The Nico Castel International Master Singer Competition

2013 Nico Castel International Master Singer Competition

The 2013 finalist concert will be held Monday, April 1, 2013. The 2013 competition is now open for applications.

Read about the 2012 competition finalist concert

Read about the 2011 competition finalist concert

Information Flyer (PDF)  

About the Competition

Eligibility

Prizes

Fee & Deadline

Application Requirements

Judges

Apply Now

Soloist Lynn Eustis at Carnegie Hall, DCINY Production, Photography by Stefan Cohen

ABOUT THE COMPETITION: Presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) and the New York Opera Studio (NYOS), the Nico Castel International Master Singer Competition rewards and acknowledges excellent vocal technique and artistry in opera and oratorio.

Eight finalists, four female and four male, selected from the first round of auditions will be invited to perform live in the Master Singer Finalist Concert in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday, April 1, 2013. After the concert one female and one male winner will be named 2013 Nico Castel International Master Singer!

ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to singers at least 21 years old and has no upper age limit.

PRIZES: Each 2013 Nico Castel International Master Singer will be awarded:

• $1000
  
• a soloist role on the DCINY Concert Season in a major choral master work performed with orchestra. DCINY produces high quality concerts in major, world-class venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Disney Hall and others.
  
  

FEE & DEADLINE: There is a $60 application fee. Applications and fees for the January 26, 2013 live audition in New York, NY must be received by Thursday, January 24, 2013. Applications and fees for the February 16, 2013 live audition in Montreal, Canada and online auditions must be received by Friday, February 15, 2013 to be eligible. *All fees are non-refundable.*

LIVE AUDITIONS: : If you want to compete in a live audition, go ahead and register online and select the location and date of the audition (see below). Your performance will be videotaped and uploaded to YouTube if you pass into the first round.

You must provide your own accompanist.

• New York, NY - Saturday, January 26, 2013
• Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Saturday, February 16, 2013

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• completed application form
• $60 application fee
• resume/curriculum vitae
• copy of passport or U.S. driver's license
• short bio
• recent photo (although photo may be in black and white for the initial application, Master Singer finalists will be required to submit COLOR, high-resolution headshots for publicity purposes)


canzone duo at Carnegie Hall, DCINY Production, Joanne Bouknight Photography

• recordings of two (2) oratorio pieces in varying styles and languages and two (2) opera arias in varying styles and languages. Pieces submitted should be appropriate for your voice type. Although video clips are preferable, up to three (3) MP3s are acceptable. However, AT LEAST ONE selection must be a video clip.
  

JUDGES: The Jury for the initial elimination and choice of finalists will include: Nico Castel, Artistic Director and Carol Castel, General Manager of New York Opera Studio; and Iris Derke, General Director and Jonathan Griffith, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Distinguished Concerts International New York.

The Jury for the Master Singer Finalist Concert in New York will include Nico Castel, Jonathan Griffith, and at least two other distinguished members of the musical community.

Meet the Judges

The decisions of the juries will be irrevocable and final.

Finalists and Winners will be responsible for all of their own travel, accommodation and personal expenses. A pianist will be provided at the live auditions, however contestants may bring their own pianist if they prefer.

The Competition reserves the right to choose fewer than eight finalists, should the high standard set by the judges not be represented.

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