The Association of English Singers & Speakers - Competitions
The Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Prize 2009 (2009 given as an example - 2010 prospectus will be available in September):
Purpose:
The purpose of the AESS Junior Recital Competition, in accordance with the general aims of the AESS, is "to encourage the communication of English words, in singing and in speech, with clarity, understanding and imagination".
Requirement:
Competitors are asked to present and sing a themed recital of classical 'Art' songs with original English texts. (N.B.'Art' songs does NOT include opera, oratorio, operetta or musicals). The integrated programme may include spoken links and should contain at least one piece of poetry or prose. The programme should not exceed 15 minutes in total. Candidates should provide their own accompanist. The entire programme must be delivered from memory in both rounds.
Eligibility:
The competition is open to young singers resident in the UK and Ireland. Junior Conservatoires and specialist Music Schools may nominate candidates. The competition is also open to students who are pupils of members of the Association and schools where there is a link with the Association.
Age Limit:
The competition is open to young singers between the ages of 13 and 18 on the 23rd October 2009 (the upper age limit applying to those not yet in higher education).
Prizes:
First Prize - £300 sponsored by Catherine Lambert.
Second Prize - £200 sponsored by Catherine Lambert.
Third Prize - £100 sponsored by Coral Gould.
The Competition:
The competition will be in two stages.
Stage One:
There will be two preliminary sessions on November 1st in Birmingham and London. Candidates should state a preference for a particular venue, if they have one, although this cannot necessarily be guaranteed. The panel of judges will be drawn from members of the Association, who have not themselves submitted candidates. They will select a maximum of eight competitors for the final, which will be held on the afternoon of Sunday November 22nd at St. Paul's Girls' School in London.
Stage Two:
The finalists will be announced after the preliminary auditions are complete. The winner of the competition will be offered a masterclass for their school or college from an AESS member in addition to the prize.
Entry:
A nominal, non-refundable, entry fee of £15.00 is charged to cover administrative expenses. Entries must be made on the official forms provided and must be received no later than October 23rd 2009.
Entry Form:
To view the following you will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or an alternative PDF viewer.
Previous Prize Winners:
2002 - Elena Anastopoulos
2003 - Kirsten Barker
2004 - Soraya Mafi
2005 - NO COMPETITION
2006 - Alex Knox
2007 - Harriet Eyley
2008 - Mary Galloway
2009 - Thomas Payne
Enquiries:
The administrator for the Competition is Carolyn Richards, 29 Petersfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4EP Tel. 01245 440 004. E-mail. Singer7306@aol.com.
The Courtney Kenny Award 2010:
Purpose:
The purpose of the AESS Courtney Kenny Award, in accordance with the general aims of the AESS, is "to encourage the communication of English words, in singing and in speech, with clarity, understanding and imagination".
Requirement:
Competitors are asked to present and sing a themed recital of classical 'Art' songs with original English texts. (N.B.'Art' songs does NOT include opera, oratorio, operetta or musicals). The integrated programme may include spoken links and should contain at least one piece of poetry or prose. The programme should not exceed 20 minutes in total. Candidates should provide their own accompanist. The entire programme must be delivered from memory in both rounds.
Eligibility:
The competition is open to young singers aged 18 to 23. The application form must be signed by an AESS member.
Age Limit:
Singers, together with pianists eligible for the accompanists' prize, should be in the above age-range on or before the date of the final. In 2010 this is 14th March.
Prizes:
First Prize - £1,000
Second Prize - £500
Third Prize - £500
Accompanists' Prize - £500
The Competition:
The competition will be in two stages.
Stage One:
There will be two preliminary sessions on Sunday 7th.March 2010 in Whitgift School, Croydon and Leeds College of Music. Candidates should state a preference for a particular venue, if they have one, although this cannot necessarily be guaranteed. The panel of judges will be drawn from members of the Association, who have not themselves submitted candidates. They will select a maximum of 6 competitors for the final.
Stage Two:
The final will be held in the recital room at Tonbridge School, Kent, on the afternoon of Sunday March 14th 2010
Expenses:
Competitors will be expected to defray their own expenses for the first stage. Standard class travel expenses will be offered to finalists travelling to London.
Entry:
A nominal, non-refundable, entry fee of £20.00 is charged to cover administrative expenses. Entries must be made on the official forms provided and must be received no later than February 12th. 2010.
Entry Form:
To view the following you will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or an alternative PDF viewer.
Enquiries:
Stephen Miles, The Well House, 20 Barney Road, Fulmodestone, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0AT. Tel. 01328 878 364. E-mail. miles.s.j@btinternet.com.
The Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition 2010:
Purpose:
The purpose of the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition, in accordance with the aims of the AESS, is "to encourage the communication of English words, in singing and in speech, with clarity, understanding and imagination".
Requirement:
Competitors are asked to present and sing a themed recital of 'Art'songs with original English texts. The integrated programme may include spoken links and should contain at least one piece of poetry or prose. It should not exceed 20 minutes in total. Candidates are required to bring their own accompanist.
The same programme must be delivered from memory in its entirety in both rounds. (A high number of entrants might necessitate that one song be omitted in the preliminary round.)
Eligibility:
The competition is open to full-time students at institutions of further education in the UK and Ireland where singing or speech are taught. Each institution may nominate up to four candidates but may at the discretion of the committee be allowed further candidates if they are of a very high standard. Also, the competition is open to students who are pupils of members of the Association.
Age Limit:
Open to those who are 23 - 32 years of age on 12th May 2010.
Prizes:
First Prize - £2,000
Second Prize - £1,000
Third Prize - £1,000
Accompanist’s Prize - £1,000
The Competition:
The competition will be in two stages.
Stage One:
There will be two preliminary sessions at the Royal College of Music on May 2nd and 9th from 10.00am -5.00pm (depending upon the number of applicants, there may be only one session). Candidates should state a preference for a particular date or time, if they have one, (please check this with your accompanist first), although this cannot necessarily be guaranteed. Candidates from institutions outside London will be expected to defray their own travelling expenses for this round. The panel of judges is drawn from members of the Association who have not themselves submitted candidates. They will select up to six competitors from this round to compete in the final.
Stage Two:
The final will be held at the Royal College of Music on Wednesday May 12th beginning at 6.00pm.
Expenses:
Competitors will be expected to defray their own expenses for the first stage. Standard class travel expenses will be offered to finalists travelling to London.
Entry:
A nominal, non-refundable, entry fee of £20.00 is charged to cover administrative expenses. Entries must be made on the official forms provided and must be received no later than Friday 23rd April.
Entry Form:
To view the following you will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or an alternative PDF viewer.
Previous Prize Winners:
To view the following you will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or an alternative PDF viewer.
Enquiries:
Stephen Miles, The Well House, 20 Barney Road, Fulmodestone, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0AT. Tel. 01328 878 364. E-mail. miles.s.j@btinternet.com.