You could win cash awards up to $2,500 - plus other scholarship opportunities!
Showcase your talent at our upcoming vocal competition for high school singers.
2020-2021 Schmidt Vocal Competitions
Applications are now being accepted for high school singers interested in competing during the 2020-2021 Season!
Fall competitions will be offered in an Online Virtual Format due to continuing health concerns related to the coronavirus. We plan to return to our LIVE Competition Model for the Spring.
PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Perform onstage in front of a live audience at one of our 17 competition locations
PORTFOLIO BUILDING
Develop singing skills while taking part in a national competition
GRADUATION ADVANTAGE
Strengthen college applications by showcasing their participation and pursuit of excellence
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Singers compete to be eligible for college scholarship opportunities at each competition location
Our competitions are designed for talented high school sophomore, junior, and senior singers around the country.
The Schmidt Vocal Competition offers you the opportunity to showcase your talent, learn from renowned artists, and earn cash awards and scholarships.
Competition Details:
Schmidt Vocal Competition
Flex your singing muscles in front of a live audience while soaking up some great voice technique coaching from the best in the business!
Schmidt Vocal Institute
Deep-dive into classical vocal training through this two-week intensive residential program.
Schmidt Vocal Education
Learn from Schmidt’s sensational singers and educators—coming to a school, university or community center near you!
© Copyright 2021 Schmidt Vocal Arts | All Rights Reserved.
"Schmidt Vocal Arts gave me the encouragement to keep going. Putting the competition on my resume was extremely helpful. When I went to apply for college, the administrators and teachers saw that I had sought out these opportunities for myself and was rewarded for my work. Especially in the competitive process of applying to music schools, it is important now to have everything— not only dedication to the craft, but also a hard work ethic, a go-getter attitude and willingness to receive good and bad feedback."
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Emily Pogorelc, Soprano
First Place, 2013
From Milwaukee Wisconsin
Interested in Competing?
Take the First Step and Learn More About Our Competition
If you're ready to sign-up for a competition near you, Apply Online Today
Georgia State
University
Atlanta, Georgia
Competition Date: March 7, 2020
Application Deadline: Feb. 22, 2020
North Carolina
School of the Arts
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Competition Date: March 14, 2020
Application Deadline: Feb. 29, 2020
Friends, family, and teachers are encouraged to attend.
Competition Day Schedule
8:15am | Registration Begins |
9:00am | Welcome / Announcements |
9:10am | First Round Competition (Audition times are assigned by travel time and date your application was received) |
12:45pm | Lunch Break |
2:00pm | Master Class (Three singers are chosen from the first round) |
3:15pm | Announcement of Finalists |
3:30pm | Final Round Begins |
4:15pm | Adjudicator Deliberation Performances by former winners and students of the host university |
5:00pm | Awards Ceremony, Distribution of Comments, and Consultations with Adjudicators |
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Space is limited to 30 singers per competition.
Apply Early. Last year’s competitions filled up quickly and had waiting lists!
Don’t miss your chance to compete!
"In the competitive process of applying to music schools, it is important now to have everything— not only dedication to the craft, but also a hard work ethic, a go-getter attitude and willingness to receive good and bad feedback."
Emily Pogorelc, Soprano
First Place, 2013 - Milwaukee Wisconsin
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Competition Date: April 4, 2020
Application Deadline: March 21, 2020
University of
Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Competition Date: April 18, 2020
Application Deadline: April 4, 2020
Southeast
North Central
Northeast
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Competition Date: March 14, 2020
Application Deadline: February 29, 2020
New England Conservatory of Music
Boston, Massachusetts
Competition Date: May 3, 2020
Application Deadline: April 19, 2020
West
University of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Competition Date: March 14, 2020
Application Deadline: February 29, 2020
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Competition Date: March 28, 2020
Application Deadline: March 14, 2020
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington
Competition Date: May 9, 2020
Application Deadline: April 25, 2020
Where is she now?
Today, Emily continues to wow audiences around the world. She is currently an ensemble member of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, giving her the opportunity to perform numerous roles and repertoire.
Upcoming Competition in The Southeast
Cash Awards and Scholarships
Winners in each competition receive the following cash awards:
Matching Scholarships with Host Organizations
Should you place among the top three winners at the competition, you may also qualify for a $4,000 matching scholarship to the host institution where you compete. Applicants must apply and meet university requirements, and a matching scholarship must be provided by the host institution. Scholarships will be dispersed over four years of study ($1,000 per year).
EACH YEAR, SCHMIDT VOCAL ARTS GIVES AWAY OVER $450,000 IN CASH AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
Deadlines & Rules
Eligibility
High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors recommended by their choral directors or vocal teachers are eligible to compete. Singers are allowed to enter only one Schmidt Vocal Competition per competition season.
Participants are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of $50 after submitting an application. Applications will be considered complete when both the fee and private teacher recommendations have been received. For special financial consideration, please make requests to: info@schmidtvocalarts.org.
For the full list of rules, regulations, and eligibility, download our info packet now.
One Competition per Season
Schmidt participants are required to wait until the next competition season before competing in another Schmidt Vocal Competition event. The competition season runs from September to June. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from the competition. First place winners of the Schmidt Vocal Competition are not allowed to compete in future Schmidt Vocal Competitions.
Application Deadlines
Applications are due two weeks prior to the competition date.
Master Classes with Renowned Singers and Teachers
As part of the competition, our young artists have the opportunity to participate in or observe master classes with our distinguished panel of world-renowned singers and educators. Master clinicians will demonstrate ways to improve performance practice, interpretation of song, and vocal technique. In addition, each competitor will receive written feedback from the adjudicators after the awards ceremony. Adjudicators will be present for a time period following the competition to visit with the students and explain their comments. This is a great opportunity to meet and talk with these professional artists!
If you love to sing or are considering a career in the arts, Schmidt Vocal Competition is a great next step toward achieving your dreams.
- or -
Schmidt Vocal Arts
6 East 5th Street
Suite 406
Covington, KY 41011
(513) 783-2583
Hint: If you’re interested in one of our host institutions for your undergraduate education, consider competing at that location for a chance to win our matching scholarship.
At our Live competitions, while you’re there, take a campus tour, enjoy a performance, and discover a new city!
About Schmidt Vocal Arts
William E. Schmidt had a vision for creating opportunities for young singers that propel them on their journey toward a career in the arts. Together with his extended family, he formed the William E. Schmidt Foundation in 1992.
Among the Foundation’s funding goals was a commitment to fostering young students’ passion for classical singing. This commitment led to several successful programs and ultimately the creation of Schmidt Vocal Arts, the umbrella entity that includes the popular Schmidt Vocal Competition, Schmidt Vocal Institute, and a number of scholarship opportunities for young singers.