The Association of English Singers & Speakers - Competitions
The AESS competitions are unique in insisting on a strong element of spoken introduction and verse as well as song. The senior competition has been generously sponsored by Miss Patricia Routledge CBE since 2003 and the funding for the Junior Prize has come, up to now, from masterclasses given by the American baritone, Thomas Hampson - funds which have now been used. It is with great pleasure therefore that I can announce that Catherine Lambert, a past chairman and instigator of the senior song competition in 1982 has offered to fund the Junior Recital Prize for the next five years. The AESS is immensely grateful for this generous gesture and has renamed the prize after Catherine.
The Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Prize:
Purpose:
The purpose of the Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Prize, 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 programme should be introduced and include one piece of spoken verse or prose, which could be the text of one of the chosen songs. 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 14 and 19 on the 24th October 2008(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 8th in London and November 16th in Manchester. 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 Saturday November 22nd in Wathen Hall at St Paul's Boys 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 free 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 24th 2008.
Entry Form:
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Previous Prize Winners:
2002 - Elena Anastopoulos
2003 - Kirsten Barker
2004 - Soraya Mafi
2005 - NO COMPETITION
2006 - Alex Knox
2007 - Harriet Eyley
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 Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition (2008 given as an example - 2009 prospectus due in February):
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 programme should be introduced and include at least one piece of spoken verse 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.
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:
The competition is open to men and women who are no more than 32 years of age on 31st May 2008.
Prizes:
First Prize - £1,000
Second Prize - £500
Third Prize - £250
Accompanist’s Prize - £250
The Competition:
The competition will be in two stages.
Stage One:
There will be two preliminary sessions at the Royal Academy of Music on Sunday 4th and Sunday 11th May. Candidates should state a preference for a particular date, if they have one, 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 five competitors from this round to compete in the final round in London, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 14th May, at Royal Academy of Music.
Stage Two:
The finalists will be announced after the preliminary auditions are complete.
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 31st March.
Entry Form:
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Jury:
Marie Hayward, Judy Hildesley, Stephen Varcoe and Mark Wilde.
Previous Prize Winners:
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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.