The Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition, now in its seventh year, is a highly esteemed event that promotes undergraduate excellence and creativity in singing. This year, the competition will be held on March 7th at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The event is sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the Carolina region of NATS.
The Schmidt Competition began in 2013 as a way to encourage and support undergraduate vocal students in their studies and to foster a love of singing. The competition is open to all full-time undergraduate students enrolled in college or university in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. There is no age limit for entrants.
The competition consists of two rounds. In the first round, competitors sing one aria or art song of their choice. In the second round, they perform a selected work from a list provided by the competition committee. A panel of three judges will score the performances and decide who advances to the second round. The finalists will be announced at the end of the first round and will compete for prizes and bragging rights in the second round.
The first prize is $2000 and a trophy. The second prize is $1000 and a trophy. The third prize is $500 and a trophy. In addition, there are three honorable mention prizes of $250 each. The winner of the NATS Art Song Prize will receive $500 and a trophy, and the winner of the NATS A capella Prize will receive $500 and a trophy.
The Schmidt Competition is an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to showcase their talents and receive feedback from some of the leading vocal experts in the country. We encourage all eligible students to participate!
History and Overview of the Competition
The Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition is an annual event that is held at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The competition is open to any undergraduate student who is enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States. The competition was established in memory of Walter Schmidt, who was a professor of voice at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 1955 to 1984.
It consists of two rounds. The first round is held on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the second round is held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The finalists are chosen by a panel of judges that consists of music professionals from around the country.
The winner of the competition receives a $5000 prize, and the second and third-place finishers receive a $2500 prize and a $1000 prize, respectively. The winner also receives a trophy and a certificate.
The Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to showcase their talents and compete for a significant prize. The competition is also a great way for students to meet other undergraduate students who are interested in music.
Eligibility Requirements for Students
To be eligible to compete in the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition, students must:
1. Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited college or university in the United States
2. Be pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance, Music Education, or Music Theory/Composition
3. Have completed at least two years of undergraduate study by the time of the competition
4. Not have won first place in any previous Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition
Students who meet these eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply to compete in the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition! This is a great opportunity for undergraduate vocalists to showcase their talents and receive feedback from a panel of expert judges.
Benefits of Participating in the Competition
The Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition is an annual event that takes place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The competition is open to any undergraduate student who is enrolled in a college or university in the United States. The competition consists of two rounds: the preliminary round and the final round.
The preliminary round of the competition is open to all undergraduate students who meet the eligibility requirements. The Preliminary Round will take place on Friday, October 11th, 2019. All singers who advance to the final round will be notified by Monday, October 14th, 2019.
The final round of the competition will take place on Friday, November 8th, 2019. The finals will be open to the public and will take place in Person Hall on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.
The benefits of participating in the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition are many. The experience of competing can be invaluable, regardless of whether or not a singer ultimately wins the competition. The process of preparing for and then competing in the competition can help a singer develop and refine their vocal technique and performance skills. In addition, exposure to a panel of expert judges can provide feedback that can be helpful in further developing one’s craft.
The Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition is an excellent way for undergraduate students to gain experience performing in front of an audience and receive feedback from expert judges. The experience and skills gained from participating in the competition can be beneficial in many ways, both inside and outside of the world of music.
Preparation Tips for Participants
Preparation Tips for Participants
The Schmidt Vocal Competition is one of the most prestigious competitions for undergraduate students. The competition is open to any student who is enrolled in an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States.
The competition consists of three rounds. The first round is a recorded audition that is submitted online. The second round is a live audition that takes place in New York City. The final round is a live concert that is open to the public.
To prepare for the competition, we have compiled a list of tips for participants:
1. First and foremost, make sure that you are eligible to participate in the competition. Check the requirements and make sure you meet them.
2. Start practicing early. The sooner you start, the better prepared you will be.
3. Choose your repertoire wisely. Make sure you select pieces that show off your vocal range and abilities.
4. Find a good vocal coach. A coach can help you prepare both mentally and physically for the competition.
5. Stay healthy. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and avoiding any type of illness.
6. Be confident in your abilities. Remember why you decided to enter the competition in the first place.
7. Have fun! The Schmidt Vocal Competition is a great opportunity to meet other talented singers from around the country.
Evaluation Criteria for Judges
The Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music is one of the most prestigious competitions for young singers in the United States. The competition is open to undergraduate vocalists who are enrolled in any college or university in the United States.
The competition is named after Margaret and Herman Schmidt, who founded the CCM Vocal Arts program in 1951. The Schmidt Competition has been held every four years since its inception in 1995.
The two-round process
The competition is based on a two-round process. In the first round, each singer performs two selections from the classical repertoire. The selections must be contrasting in style and must be in English or a language that the singer is comfortable singing in.
In the second round, the finalists compete in a concerto competition. They perform one movement of a concerto with piano accompaniment.
The winner of the competition receives a $10,000 prize and a contract to perform with the Cincinnati Opera.
The judges for the competition are all professionals in the opera world. They are chosen for their expertise and experience in evaluating singers.
The criteria that the judges use to evaluate the singers are based on the following factors: tone, technique, musicianship, interpretation, and stage presence.
The tone is the quality of the voice. It should be clear, resonant, and free from any harshness or strain.
The technique is the singer’s ability to produce clean, consistent vocalism. The singer should be able to control their breath and use proper vowel placement.
