Entry Deadline:
February 20, 2012

Registration Fee: $45

Preliminary Round:
by recording adjudicated by ROS Artistic Director, Eric Townell

Semi-Final and Final Rounds:
in Rochester, NY

Semi-Final Round:
March 30, 2012

Final Round:
March 31, 2012

Still Have a Question?

If you have additional questions, please contact the event administrator at the Rochester Oratorio Society:
     Jo Ann Lampman
     E-Mail: jlampman@ROSsings.org
     Phone: (585) 473-2234
     Office Hours: M - Th, 2 - 6 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry Recording Selections

Audio work samples should consist of two to five short excerpts of repertoire of your choice from the operatic, oratorio, art song, or musical theatre genres, chosen to represent your best work in a variety of styles, not to exceed 15 minutes in total duration. The ideal audition recording would include several selections of two to five minutes each, in contrasting styles, unedited except for length. Your recording should not be otherwise enhanced or processed in any way. Compile these selections into a single file for electronic submission according to the instructions found on the entry form.

Preliminary Judging

Preliminary round recordings are reviewed by ROS Music Director, Eric Townell or his designate. Criteria for the preliminary round are based upon presentation of skill and repertoire level commensurate with the early stages of a professional vocal performance career including:

• quality of tone
• quality of legato line
• difficulty and appropriateness of repertoire
• accuracy of intonation and diction
• quality of vocal technique and facility

Advancement

Approximately twenty-four contestants advance to the semi-final round held on March 30, 2012 in Rochester, New York. Notification will be by e-mail with a subsequent confirmation by U.S. mail.

The Semi-Final Round

Contestants should be prepared to perform two selections, totaling up to seven minutes, before a judges panel consisting of three to five vocal performance and musical theater professionals. The panel will include ROS Music Director, Eric Townell and/or his designates.

Music Selection for the Semi-Finals

You may perform selections that are different than your entry recording.  You may choose the first selection to perform; the panel may opt to hear the second selection.

Criteria for the Semi-Final Round Judging

The judges will evaluate:

• quality of tone
• quality of legato line
• difficulty and appropriateness of repertoire
• accuracy of intonation and diction
• vocal technique and facility
• appropriateness of physical gesture and use of space
• professional comportment and relationship with the accompanist and judges panel

Notification of the Finalists

All contestants will be notified by telephone after the completion of the semi-finals round. Finalists will be advised of their final round repertoire, the time and location of the next day's rehearsal with the accompanist, and the call time and location for the performance the next evening.

The Final Round

Approximately ten contestants will sing on Saturday evening, March 31, 2012 before a live audience.  The judges panel reserves the right to select the repertoire for the final program. As contestants will have been given every opportunity to identify their choice of competition repertoire, this decision is not open to appeal. In every case, except where duplication occurs, the contestant will be assigned his or her strongest selection.

Final rehearsal

A final, twenty-minute rehearsal session with the accompanist will be held on the morning of Saturday March 31, 2012. At that time, artists will have the opportunity to fine tune performance details for the evening competition round.

Final Round Procedures

Contestants should prepare a brief introduction of their piece for the audience. After the performance, the judges panel is invited and encouraged to offer commentary.  Judges typically offer direct, tactful and constructive observations on the nature of the performance and the artist's strengths and weaknesses. As contestants have noted every year, this is an extremely valuable aspect of Classical Idol.

Attire

For the semi-final round, dressy business/casual or semi-formal attire is appropriate. The final round of the competition is a festive, dressy recital event before a live, paying audience. Formal or semi-formal concert attire is appropriate, although black is not required.

The Atmosphere

Although the rules above may appear rigorous and will be strictly observed, participants every year report that Classical Idol is a fairly relaxed, congenial and artistically gratifying event. The Rochester Oratorio Society staff and ROS Classical Idol competition volunteers make every effort to ensure that artists have a successful and enjoyable professional experience. Participants are advised that their relationships with competition staff, accompanists, judges and colleagues should be considerate and professional at all times.

Getting Assistance

The ROS will appoint volunteer Contestant Representatives to assist you. If some aspect of the competition falls short of your expectations or requirements, you will have access to a volunteer representative to handle communications and remediation for you. You will meet this person upon arrival at the semi-final round, and you will have their contact information for your use during your stay in Rochester.

Grievance Procedures

Decisions by the Classical Idol judges panel, ROS Music Director, and staff are final and not subject to appeal. Any complaints or requests for assistance or information are to be handled by contact with your contestant representative during your stay in Rochester, or by e-mail/snail mail after the event. Under no circumstances should a competitor's agents, managers or other professional or personal representatives contact the ROS office or staff concerning an artist's involved in Classical Idol.