THE THIRTY-SIXTH LYNDON WOODSIDE SOLO COMPETITION

RULES AND PROCEDURES

The application deadline is February 1, 2012.

The Semi-Finals will take place on March 31, 2012

The Finals will take place on April 14, 2012.

I. SCHEDULE

The competition comprises three levels: Preliminaries, Semi-finals and Finals.

A.                  All application materials must be submitted no later than February 1, 2012.

B.                  The Preliminaries are by recording only, and must meet the requirements listed on the application page.  Semi-finals and Finals must be attended in person. 

C.                  Semi-final auditions will be in person, and held in New York City on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9 AM to 5 PM.

D.                  Final competition will be held as a public performance in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 1:30 PM.

II. ONLINE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

A.      Submission deadline is 11:55pm, Wednesday February 1, 2012.

B.      A non-refundable $50 application fee must be paid. Secure online credit card payment is provided with the online application.

C.      Online applicants will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to submit your documents, including recordings, headshot, resume, proof of age and two reference letters.

D.      Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your application.

III. RULES AND PROCEDURES

A.      The Solo Competition is open to singers of all nationalities who were born on or after January 1, 1972 and who have not made a formal oratorio debut in a major concert hall.   (Previous Solo Competition first, second and third prize winners are not eligible to compete).

B.      All aspects of the oratorio style of singing will be judged, including diction, voice quality, interpretation and overall musicianship.

C.      Contestants may hold scores during auditions, and need not memorize their music.

D.      The judges may, at their discretion, stop or interrupt the performance of any contestant at any time during the auditions.  They may also recall a contestant for further auditioning.  No such action should be construed as favorable or unfavorable.

E.       The judges will advance no more than 35 contestants to the Semi-finals, and no more than ten contestants to the Finals.

F.       The Committee Chairman shall oversee the deliberations of the judges.   Any contestant having a family or close personal relationship with a judge must disclose such relationship, and the judge must abstain from voting on that contestant's performances.  Contestants, as long as they continue to participate in the Competition, may not attempt to contact or speak with any Finals judge about the Competition.  Any violation may disqualify the contestant.

G.     Submission of this application does not guarantee applicant an audition.   Singing does not guarantee an award.  Application fee is not refundable.

H.      Contestant represents that the recording submitted for the Preliminary audition is an authentic recording of his or her voice, which has not been electronically enhanced.

Note: By submitting this application, you agree to the following possibilities:

1.       FM radio broadcast of the Finals.

2.       Internet broadcast of the Finals.

3.       Performing a recital for our patrons, at a mutually convenient date.

4.       Use of photographs of Finalists for Oratorio Society of New York publicity.

Notification of acceptance into the Semi Finals and Finals will be by e-mail.

The Semi Finals notification will be on March 10, 2012.

IV. AWARDS

Judges for the Solo Competition Finals are drawn from the major musical institutions of New York City.  At the conclusion of the Finals, the following Awards will be presented:

The Ruth Lopin Nash Award for

FIRST PLACE

$7,000

The Stanley C. Meyerson Award for

SECOND PLACE

$5,000

The Docia Goodwin Franklin Award for

THIRD PLACE

$2,500

The Frances MacEachron Award for

FOURTH PLACE

$1,000

OTHER FINALISTS

$500 each