Bel Canto Chorus Announces 23rd Annual Regional Artists Competition

Feb. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- Milwaukee, WI - Bel Canto Chorus announces the 23rd annual Regional Artists Competition on Saturday, April 21, 2012, 1:00 PM at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI  53202.

Singers with strong oratorio experience are invited to audition for a solo engagement with Bel Canto Chorus during its 2012-2013 concert season, which includes a cash prize of $1,000. Past winners have gone on to perform in prestigious venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Rome Festival Orchestra.

Judges for the competition include; Richard Hynson, Music Director, Bel Canto Chorus and Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Michelle Hynson, Assistant Conductor, Bel Canto Chorus, and William Florescu, General Director, Florentine Opera Company. Additional adjudicators will be selected from the following organizations: Bach Chamber Choir, Festival Choir of Madison, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Choristers, Racine Symphony Orchestra, Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Waukesha Choral Union, and Wisconsin Philharmonic.

Interested singers with strong oratorio experience should send:
•    A one-page resume (including phone & email)
•    One black & white 8x10 professional photo
•    Two letters of recommendation
•    $35 non-refundable application fee (check payable to Bel Canto Chorus)
•    One clearly labeled CD or DVD of any repertoire that best represents your voice, no longer than 10 minutes. (Application materials will not be returned.)

Each competition finalist will be given 10 minutes to sing two selections.  At least one selection should be from oratorio repertoire.  Singers may choose to include a solo from Bel Canto’s 2012-2013 Season which features Brahms’ "Ein deutsches Requiem" and Rachmaninoff’s "Vespers," but this is not required.

The Bel Canto Regional Artists Competition is open to those singers who have recently completed, or are nearing completion of, their study of the vocal arts and are ready to begin performing as professional artists, but have not yet developed an ongoing career and are not managed professionally. The competition does not have an official age range for contestants.

The postmark deadline for applications is March 9, 2012.

Mail to:      Regional Artists Competition 2012
      Bel Canto Chorus
      158 N. Broadway
      Milwaukee, WI  53202

Finalists will be notified by March 30, 2012.

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Bel Canto Chorus is Milwaukee’s premier choral organization. Founded in 1931, Bel Canto is committed to enriching the lives of its audiences and singing members through
the outstanding live presentation of choral music.