If you have a confirmed audition date and time for the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, you already received this information in an email. But we post it here as well, just to keep it ever-accessible! Here are hopefully all the details any auditioner will need for the 2015 Competition:
What’s At Stake: The First Prize winner of the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal receives $15,000 and the opportunity to perform in OPERA America’s 2016 Emerging Artist Recital Series at The National Opera Center in New York, a live-streamed and recorded event. The Second Prize winner receives $10,000; Third Prize receives $7,500; an Encouragement Award winner receives $3,000 and automatic entry to the 2016 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. All other finalists receive $750.
Audition Location: The 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition auditions and Finals will be held in Engelman Recital Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), located at 55 Lexington Avenue in New York City. Please enter through the 24th Street entrance, as the 25th Street entrance will be closed. For bus or subway directions, visit the BPAC website.
Your Arrival Time: Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled audition. Dressing rooms are available. A warm-up space with piano is available but not private.
You Must Bring With You:
1. 3 copies of your current resume
2. 1 copy of your headshot
3. Photocopies of the sheet music for your 6 listed arias, placed in a three-ring binder. No loose music, no stapled music, and no plastic sleeves!
Your Aria List: The judges will have a printed score sheet with your arias listed.
Contacting The Competition Director: During the audition rounds, email is our primary mode of contact, so please add Competition Director Lisa Gray's email address to your non-spam list: lisa@jensenfoundation.org. In case of emergencies the week of the competition, please call Lisa at 704-641-4691 or email her.
Audition Tips: The judges encourage careful thought to the use of the stage and the demonstration of your dramatic skills during your audition. Business or semi-formal attire for both the preliminary audition and the Finals are recommended.
Are You A Finalist? Finalists will be chosen Thursday evening, May 21, after the last audition has been heard. If you are a finalist, you will receive a call before 10 PM that evening. Please make sure you are available to receive our call! We must confirm your performance time for the final round on Saturday, May 23. You MUST BE AVAILABLE on Saturday, May 23 from 10 AM to 4 PM.
If You Are Not A Finalist: On Friday, you will receive an email confirming the list of finalists and encouraging you to attend the Finals. This event is free and open to the public. The Finals performances begin on Saturday, May 23 at 11 AM and are typically complete by 2 PM. While the judges deliberate, we will have a short program for all attendees entitled “Financial Planning Tips for Starving Artists.” The awards ceremony will begin at approximately 2:30 PM, after which the Finals Judges will be available for a Question-and-Answer panel.
Cancelling Your Audition: If you are unable to audition, please contact Competition Director Lisa Gray immediately by email at lisa@jensenfoundation.org or by phone at 704-641-4691.
Toi Toi Toi to all our 2015 singers!