Vocal Competition
Awards
Senior Vocal/Harvey division
For women singers aged 23-30, resident of (home or school address in) Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, or Iowa. Age and status determined as of application deadline date. Previous winners of the Harvey division (either of the prizes) are ineligible to compete again. Previous winners of the Newfield, Nerenberg and/or Farwell Trust Awards are eligible to compete for a Harvey Award.
1st Prize: Lynne Cooper Harvey Foundation Award
$10,000 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance
2nd Prize: Lynne Harvey Foundation Award in honor of her sister, Virginia Cooper Maier
$7,500 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance
Junior Vocal Division
For women singers aged 18-22, resident of (home or school address in) Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, or Minnesota. Age and status determined as of application deadline date. Previous winners of a Newfield or Nerenberg vocal award are ineligible to compete again in the Newfield division. Previous Farwell Trust Award winners are eligible to compete for a Newfield division award. Judges reserve the right to withhold an award.
Edith Newfield Award
$5,000 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance
Nerenberg Award
Up to $2,500 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance
Farwell Trust Award(s)
Farwell awards are discretionary awards which may be given to singers in either division not awarded a Harvey, Newfield or Nerenberg award. Winners are determined as worthy of support by the judges as well as members of the Board of Directors. This award amount is flexible and will depend on the amount made available to MCW by the Farwell Trust. Winners will also receive MCW membership and may be scheduled for an MCW-hosted public performance.
Carefully review the information about Demonstration of Financial Need in the Awards Information drop down. Submission of Demonstration of Financial need is required to win a Farwell award.
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Audition Repertoire Requirements
Applicants should determine one list of repertoire for the whole competition which satisfies all the requirements of their division. Applicants may select FROM THIS COMPLETE LIST those musical selections they wish to submit for the preliminary round audition video.
Audition videos are to be a minimum of 10 minutes, to a maximum of 12 minutes total in length. Applicants are advised to take advantage of the allotment to demonstrate as broad a range of artistry, variety, and technical skill as possible. Applicants may decide to perform portions of some repertoire to demonstrate more range, but at least one work must be performed in its entirety. Because of the length restriction, it is possible that not all rep requirements will be met within the video, but the repertoire submitted must be drawn from their list of repertoire which fulfills all the requirements, and which they would present at the finals.
At the final in-person round, judges will choose from candidates’ rep lists which selections they will hear during the 12 minute audition window. Candidates will not be notified ahead of time which musical selections they will be asked to perform.
All music shall be performed with accompaniment as applicable (orchestral reductions with cuts, etc, are acceptable), for all rounds of competition.
MCW has recently reviewed its repertoire requirements to reflect the values of our time; as such, candidates must include a composition by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC (black/indigenous/person of color).
We STRONGLY RECOMMEND that, if applicants have any questions about whether their chosen repertoire satisfies the repertoire requirements, they email the Awards Officer at scholarshipmcw@gmail.com to make sure, well in advance of materials being due.
Voice - Senior Vocal/Harvey Division
Overall, the following criteria must be met by the chosen repertoire:
Three or more selections from the list below, for a program a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 minutes of music
At least one selection must be in English
At least one non-English language selection must be included
At least one selection by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/Person of Color) must be included
Selections must include one of the following:
Complete operatic aria sung in the original language and key (memorization required)
Complete oratorio or cantata aria sung in the original language and key (memorization not required)
And at least one of the following (memorization required):
Song in Italian from the 17th-19th centuries
Song in German from the Classical, Romantic, or Modern era
Song in French from the Classical, Romantic, or Modern era
Song in English from the Classical, Romantic, or Modern era (may be a musical theatre
selection)
Beyond meeting these requirements, applicants may choose to add additional songs in another language, or the other style of aria, to complete their audition repertoire list.
Voice - Junior Vocal Division
Overall, the following criteria must be met by the chosen repertoire:
Three or more selections from the list below, sung in their entirety, for a program totaling a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 minutes of music
At least one selection must be in English
At least one non-English language selection must be included
At least one selection by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC (black/indigenous/person of color) must be included
Choose from the following (memorization required unless otherwise specified):
Song in Italian from the 17th-19th centuries
Song in German
Song in French
Song in English (may be a musical theatre selection)
Operatic aria sung in the original language and key
Oratorio or cantata aria sung in the original language and key (memorization not
required)
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Contact Awards Officer Jean Joslyn with any questions: scholarshipmcw@gmail.com