The Mietta Song Recital Award
Rules Information & Advice
Purpose of the Mietta Song Recital Award
The Mietta Song Recital Award promotes the performance and wider appreciation of Art Song in all its diversity.
Format of the Competition
The competition is in three stages:
-
A recording submitted by the singer is auditioned anonymously by a preliminary judging panel.
- Semi-finalists present programs of not more than fifteen minutes each before an audience and the Judges.
- Finalists present programs of between twenty and thirty minutes each before an audience and the Judges, who then make their decision.
As a complementary activity, Master Classes are held in the week of the competition. All semi-finalist are encouraged to participate in the classes.
Judging Criteria
The Judges will take into account the special characteristics of Song Recital as an artistic partnership between singer and pianist and will consider:
-
Understanding of the genre
- Choice of material
- Musicianship
- Technical competence
- Rapport with the audience
- Versatility in program.
Repertoire for the Audition Recording
- All songs presented must have been composed for the voice and piano, or arranged for voice and piano by the composer.
- All songs presented must be sung in the original language.
- Operatic or concert arias or extended dramatic scena are not acceptable.
- Audition recordings for entry in the MSRA must meet the following criteria:
- The entrant must present a set of three contrasting art songs.
- The set must be sung in at least two languages, one of which may be English.
- Each song must be from a different music period, chosen from:
Classical, Romantic, Late Romantic/Impressionist, Contemporary.
- A song cycle may not be included in the audition recording.
Accompanist
Entrants are required to have their own accompanist. A list of Melbourne-based accompanists can be provided on request.
How to Apply
Entries must be received by Wednesday 30 April 2008 at:
The Mietta Song Recital Award
P.O. Box 325
South Yarra VIC 3141
Entries must include the following:
- A completed application form, signed by the applicant and countersigned, as specified on the form.
Application forms will be available here.
- A CD recording of three songs, as specified in the Repertoire section above.
- A list of the songs recorded, together with English texts of each song, and identification of the authors of translations.
- Programs to be performed in the semi-final and final, including the list of songs, duration, and key in which they will be sung.
- Brief written CVs of singer and accompanist, including dates and details of any future engagements.
- An Entry Fee of $40 payable to the Mietta Song Recital Award, in the form of cheque or credit card. (See entry form)
Entry fees are non-refundable except in the event of cancellation of the Award competition.
Notes:
- The CD recording must be no more than six months old
- The CD recording entry format:
- Label the CD case with the contestant's and accompanist's names and addresses, and song titles
- Label the CD itself with song titles only.
- Program repertoire: Songs presented on the audition recording may be repeated in either the semi-final or the final, but no song presented at the semi-final may be repeated in the final.
- Recordings will be returned at the conclusion of the competition only if a suitable stamped self-addressed package is supplied at the time of entry.
Requirements for Semi-final and Final
Texts and photographs:
- Within seven days of notification of selection for the final series, semi-finalists must submit:
- English texts of all songs included in their semi-final and final programs, with acknowledgement of authors of translations.
Texts are to be submitted in electronic form, with two additional printed copies.
- Separate photographs, of postcard to A4 size, of singer and accompanist.
Semi-final program:
- Total performance time must not exceed 15 minutes.
- Songs must be in more than one language.
- The performance of an Australian song is encouraged.
Final program:
- Total performance time must not exceed 30 minutes.
- A song cycle or excerpts from a cycle may be included.
Publicity and promotion:
Semi-finalists and finalists are expected to be available for publicity.
Advice to Entrants -
from the Mietta Song Recital Award Committee
The Audition Recording
CD recording quality is critical. Entries are judged anonymously.
Choosing your program
- Choose works suited to your voice type, which demonstrate your range, diversity and versatility as a performer.
- Present programs that support the aim of the Mietta Song Recital Award.
- Research in detail the context of the works you choose so that you can perform them in an appropriate style.
- Ensure your pronunciation is accurate in all languages chosen.
- Ensure you have sufficient repertoire to form the basis of recitals and concert programs of professional standard, should you be a prize winner.
- Present your audition and your finals program with a focus on your musical partnership.
Key Dates
- Application forms with recordings must be received no later than Wednesday 30 April 2008
- Notification of semi-finalists will be in mid May 2008
- Master Classes will be held in the week commencing 6 July 2008
- Semi-final and final will be held in Melbourne on 12 and 13 July 2008
The Judges' decision is final.
No correspondence will be entered into.
Judges may, at their discretion, withhold or vary any or all of the prizes without explanation.
In the event a winner is unable or unwilling to fulfil their prize obligations, the Committee reserves the right to rescind and/or re-award any or all prizes.
The Award reserves the right to rescind, modify or add to any of the rules and conditions of the competition and the Award committee's interpretation shall be final.
|
|
