The Dallas Opera Guild Presents The 25th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition

The Dallas Opera Guild will present the 25th Annual "Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition," an on-stage showcase for talented young opera singers with Texas connections on Saturday, March 23, 2013 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201.

This marks the third time this eagerly anticipated vocal competition will be held in the acoustically acclaimed Winspear Opera House.

There is no charge for admission to any part of the event (although donations are definitely welcome), and Lexus Red Garage parking is available for just $5 for both the Semi-final Round, from 11:30 AM until 4:30 PM, and the Finals Round of the Guild competition, from 7:30 PM that same evening. To receive discounted self-parking for this event, visit dallasopera.org/vocal. Click on the "Buy Parking" button and then, select the $5 self-parking option. Follow additional instructions to obtain your print-on-demand parking coupon for this event.

Nineteen semi-finalists (aged 22 to 30) chosen from a field of sixty-seven qualified applicants will compete for thousands of dollars in prize monies ($19,000 was awarded in 2007, 2009, and 2010; $20,500 in 2011; $20,000 in 2012) at this year's competition, open to singers preparing for a career in the field of opera. They must be current Texas residents or out-of-state residents attending a Texas college or university.

Judges for this year's event include:

· Sheri Greenawald, Opera Center Director, San Francisco Opera

· Evans Mirageas, Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera

· Lenore Rosenberg, Associate Artistic Administrator, Metropolitan Opera

· Brad Woolbright, Director of Artistic Administration, Santa Fe Opera

· And from The Dallas Opera, Artistic Director Jonathan Pell, who also acts as artistic advisor to this eagerly anticipated annual competition.

"Everyone views the Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition as a tremendous opportunity for gifted young opera singers with Texas ties," says Mr. Pell. "However, the fact is, this is just as significant an opportunity for those of us in the field to gauge the next generation of singing talent, as it is a chance for these young artists to shine.
"My commitment to this competition grows year-by-year," he adds, "because I've seen its incredible impact on lives, as well as careers."

"Previous winners have built upon the encouragement and financial support they received to earn spots in prestigious young artists' programs and advance in their studies at leading vocal institutes," explains Vocal Competition Chair Sharon Bird Stupp. "Many who received early recognition here have gone on to stellar international careers, award-winning roles on Broadway, and prestigious debuts and teaching positions."

The Dallas Opera Guild is pleased to announce that the Honorees for the 25th Annual Vocal Competition are Katherine and Michael Phillips.
The Phillips have been actively involved with numerous civic and arts organizations including The Dallas Opera, The Dallas Opera Guild and The Dallas Opera Women's Board for many seasons - and Mr. Phillips also serves on The Dallas Opera Board.
Both have won the respect of their peers for their tireless contributions of time, talent, energy and resources.

The Underwriting Co-Chairmen for the event are Martha Allday and Sandi Ciarochi.

Preliminary judges for this year's competition included Dallas Opera Music Director of Education and Family Programming and Adjunct Faculty at the University of North Texas Mary Dibbern; Donnie Ray Albert, International Performer and Interim Lecturer in Voice at the University of Texas at Austin; and Dr. Stephen Dubberly, Opera Music Director at the University of North Texas.
The singers in both the semi-final and finals rounds on March 23rd will be accompanied by Dallas Opera pianist and vocal coach Julian Reed and accompanist and faculty vocal coach Jason Smith from Southern Methodist University.

However, the judging isn't left entirely to the professionals; the amateur music lovers get to express their views, too.
Audience participation, in fact, is part of the fun at each year's Dallas Opera Vocal Competition and, for the fourteenth consecutive year, attendees will be given the chance to sit down with a ballot and vote on their personal favorites for "The People's Choice Award."
The Dallas Opera Guild's Vocal Competition, not only provides vital assistance to the young opera stars of tomorrow, but also creates an outstanding opportunity for people from throughout the community to hear exceptional up-and-coming talents, in free performances in a magnificent setting.

 

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