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AUDREY ROONEY

VOCAL COMPETITION

The Kentucky Bach Choir invites aspiring singers born on or after March 19, 1993 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

March 18, 2023​

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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

info@kentuckybachchoir.org

Printable Application Form (PDF)

Printable Competition Flyer (PDF)

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 must 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 an encouragement award of $750 each. Eligible singers for the 2023 competition must be born on or after March 19, 1993, and who are not under professional management.

 

2023

 

The biennial Kentucky Bach Choir's Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition will be a live, in-person concert event in 2023. 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. 

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TIMELINE

 

February 26, 2023, midnight - deadline for submissions
March 4, 2023, 2 p.m. - finalists announced
March 18, 2023 2 p.m. - winners announced

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APPLICATION

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The 2023 Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition

Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM 

First Presbyterian Church

Lexington, Kentucky

 

The competition will feature many aspiring young singers:

Winners of the Grand Prize and Encouragement Awards will be announced

at the conclusion of the program.

Congratulations to all of our 2021 finalists!

 

Our Grand Prize Winner of $2,000!

 

Mark Laseter

Tenor

Case Western Reserve

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and Encouragement Awards @ $500 each to:

 

Morgan Balfour, soprano, San Francisco Conservatory

Rhianna Cockrell, mezzo-soprano, Yale University

Raven McMillon, soprano, University of Cincinnati

College-Conservatory of Music

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