Annual Collegiate Vocal Competition

The Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition provides an opportunity for the finest student vocalists being trained full-time at Greater Grand Rapids area colleges and universities to compete in a professional competition and to be recognized for excellence by a professional opera company.

Chelsea Helm Takes 1st Place in Opera Grand Rapids’ Annual Collegiate Vocal Competition Hope College and Grand Valley State Students Claim 2nd & 3rd Place

A record number of students entered Opera Grand Rapids’ annual Collegiate Vocal Competition. Only nine though made it to the competition’s Final Round Concert on Sunday, April 14 at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center.

At the end of the parade of opera’s best arias though one student emerged as West Michigan’s leading young soprano, Chelsea Helm of Western Michigan University. Andrea Fleming of Grand Valley State University claimed second place, and Hope College’s Jenna Buck took home third place.

Nearly 200 people turned out Sunday evening for the free final round concert at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center.

The annual provides an opportunity for the finest student vocalists being trained full-time at Greater Grand Rapids area colleges and universities to compete in a professional competition and to be recognized for excellence by a professional opera company.

Chelsea Helm Western Michigan University
FIRST PLACE

Andrea Fleming Grand Valley State University
SECOND PLACE

Jenna Buck Hope College
THIRD PLACE

2013
Final Round Contestants:

Division 1 Finalists:
Andrea Fleming
Grand Valley State University
Emalie Huber
Grand Valley State University
Zachary Lutes
Grand Rapids Community College
Jenna Buck
Hope College
Chelsea LaJoye
Calvin College
Chelsea Helm
Western Michigan University
Sarah Mikulski
Western Michigan University
Brian Schneider
Western Michigan University
Ema Katrovas
Western Michigan University

Division 2 winner:
Alicia Renney
Western Michigan University

Division I registration kit with poster
Division II registration kit with poster

2013 Division I Competition

Division I registration kit with poster
Rules
DIV I Application
Poster

Division I Eligibility

• Be a full-time student at Aquinas College, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, or Western Michigan University.
  
  
• Be between the ages of 17-25 on the date of the Final Round. (A photocopy of your birth certificate, passport or other legal document verifying your age must be included with your application.)
  
  
• Be recommended by a music professional, such as a private instructor, coach or other professor.
  
  
• Not have previously won Division 1 First Prize in this competition.

Division I First Prize:        $500
Division I Second Prize:   $375
Division I Third Prize:       $250

Division I Repertoire
Entrants must submit the titles and composers of two arias in differing styles, languages, and composers from opera and/or operetta that they will be prepared to perform in each round of the competition. Entrant must perform the same repertoire in each round. If the entrant is using the OGR resident pianist, no repertoire changes will be permitted after the application is submitted.

Division I Preliminary Round
4pm, Friday, March 1, 2013
the Betty Van Andel Opera Center

A panel of local voice professionals will judge the preliminary round and select singers to move on to the Final Round. All entrants will receive results of the preliminary round and copies of their adjudication sheets within a week of the preliminary round. Finalists will be contacted by phone.

Division I Final Round Concert
7pm, Sunday, April 14, 2013
the Betty Van Andel Opera Center

A panel of music professionals will judge the Final Round, which will be open to the public. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded immediately following the concert and light reception. There will be an opportunity for each participant to receive verbal feedback from the judges following the award ceremony.

2013 Division II Competition

Division II registration kit with poster
Rules
DIV II Application
Poster

Division II Eligibility

• Be a full-time student at Aquinas College, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, or Western Michigan University.
  
  
• Must be between the ages of 17-23 on the date of the Final Round having had 4 semesters or fewer of formal collegiate vocal training.
  (A photocopy of your birth certificate, passport or other legal document verifying your age must be included with your application.)
  
  
• Be recommended by a music professional, such as a private instructor, coach or other professor.
  
  
• Not have previously won Division II in this competition.

Division II Prize:     $100

Division II Repertoire
Entrants must prepare one work. Entrants must submit the title and composer of the aria from opera and/or operetta. If the entrant is using the OGR resident pianist, no repertoire changes will be permitted after the application is submitted.

Division II Preliminary Round
4pm, Friday, March 1, 2013
the Betty Van Andel Opera Center

A panel of local voice professionals will judge the preliminary round and select singers to move on to the Final Round. All entrants will receive results of the preliminary round and copies of their adjudication sheets within a week of the preliminary round. Finalists will be contacted by phone.

Division II Final Round Concert
7pm, Sunday, April 14, 2013
the Betty Van Andel Opera Center

A panel of music professionals will judge the Final Round, which will be open to the public. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded immediately following the concert and light reception. There will be an opportunity for each participant to receive verbal feedback from the judges following the award ceremony.

For registration, payment or eligibility questions contact Darla at 616.451.2741 ext. 106
or at dwortley@operagr.com