2026 Rules & Application

Semi-Finals: Saturday, April 11, 2026, Upper East Side of Manhattan
Finals: Saturday, April 18, 2026, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall

Competition rules

• Application deadline Saturday, January 31, 2026 – FEE $30
  
• Fee increases to $60 starting 12:01 AM ET (New York Time) on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
  
• Late application to Saturday, February 14, 2026 – FEE $60
• Application fee is non-refundable.
• Open to singers of all nationalities born on or after January 1, 1986, who are in the early or emerging phases of their careers.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW —PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

Music listings in your repertoire:
List five (5) arias from the repertoire of oratorio, sacred music, and concerted vocal works. Selections should demonstrate stylistic versatility; submission of works representing a variety of composers, languages, and historical periods is encouraged.

File submissions:
The files below are to be submitted with your application. All files MUST be named and submitted in the formats listed below:

• High-resolution headshot
  (YourLastName_YourFirstName_Headshot.jpg or other photo file format)
• Performance resume
  (YourLastName_YourFirstName_Resume.pdf)
• Proof-of-age (scan of government-issued ID) (YourLastName_YourFirstName_ID.jpg or .pdf)
• Two (2) oratorio aria audio recordings of yourself. These should be either from a live performance or an unedited studio recording. (mp3 only)
  (YourLastName_YourFirstName_AriaTitle.mp3)
  One recording MUST be in English.
  No opera or art song selections will be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to present repertoire that features their strengths and versatility. Any questions about repertoire selection may be directed to solocomp@osny.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the music need to be memorized?

No, you may use your score.

What repertoire is considered acceptable for this application?

Applicants are welcome to submit selections from oratorios, masses, requiems, cantatas, etc. Examples of secular works that are permitted include arias from Semele and Theodora by Handel, Coffee Cantata by Bach, Exsultate, Jubilate by Mozart, excerpts from La Damnation de Faust by Berlioz, solo vocal songs from the symphonies of Mahler (e.g. “Urlicht” and “Das himmlische Leben”), and arias from Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson.

Applicants may NOT submit opera arias, concert arias, art songs, or excerpts from orchestral song cycles. Examples of works that are not approved include Les Nuits d’été by Berlioz, Kindertotenlieder, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, and Das Lied von der Erde by Mahler, Vier letzte Lieder by Strauss, Songs of Travel by Vaughan Williams, and Sea Pictures by Elgar.

These lists are not exhaustive. Any questions regarding repertoire selection may be directed to solocompetition@osny.org

Can my recordings feature organ or orchestral accompaniment or must they be with piano?

Any of these forms of accompaniment is welcome, so long as we can hear your voice clearly. The preliminary judges do not give any preference to one form of accompaniment over another and judges for the live rounds will not have heard your recorded submissions.

Can I sing in Baroque pitch?

The pianos at the semi-final venue and in Weill Hall are tuned to 440 Hz. If you wish to sing at 415, you must provide a fully transposed score to the pianist if invited to the live rounds (contact information will be provided). You are also welcome to bring your own pianist. The inclusion of additional or alternative instruments in the live rounds is not permitted.