The Association of English Singers & Speakers - Competitions
The Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Prize (2011 given as an example - 2012 prospectus 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. For further information please read, Ideas on the 'Themed' Programme (PDF).
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 prize is open to young singers who are between the ages of 13 and 18 on or before the date of the final, 20th November 2011.
Prizes:
First Prize - £300 sponsored by Catherine Lambert.
Second Prize - £200 sponsored by Catherine Lambert.
Third Prize - £100 sponsored by Coral Gould.
A prize of £200 has been donated anonymously for the best spoken element in the programme.
The Competition:
The competition will be in two stages.
Stage One:
There will be two preliminary sessions on Sunday 13th November in London and Lincoln. 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.
Stage Two:
The final will be held at 2.00pm on Sunday 20th November at The Minster School, Lincoln. 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 Friday 28th October 2011.
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
2010 - Rosanna Cooper
2011 - Elizabeth Thomas
Enquiries:
The administrator for the Competition is Carolyn Richards, 29 Petersfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4EP Tel. 07768 086 123. E-mail. Singer7306@aol.com.
The Courtney Kenny Award 2012:
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 musical theatre). 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. For further information please read, Ideas on the 'Themed' Programme (PDF); whilst this was written as advice for the Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Prize it is equally applicable to the Courtney Kenny Award.
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 2012 this is 11th 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 a preliminary sessions on Sunday March 4th at Taggs Yard, Barnes, London. 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 of Tonbridge School in Kent on the afternoon of Sunday March 11th 2012.
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 24th 2012.
Entry Form:
To view the following you will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or an alternative PDF viewer.
Previous Prize Winners:
2010 - Angharad Lyddon
2011 - Raphaela Papadakis
Enquiries:
Stephen Miles, The Well House, 20 Barney Road, Fulmodestone, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0AT. Telephone: 01328 878 364. Mobile: 07767 688 514. E-mail: miles.s.j@btinternet.com.
The Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition (2011 given as an example - 2012 prospectus available in March):
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. For further information please read, Ideas on the 'Themed' Programme (PDF); whilst this was written as advice for the Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Prize it is equally applicable to the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition.
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 members and to students who are pupils of members of the Association.
Age Limit:
Open to those who are 23 - 32 years of age on 25th May 2011.
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 Trinity Laban Conservatoire on May 15th and 22nd 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 in the Peacock Room at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire on Wednesday May 25th 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 6th May 2011.
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.