KENTUCKYBACHCHOIR

AUDREY ROONEY

VOCAL COMPETITION

The Kentucky Bach Choir invites aspiring singers born on or after April 3, 1991 to compete for a cash prize and an opportunity to perform with the Kentucky Bach Choir.

As a preliminary audition, applicants must submit unedited recordings of themselves singing either two (2) selections by J.S. Bach in original language (at least one in German) or one aria by Bach plus one (1) sacred aria (oratorio, mass, etc.) in the original language by Haydn or Mozart.

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Next Competition

April 24, 2021

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Since its founding in 2007, the Kentucky Bach Choir, through its performances in Lexington and throughout Central Kentucky, continues to grow and develop in its mission to present the great masterworks of Johann Sebastian Bach and composers of like stature. The choir has provided professional performing opportunities for Central Kentucky-based singers and instrumentalists.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Printable Application Form (PDF)

Printable Competition Flyer (PDF)

Past Winners

Advocating for the Gifted Singer

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In 2011, the Kentucky Bach Choir initiated a vocal competition to encourage the study and performance of the solo vocal repertoire of J. S. Bach. For the competition, singers submit recordings of themselves performing two arias by Bach and, for the sake of contrast, their choice of an aria by Haydn or Mozart. Finalists chosen from the initial screening are invited to participate in a live competition in Lexington, Kentucky, singing before an audience and a panel of judges. The winner receives a $2,000 grand prize and an opportunity to perform as a featured paid soloist in a subsequent Kentucky Bach Choir season. In addition to the grand prize, up to two singers may be chosen by the judges to receive encouragement awards of $500 each. Eligible singers for the 2021 competition must be born on or after April 3, 1991.

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2021

The biennial Kentucky Bach Choir's Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition will be a virtual event in 2021. Singers will video record and submit two sacred arias from the Baroque or Classical periods, in the language in which the piece was composed: Either two (2) selections by J.S. Bach in original language (at least one in German) or one aria by Bach plus one (1) sacred aria (oratorio, mass, etc.) in the original language by Haydn or Mozart. Submissions will be screened, with up to ten singers advancing to a final round. The initial video will serve as the material for both the preliminary and final rounds. A $2,000 grand prize will be awarded to the winner, as well as an invitation to perform as a featured soloist on the 2021-2022 Kentucky Bach Choir season. Up to two additional $750 encouragement awards may also be granted. The competition is open to singers born on or after April 3, 1991, and who are not under professional management.

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TIMELINE

April 3, midnight - deadline for submissions
April 10, 2 p.m. - finalists announced
April 24, 2 p.m. - winners announced

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APPLICATION FORM