Charles Wood Virtual Song Competition Launched
Applications for the Charles Wood Song Competition 2021 are now open.
In accordance with UK Government guidelines, it isn't possible to hold a live event this year. However, at a time when young performers need support more than ever, the Charles Wood Festival is delighted to continue providing learning and prize opportunities on a virtual platform.
The Senior Class welcomes applications from singers between the ages of 22 and 28. The First Prize is £1000, the runner up prize is £300 and the Charles Wood Song Prize is £100. The first prize winner will be invited to perform as part of the Festival’s programme in August 2021. Senior Competitors should be post Grade 8 in standard and must prepare a contrasting twenty-minute programme, consisting of one Charles Wood Song, one French song and two German Lieder by different composers.
The Junior Class welcomes applications from singers between the ages of 18 to 21. The First Prize is worth £300, the runner up prize is £100, and the Charles Wood Song Prize is £100. The first prize winner will also be invited to perform as part of the 2021 Charles Wood Festival. Junior Competitors should have achieved at least Grade 8 and must prepare a varied fifteen-minute programme, consisting of one Charles Wood Song, and two other songs, either French or German.
Singers are asked to record their submission in one take, as if performing live with no editing allowed. The recording should be emailed or sent via WeTransfer, with the competition application form and pieces should be clearly listed. The deadline for entries is Monday 15th March at 2pm, with a live award ceremony taking place at 7pm on Thursday 25th March. The entry fee is £25/€30, and payment details are included on the application form.
The jury will consist of the Northern Ireland mezzo-soprano Carolyn Dobbin; the esteemed vocal coach Paul Farrington; and Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle – founder of NI Opera’s Glenarm Festival of Voice and Lord Lieutenant of Belfast.
The winner of last year’s competition was Northern Irish baritone Brian McAlea for his exceptional performance of pieces by Schubert, Brahms and Duparc, as well as an impressive interpretation of ‘At Sea’ by Charles Wood. Second place went to soprano Billie Robson, whose programme included songs by two important female composers, Alma Schindler-Mahler and Lili Boulanger. Billie was also awarded the Charles Wood Song Prize for her beautiful performance of the composer’s setting, ‘At the mid hour of night.’ The winner of the inaugural Junior Class was Aimee Kearney.