Sarasota Opera to Host National Finals of Schmidt Vocal Competition

April 24, 2023 – Sarasota

Sarasota Opera is pleased to host the finals for Schmidt Vocal Arts (SVA) second annual national Schmidt Vocal Competition at Sarasota Opera House June 2-4, 2023. The top three winners from each of 14 regional competitions will compete for a $10,000 first prize. Six Floridians have qualified after competing in four different regional locations. Distinguished judges for this competition are soprano Alyson Cambridge, Detroit Opera Associate Artistic Director/soprano Christine Goerke, and Cincinnati Opera Artistic Director Evans Mirageas. 

Tickets are available to various events of the Schmidt Vocal Competition on June 3 for $15 (Students: $10) and on June 4 for $25 (Students: $10) at SarasotaOpera.org or (941) 328-1300. Visit SarasotaOpera.org for more information. 

Sarasota Opera General Director Richard Russell says, “Introducing young people to the art of singing opera has been an important part of Sarasota Opera’s mission for almost 40 years. William E. Schmidt was a generous supporter of Sarasota Youth Opera which is why we are especially delighted to once again partner with Schmidt Vocal Arts on this event.”

Linda McAlister, SVA’s Executive Director explains, “We are excited to be back at Sarasota Opera this June. Our inaugural event last year was a special one – there’s nothing like having our Schmidt Vocal Arts competitors singing on the stage of the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre!” 

Funded by the William E. Schmidt Foundation, the Schmidt Vocal Competition is an annual event for U.S. high school students that sees 400+ singers compete each year – this season for more than $650K in cash awards and scholarships – just at the critical point in their early careers when they begin to look toward training on a professional level. Listen to 2022 National Adjudicator soprano Tamara Wilson speak about the importance of competitions here.

SVA’s support and resources continue long after the competition. The prize-winners are eligible for need-based scholarships to support their continued study at the university level, and SVA continues to have relationships with many alumni throughout their careers, providing educational, mentoring, and networking opportunities as well as grants for summer study. 

Here’s a video of alumni describing their experiences with the Schmidt Vocal Competition.

SCHMIDT VOCAL COMPETITION – Sarasota Opera House 

Tickets: SarasotaOpera.org or (941) 328-1300

June 3, 2023, 10 a.m.

Semi-Final Competition

Tickets: $15 (Students: $10) 

Singers from across the country will compete for a spot in Sunday’s Final Found. Semi-Final Adjudicators include pianist/coach Margo Garrett, mezzo-soprano Kathryn Hartgrove, tenor Stanford Olsen, soprano Beth Roberts, and bass-baritone Kevin Short. Finalists for the Schmidt Vocal Competition will be announced after the judges’ deliberation.

June 4, 2023, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Master Class / Final Round / Awards Ceremony

Tickets for all events that day: $25 (Students: $10)

Schmidt Vocal Arts Master Class (10:30 a.m.) – Three singers from the Semi-Final round will be chosen to sing in a master class with pianist/coach Margo Garrett, tenor Stanford Olsen, and bass-baritone Kevin Short.

Final Round of Schmidt Vocal Competition (1 p.m.) – Up to 16 Finalists will perform on the Sarasota Opera stage and compete for cash awards, including $10,000 for First Place, $7,500 for Second Place, and $5,000 for Third Place. The Final Round will be adjudicated by celebrated judges, soprano Alyson Cambridge, Detroit Opera Associate Artistic Director/soprano Christine Goerke, and Cincinnati Opera Artistic Director Evans Mirageas. An Awards Ceremony will follow after the judges deliberate.