Maryland Concert Opera Announces
Young Vocalists Scholarship Awards

The Maryland Concert Opera, Noel Lester, Artistic Director, announces scholarship awards for young classical vocalists in the spring of 2010. The awards will carry a cash prize of $300 for the students’ continuing vocal studies and a performance at a donors’ dinner sometime in early June. Students who are currently studying classical voice and are between the ages of 17 and 22 as of Dec. 31, 2009, are invited to apply. The specific criteria are as follows:

  1. Awards are open to Frederick County students who have lived here for at least one year as of Dec. 31, 2009.
  2. Students must be studying classical voice with a private teacher or one affiliated with an institution of higher learning.
  3. Students will submit an application with includes the following: a one-page statement about themselves (how long they have studied, where they have studied, what their career goals are, how the scholarship will help, etc.), a letter of recommendation from the teacher with whom they are currently studying, and a CD recording containing 2 numbers (specifics found below). Materials must be sent to: Dr. Noel Lester, Artistic Director, Maryland Concert Opera, 717 Wyngate Dr., Frederick, MD, 21701, and must be postmarked or received no later than Feb. 1, 2010. A panel, including professional concert and opera singers from outside the local area, will review the materials and choose the finalists, who will then be asked to sing a live audition sometime in April.

CD repertoire: the recording should contain two pieces, at least one of which is an aria. They should be in contrasting styles and languages and the timing should not exceed 10 minutes. A typical choice might include a Mozart aria and a Schubert art song, or it could be an Italian art song and an aria in French or German. Failure to meet any of the above requirements will disqualify the candidate.

Please direct any questions to Noel Lester at nlester@hood.edu.