Musicianship is the singer’s understanding of the music and their ability to communicate that understanding to the audience. This includes factors such as phrasing, dynamics, and rhythm.
Interpretation is the singer’s ability to bring the character of the piece to life. This includes choices about tempo, dynamics, and emotional expressiveness.
Stage presence is the singer’s ability to connect with the audience and create a rapport. This includes factors such as stage presence, projection, and acting ability.
Prize Categories and Awards
The Schmidt Vocal Competition is back for another year and we’ve got some great prizes lined up for our winners! Here’s a run-down of the prize categories and awards:
First Prize: $500 and a trophy
Second Prize: $250 and a trophy
Third Prize: $100 and a trophy
Fourth Prize: $50 and a trophy
Fifth Prize: $25 and a trophy
The first, second, and third prize winners will also receive a one-year membership to the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
In addition, all finalists will receive a certificate of achievement.
We’ll also be giving out two special awards this year:
The “Spirit of the Competition” award, will be given to the competitor who best embodies the positive spirit of the competition. This award is chosen by the competition staff and is not based on placement in the competition.
The “Audience Choice” award, will be given to the competitor who receives the most votes from the audience. This award is also not based on placement in the competition.
So, there you have it! These are the prizes and awards up for grabs at this year’s Schmidt Vocal Competition. We can’t wait to hear about all of the amazing talents out there and see who takes home the top prizes!
Past Winners and Notable Performances
The Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition, one of the most prestigious competitions for undergraduate vocalists, has been held annually at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) since its inception in 1981. The competition is named after William J. Schmidt, a CCM alumnus and successful businessman, who endowed the competition with a $50,000 gift.
The Schmidt Competition is open to any full-time undergraduate student enrolled in a North American college or university who will not have reached their 27th birthday by the time of the final round of the competition. A total of 12 finalists are chosen from hundreds of applicants to compete in the live, semifinal, and final rounds of the competition, which take place over the course of one week in February.
Past winners of the competition
Past winners of the competition include some of today’s most successful classical singers, such as Renée Fleming, Susanna Phillips, Jennifer Koh, Nadine Sierra, and Matthew Polenzani. Polenzani, who won the competition in 1992, went on to have a successful career as a leading tenor at the Metropolitan Opera and other major opera houses around the world. Sierra, who won the competition in 2010, has gone on to become one of the most sought-after sopranos of her generation, winning accolades for her performances at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Santa Fe Opera, among others.
In addition to the cash prize that is awarded to the first-, second and third-place finishers, all of the finalists receive a professional recording of their semifinal and final round performances, which is made possible by a generous grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. This recording serves as an important addition to each singer’s professional portfolio and can be used for future audition purposes.
The Schmidt Competition is not only an important showcase for young singers but also an important source of funding for CCM’s vocal arts programs. Thanks to the competition’s endowment, CCM can offer significant scholarships to its undergraduate vocal students, which helps attract some of the best young singers from around the world to study at CCM.
The Schmidt Competition has become one of the most important events on the annual opera calendar, and it continues to showcase the incredible talents of the next generation of classical singers.
Upcoming Events and Dates
It’s that time of year again! The Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition is coming up soon, and we can’t wait! This is always one of the most anticipated events of the year for us, and it’s always a great opportunity to see some of the best up-and-coming vocalists in the country.
This year’s competition will be held on April 21st and 22nd at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. We’ll be there to support all of the competitors and to enjoy the great performances. We hope to see you there!
Advice from Past Competitors
When it comes to the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition, there is no shortage of incredible advice from past competitors. Here are just a few pieces of wisdom that could help you as you prepare for your performance:
1. “Don’t be afraid to show your personality on stage. The judges are looking for a well-rounded performer, not just a good singer.”
2. “There’s no need to be perfect. Just be yourself and have fun with it.”
3. “Don’t be discouraged if you don’t win. The experience is truly what matters.”
4. “Remember that the judges are human too. They’re looking for a connection with the performer, so don’t be afraid to show your emotions.”
5. “Don’t forget to breathe! It sounds simple, but it’s so important to keep your nerves under control.”
We hope that this advice from past competitors will help you as you prepare for your performance in the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition. Good luck!
Resources for Further Information
When it comes to finding resources for further information, the Internet is a wealth of knowledge. However, sifting through all of the information can be daunting. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of reputable sources that can help you further your research.
The first place to start is the website for the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition. The site includes a comprehensive list of resources, including links to articles, videos, and interviews with past winners.
Another great source of information is YouTube. There are dozens of videos from past competitions, as well as interviews with winners and judges. You can also find helpful tips and advice from vocal coaches who have competed in the competition.
If you’re looking for more in-depth analysis, several books have been written about the competition, including “The Schmidt Vocal Competition: A History and Analysis” by Dr. James W. Harman. This book provides a detailed history of the competition, as well as a critical analysis of the judging process.
Finally, if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information about the competition, make sure to follow the Schmidt Vocal Competition on Facebook and Twitter.
Meet Helen, a passionate educator and Montessori expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Montessori Education. Helen’s love for the Montessori method began when she was introduced to it during her own childhood education. Since then, she has dedicated her career to promoting the Montessori approach as a way to help children develop their full potential. Through her work as a teacher, consultant, and writer, Helen has helped countless parents and educators understand and implement the Montessori philosophy in their own lives. Her articles and books have been published in various education journals and she has been invited to speak at conferences around the world. Helen believes that every child has the potential to thrive and that Montessori education provides the tools to make that happen.