Application Now Live To Compete in the 26th Annual Jensen Competition
POSTED 20 Dec 2025 – The Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications to compete in the 2026 competition taking place May 18-23, at Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City. Judges will hear 100 singers in the Preliminary Round and choose twelve singers to compete in the Final Round of the competition at noon on Saturday, May 23.
Singers auditioning for the 2026 Jensen Competition will prepare five operatic arias: one in Italian, one in French, one in German, one in English, and a fifth in the language of their choice. At least one of the five arias must have been composed after 2000.
2026 Finalists compete for:
First Place - $15,000
Second Place - $10,000
Facing Forward Award - $10,000 (for the finest performance of a 21st-century aria)
Third Place - $7,500
Munday Encouragement Award - $3,000
Remaining finalists win $750
The application deadline is Sunday, March 15, 2026, and readers can learn about 2026 eligibility requirements here.
About the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation
The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, a Donor Advised Fund of Foundation For The Carolinas, was established by Lavinia Jensen in honor of her late husband, Fritz. Their lifelong love for the arts has benefited many musicians and musical organizations. The Foundation continues their philanthropic passion for the musical arts by supporting young artists pursuing a career in opera. The centerpiece of The Jensen Foundation’s work is the annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Since the Competition’s inception in 2000, 461 singers have received more than $985,000 in support.
