OPEN CALL FOR INAUGURAL YOUNG QUEER ARTISTS OPERA SCENES CONTEST
Deadline extended to April 26th!
The Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra proudly announces the inaugural Young Queer Artists Opera Scenes Contest! We are looking for expressive and dynamic emerging singers to perform at the June 10th concert. The concert will take place at the legendary Out Front Theatre Company in Midtown Atlanta. The theme for this concert is “Exhilaration” and what better way to highlight that than with opera!
As a queer arts organization and recognition of pride month, we are focusing on the colors and meaning of the pride flag. We are asking each submission to include a brief description of how your musical selection is inspired by one or more of the colors of the progressive pride flag. For more information about the flag and what each color represents, please visit https://www.verywellmind.com/what-the-colors-of-the-new-pride-flag-mean-5189173.
Application Details
Qualifications
- Musical selections must be public domain.
- Singers must be currently studying voice at the undergraduate/graduate level or have graduated within the last year.
- Submissions can be solo or scene. If applying with a scene with multiple singers, all singers in the submitted video must be available for the June 10th concert if their submission is programmed.
- Identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community is preferred, but not required. We are looking to celebrate queerness with this program. Consider this when making repertoire selections. Music selections are not restricted by “traditional gender roles” (i.e. a tenor may sing a song written for soprano).
How to Apply
- All submissions should be emailed to Whittaker Locke at: associateconductor@atlantaphilharmonic.org
- Each submission should include:
- A 3-9 minute video recording of the singer(s) performing their selected scene/aria.
- Name of composer, opera, and scene with a brief written description of how the piece is inspired by one or more of the colors of the pride flag.
- Contact info (names, pronouns, and email) for each performer.
- Performers’ University, major, year, applied teacher
- There is no application fee or submission limit. A performer could submit a piece for each color of the flag if they desire.
- Video submissions can be from a staged opera production, with a collaborative pianist, or unaccompanied if necessary. The panel just needs to hear YOU.
- A Dropbox link or private YouTube link is preferred for the video submissions.
- The deadline for submissions is April 26th.
Up to 6 submissions will be chosen to be performed on this program. Chosen performers must be present for the dress rehearsal on Thursday, June 8th at 7:30pm and the pre-concert sound check on the 10th. An additional rehearsal on Saturday, June 10 may be required. Travel costs are the responsibility of the chosen performers. Any use of costumes, props, or set pieces during the concert performance will also be the responsibility of the chosen performers.
How You Will Be Evaluated
The finalists will have their audition video selection programmed on the June 10th concert. The judging panel will consist of a selection of APO board members. Above all, they will be looking for stage presence, vocal talent, and programmability within the confines of the “rainbow stripes” prompt. How one draws inspiration from the Pride Flag’s colors and their meanings will be a key component in an applicant’s success. For more information on the Pride Flag, please see the above linked article.
Finalists who perform on the June 10th concert will receive a $50 honorarium. A grand prize of $150 will be rewarded to one participant based on an audience vote.
Questions
If you have questions, please contact Whittaker Locke at: associateconductor@atlantaphilharmonic.org