Welcome to Kalamazoo Choral Arts. Previously The Kalamazoo Bach Festival, this new title reflects our new mission statement for the organization, defined by our board of directors: “to create, enrich, and transform community through singing.”
This mission embodies three important values that drive our work:
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a clear identity,
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openness to an expanded repertoire and diverse audiences, and
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a core belief in the power of singing to bring people together.
2023 Young Vocalists VIRTUAL Competition
for Michigan High School Students
Submit your recording by March 17!
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3 Different Competition Categories!
3 AWESOME $500 Cash Awards!
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APPLICATION GUIDELINES
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The deadline for submitting applications and videos for round I is Friday, March 17, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST).
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Because of the similarities and crossover in the Musical Theater/Jazz/American Songbook and Contemporary repertoire, The Kalamazoo Bach Festival reserves the right based on piece submission to move a student entry to a different category before any judge has viewed the entry.
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Application form, audition video, and application fee must be submitted together online at KalamazooBachFestival.org. Paper applications or CDs will not be accepted.
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The application fee is $10 USD payable via credit card only
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2023 AWARDS
Total Cash Prizes: $1,500
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First Prize in Classical/Art Song/Opera: $500.00
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First Prize in Musical Theater/Jazz/American Songbook: $500
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First Prize in Contemporary/Pop/Rock/Folk/Hip Hop etc.: $500
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THE COMPETITION
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All materials must be submitted together when you apply.
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All videos must be submitted in at least 1920x1080 resolution (most smartphones already record in this resolution).
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Important! Please dress as if this is a performance. If you are selected as a finalist and do not intend to send a new recording for the finalist’s public concert, this initial video will be the one used for the final competition.
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VIRTUAL CONCERT PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY
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The top nine selected finalists (three from each category) will be featured in the Bach Festival’s Young Vocalist Finalist Virtual Concert on Sunday, April, 23, 2023 at 7 pm, as a premier event on our YouTube Channel.
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Finalists will be announced and notified by phone and email no later than March 27, 2023, 5 pm.
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Finalists may submit a new piece for the final competition and concert by Friday, April 7, 2023 or use their original submission for the final competition.
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Prize winners will be announced at the end of the virtual concert premiered on April 23, 2023
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The first-place winner of each category may be invited to perform live with the Kalamazoo Bach Festival as a featured soloist for its Fall Cabaret event TBD in October, 2023. This will depend on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the soloists’ schedule allows.
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ELIGIBILITY
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You must be currently enrolled in a Michigan High School or Home School in the state of Michigan.
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You may compete in more than one category but you must enter with a different piece of music.
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Only one entry per category. You may not win first place two years in a row in the same category.
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REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
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The time limit is 7 minutes per song.
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Entrants may prepare one song from each of the competition categories for a maximum of three entered songs.