This competition has been established to help singers develop their career by giving young performers the opportunity to experience the joy of collaborative singing with an orchestra and chorus. The Competition is open to unmanaged American singers with an interest in oratorio repertoire.

Finalists will be invited to participate in coaching sessions, masterclasses, and rehearsals that will be open to the public during the 90th Annual Bach Festival in Winter Park, FL. Competition finals will take place at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, during the week of February 16, 2025.

Finalists will sing in the final concert on February 20, 2025, with orchestra, at Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide an opportunity for young American singers to engage more deeply with oratorio literature. By creating this competition, we hope to inspire singers to recognize the richness of the repertoire and encourage their artistic development as musicians who have something to say on the concert platform.

Competition Guidelines

  • Open to American singers who are in the early stages of their performance careers. There is NO AGE LIMIT to apply to this competition, but singers must not have professional management.

  • There is NO FEE to apply to this Competition.

  • Application deadline is October 1, 2024.

  • Finalists will be announced by December 1, 2024.

  • Previous artists with the Bach Festival Society are not eligible to apply.

  • Housing will be provided for all finalists.

  • A travel stipend of $400 will be provided to each finalist.

Prizes

First Prize

  • $5,000 cash prize

  • Future solo engagement with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park

  • Future solo engagement with the Messiah Choral Society of Orlando

Second Prize

  • $3,000 cash prize

  • Future solo engagement with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park

Third Prize

  • $1,500 cash prize

Audience Choice Award

  • $500 cash prize

Additionally, every finalist will be given a recording of the Finals Concert that they are free to use for their own publicity needs.

How to apply

Please submit:

  • Completed Application Form

  • One-page professional resume

  • One-page professional biography

  • Video(s) of applicant singing from the following repertoire (Use unlisted YouTube links)

    • One aria by J.S. Bach

    • One aria from Handel’s Messiah

    • One additional aria from an oratorio.

      • Opera arias and art songs are not acceptable

The first annual Oratorio Competition will open for applications June 1, 2024.

The application deadline is October 1, 2024.

Finalists will be announced on December 1, 2024.

Meet our World Class Judges

Mary Wilson, soprano
Co-Founder and Director

Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano
Co-Founder and Director

John Grau, tenor
Founding Adjudicator

Dashon Burton, baritone
Founding Adjudicator

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are opera arias acceptable?

    • No. This competition is for oratorio repertoire only. Opera arias and song are not suitable submissions for this competition.

  • How should my video audition be formatted?

    • Each video must be a single take, unedited (with the exception of slating/captions to introduce the work), and must have a written caption at the beginning of the video introducing each work. Include your name, voice part, pianist’s name (if applicable), song title, composer, and major work title (if applicable).

    • Place the camera on a stable surface, no handheld shots. Record horizontally. The Competition will not accept any vertical videos.

  • Does repertoire have to be memorized?

    • No. Holding your score is current performance practice in oratorio.

  • Why do I have to submit an aria from Handel’s Messiah?

    • The Messiah is one of the most frequently performed oratorios and is a valuable score to know intimately. In addition, one of the potential prizes may include a solo engagement with the Messiah Choral Society of Orlando.