolk State University
Danielle Beckvermit, Soprano, Michigan State University
Chantal Brazel, Soprano, Carnegie Mellon University School of Music
Sashekia Brown, Soprano, University of Nevada, Reno
Nicholas Davis, Baritone, Chicago College of Performing Arts
Kanisha Feliciano, Soprano, Rice University
Darius Gillard, Tenor, University of Michigan
Gedeane Graham, Mezzo-Soprano, Michigan State University
Lily Guerrero, Soprano, Florida State University
Melissa Joseph, Soprano, Georgia State University
Jeannette Lee, Mezzo-Soprano, Doctor of Musical Arts
Imani Mchunu, Soprano, University of Michigan
Amber Merritt, Soprano, Masters of Music
Lisa Newill-Smith, Soprano, Royal Northern College of Music
Kayla Hill Oderah, Soprano, University of Michigan
Miracle Ogbor, Soprano, Longy school of music of Bard college
Myah Paden, Mezzo-Soprano, University of Michigan
Ardeen Pierre, Soprano, Southern Methodist University
Jouelle Roberson, Soprano, The Atlanta Opera
Daniel Sampson, Tenor, Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University
Mirai Shinde, Soprano, University of Michigan
Andrew Smith, Bass-Baritone, Catholic University of America
Daniel Smith, Baritone, George Mason University
Ian Williams, Bass-Baritone, Heartland Sings, Inc.
Tiffany Williams, Soprano, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Travis Williams, Tenor, University of Nevada Las Vegas
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.
Fill out the application under the ‘Apply to Compete‘ section of the website.
The Application deadline has been extended to March 15, 2021. There is a $50.00 Application Fee for all competitor divisions.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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:
Additional notes:
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).
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:
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.
Looking for new inspiration and repertoire? Explore the African Diaspora Music Project, a Compilation of original works by composers in the African Diaspora. Learn more about this project and it’s importance.
*All research associated with this project is owned and presented by Dr. Louise Toppin and Videmus.*
The Collegiate division has reached capacity and is no longer accepting applications at this time. Please sign up to be notified for next year’s competition below.
For more information on the competition’s structure, prizes, and information on previous years’ winners, visit the 2020 Competition.
Thank you for your interest in the 2020 competition. After careful consideration and review of available information related to COVID-19, we have decided to cancel the vocal portion of the George Shirley Competition for 2020. Our highest priority is maintaining the health and wellness of our contestants, judges, staff, and volunteers, as well as to support the national directive of social distancing to decrease the impact on our healthcare system.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming all singers and composers back for the 2021 competition. Please mark your calendars to apply by March 1, 2021 for next year’s competition to celebrate the official 10th year of the George Shirley Vocal Competition. Thank you all for your dedication to African American vocal music and we urge you to take the necessary precautions to remain safe and healthy. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@
Please consider sharing your email address to stay up-to-date with us as we look forward to the 2021 competition!
Please join us Saturday, May 16, at 11:00am – 12:30pm the 2020 Virtual George Shirley Composers Competition. The competition will be live via our VidemusMusic Facebook page. We are excited to have 5 African American composers (Ethan Godrey, Jerrell Gray, Maya Johnson, Jarrett Roseborough, and Del’Shawn Taylor) presenting their work for this year’s competition cycle.
Each submitted piece will be reviewed by our panel of judges: Mark Lomax, Uzee Brown, Trevor Weston, and Regina Baiocchi. We look forward to the upcoming competition!
The GSVC focuses solely on vocal compositions written for the recital or operatic stage by composers of African-American descent. For more information on the composers competition visit the 2020 Composers Division page.
The George Shirley Vocal Competition is open to singers and composers of all races and ethnicities. This competition focuses solely on vocal compositions written for the recital or operatic stage by composers of African-American descent.
The Application deadline is March 1, 2020. $50.00 Application Fee for all competitor divisions.
Note: There will be no pre-screening for competition.
Interested composers are asked to submit one recently composed art song written between 2018-2020 on the the text of your choice. Composers must be present or available via Skype during the competition. As a part of the application process, please include:
Additional notes:
More than $30,000 in prizes will be awarded during the 2020 competition. For the composers division, competitors will compete for the top prize of:
For more information on the competition’s structure, prizes, and information on previous years’ winners, visit About the Competition.
*If you have already applied and need to pay the registration fee, please click Apply
The George Shirley Vocal Competition is open to singers and composers of all races and ethnicities. This competition focuses solely on vocal compositions written for the recital or operatic stage by composers of African-American descent.
The Application deadline is March 1, 2020. $50.00 Application Fee for all competitor divisions.
Note: There will be no pre-screening for competition.
High School Vocalists are asked to prepare three selections in the following categories:
For each selection, you will need to provide the title, composer, key of composition, and a PDF of the song in the desired key in order to complete the application. Please have this information ready before beginning the application.
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.
More than $30,000 in prizes will be awarded during the 2020 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).
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:
For more information on the competition’s structure, prizes, and information on previous years’ winners, visit About the Competition.
*If you have already applied and need to pay the registration fee, please click Apply
