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:

  • Open to sophomore, junior, and senior high school singers
  • Held annually in 17 locations throughout the U.S. in partnership with regional colleges and universities
  • Master classes with renowned professionals 
  • Awards ceremony (YouTube Live or live in-person)
  • Winners at each location receive cash awards and are eligible for scholarship opportunities
  • Connect with world-renowned artists and peers from across the country
  • Be a part of the Schmidt Vocal Arts alumni network, which provides opportunities for summer grant funding and alumni-specific programs

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.

Privacy

"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

Apply Now

North Carolina 
School of the Arts
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Competition Date: March 14, 2020
Application Deadline: Feb. 29, 2020

Apply Now

Friends, family, and teachers are encouraged to attend.

Competition Day Schedule

8:15amRegistration Begins
9:00amWelcome / Announcements
9:10amFirst Round Competition (Audition times are assigned by travel time and date your application was received)
12:45pmLunch Break
2:00pmMaster Class (Three singers are chosen from the first round)
3:15pmAnnouncement of Finalists
3:30pmFinal Round Begins
4:15pmAdjudicator Deliberation
Performances by former winners and students of the host university
5:00pmAwards Ceremony, Distribution of Comments, and Consultations with Adjudicators

100% Privacy Guaranteed

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! 

Sign-up today.

"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:

  • First Place, $2,500
  • Second Place, $2,000
  • Third Place, $1,500
  • Finalists, $250
  • Encouragement, $100
  • Most Promising Sophomore, $100

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!

Download the Info Packet

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.

Download the Info PacketApply Now

- or - 

Schmidt Vocal Arts
6 East 5th Street
Suite 406
Covington, KY 41011

(513) 783-2583

info@schmidtvocalarts.org

Download Our Info Packet

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.