Competition 411

Welcome! The 2024 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition will be held in New York City May 20-25. The deadline for 2024 applications was Sunday, March 17. Over the coming weeks, staff will review applications and schedule auditions. Those singers invited to audition and those waitlisted will be notified by Sunday, April 21st. Good luck to all our 2024 applicants!

2024 AWARDS  Grant awards for the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition are:

• First place - $15,000

• Second place - $10,000

• Third place - $7,500

• Munday Encouragement Award - $3,000 and automatic entry into the 2025 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

• Remaining finalists - $750

2024 ELIGIBILITY To be eligible to compete, singers:

• must not be a previous first-, second-, or third-place award winner of the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition;

• must have been a permanent legal resident of the United States for at least one year on the first day of the competition, May 20, 2024;

• must be at least 25 years old by the first day of the competition, May 20, 2024, and no older than 35 years at the competition’s end, May 25, 2024;

• must not be a past or current recipient of a contract for a principal role with an OPERA America Budget Level I company or its international equivalent. Cover, chorus, and comprimario roles with Level 1 companies are acceptable.

• must submit a completed application online by the deadline of Sunday, March 17, 2024.

2024 APPLICATION FEE $25, non-refundable. 

MATERIALS REQUIRED In addition to completing the application on Yaptracker, each applicant must:

• be a legal resident of the United States. As proof of residency, applicant must submit a copy of a U.S. passport valid through May 25, 2024; a permanent resident (green) card valid through May 25, 2024; or a U.S. birth certificate;

• provide an up-to-date resume showing opera roles and dates of performances;

• provide a high-resolution digital headshot;

• pay a $25 application fee (non-refundable).

APPLICATION PROCESSING Singers must apply to compete by submitting an online application via Yaptracker. We ask that you prepare five operatic arias: one in Italian, one in French, one in German, one in English, and a fifth in the language of your choice. At least one of your five arias must have been composed after 1980. Here’s a partial list of arias composed since 1980. Oratorio and musical theater selections are not permitted.

PRELIMINARY-ROUND AUDITION SCHEDULING Jensen Foundation staff evaluate all applications, and selected singers are scheduled for Preliminary Round auditions Monday, May 20, 2024 through Thursday, May 25, 2024. All auditions are in-person at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City. Meet our judges for the Preliminary Rounds. Auditioners may opt to use the Jensen Foundation’s professional accompanist or to bring their own. On Thursday evening, May 23, the Jensen Foundation will announce its twelve 2024 Competition Finalists.

Please note: The Jensen Foundation is committed to the health and safety of all participants. Judges, accompanists, staff, and singers will comply with any vaccine or mask requirements stipulated by the Baruch Performing Arts Center and the city of New York.

FINALS COMPETITION The Finals Competition takes place in-person from 1 PM to 5 PM on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center. The Finals Competition will be free and open to the public. Meet our 2024 Finals Judges.

Grant winners are announced at the end of the Finals Competition, and finals judges are available to finalists immediately following the competition to provide feedback. Grant awards will be mailed to finalists the week following the competition.

QUESTIONS? Check out the FAQ, and if you need more information, please contact Lisa V. Gray, Competition Director. Good Luck!