Bel Canto Chorus Announces 25th Annual Regional Artists Competition

MILWAUKEE - Jan. 23, 2014 - PRLog -- Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee announces the 25^th annual Regional Artists Competition on Saturday, May 3, 2014, 1:00 PM at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI  53202.

Singers of any age with strong oratorio experience are invited to audition for a solo engagement with Bel Canto Chorus during its 2014-2015 concert season, which includes a cash prize of $1,000. Past winners have gone on to perform with prestigious organizations 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, Pasquale Laurino, Music Director, Racine Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Kevin McMahon, Music Director of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Wheaton Symphony Orchestra, and Maud Powell Music Festival, Andrew Sewell, Music Director, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and Dr. Gregory Ruffer, President, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Additional adjudicators will be selected from the following organizations: Bach Chamber Choir, Festival Choir of Madison, Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Choristers, Skylight Music Theatre, and others.

Interested singers with strong oratorio experience should send:

•    A one-page resume (including phone & email)
•    One 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, but are not required, to include a solo from Bel Canto’s 2014-2015 Season which will feature Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle.

The postmark deadline for applications is March 21, 2014.

Mail to:
        Regional Artists Competition 2014
         Bel Canto Chorus
         158 N. Broadway
         Milwaukee, WI  53202

Finalists will be notified by April 15, 2014.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Whitney, Education and Outreach Manager, at 414.481.8801 x4 or rwhitney@belcanto.org.