COVID-19 Notice: The onsite 2020 CS Music Convention has been cancelled and moved to the new and innovative Online Convention. All registrations have been moved to this new event and participants will be notified via email.
$5.6 Million in Scholarships Awards
$15,000 in Cash Prizes
High School, University, and Emerging Pros
Classical and Musical Theatre
Register and get a free Attendee Pass to the
CS MUSIC CONVENTION
Washington, D.C., May 21 -24
- Cash Prizes plus University & Summer Program Scholarships
- Written Feedback from University Faculty and Industry Professionals
- Networking Opportunities and Audition Experience
- Free admission to Convention Classes and Expo Recruiting Fair
- $85 registration fee includes all rounds and accompanist fees
Congratulations to the 2019 winners! View the list of 2019 Winners
More than 1,000 singers, teachers, and industry professionals!
Competition Sponsored by:
How to Participate
• Submit an Online Video Audition
• Sing at a Live Audition in Washington, D.C. on May 21
*Singers can do both Classical and Musical Theatre divisions, but must register for each division separately.
Online Video Auditions
Submit a Video
Upload to YouTube a new self-recording and add it to your application. Click for more INSTRUCTIONS
Get Reviewed
CS judges review your video and give you written feedback and an overall score.
Advance
All qualified singers advance to the Second Round in Washington, D.C., May 21-24 at the CS Music Convention.
Spring Video Audition Deadline:
Register by May 1, Get Results by May 15
Click to Register
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Second Round and Finals
- May 21-24, 2020 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. at the CS Music Convention.
- Discounted hotel rooms are available (click to find more details).
- All competition Participants receive a FREE Convention Class Pass and Free entrance to the Expo Recruiting Fair
- There are no additional registration fees, but participants are responsible for hotel, travel, and food.
- Second Round scheduled times will be assigned to participants beginning April 1.
Competition Divisions:
*Singers can do both Classical and Musical Theatre divisions, but must register for each division separately.
Classical – High School
- Ages 14-18 as of May 25, 2020
- Cannot be attending a university program
- Prize Money
1st Place – $1,000
2nd Place – $300
3rd Place – $200
Musical Theatre – High School
- Ages 14-18 as of May 25, 2020
- Cannot be attending a university program
- Prize Money
1st Place – $1,000
2nd Place – $300
3rd Place – $200
Classical – University
- Ages 18-23 as of May 25, 2020
- No undergraduate or graduate performance degree as of January 1, 2020
- High school graduate or equivalent
- Prize Money:
1st Place – $1,500
2nd Place – $400
3rd Place – $300
Musical Theatre – University
- Ages 18-23 as of May 25, 2020
- No undergraduate or graduate performance degree as of January 1, 2020
- High school graduate or equivalent
- Prize Money:
1st Place – $1,500
2nd Place – $400
3rd Place – $300
Classical – Emerging Professional
- Age minimum 22
- No age limit
- Recommended to have a degree in vocal-related field or significant vocal training
- No principal roles with A or B level companies
- Prize Money:
1st Place – $2,000
2nd Place – $750
3rd Place – $500
Musical Theatre – Pre Professional
- Age minimum 22
- No age limit
- Recommended to have a degree in vocal-related field or significant vocal training
- No lead experience on Broadway
- Prize Money:
1st Place – $2,000
2nd Place – $750
3rd Place – $500
Competition Rules and Format
- Singers can sing at either a Live Audition Location or submit an Online Video Audition for the First Round.
- Two selections are required for the Live Audition and one selection is required for the Video Audition.
- All qualified singers advance to the Second Round in Washington, D.C., May 21-24, at the annual CS Music Convention.
Live Auditions
- Each singer will perform ONE selection of his or her choice in its entirety—Judges may ask to hear a portion of the SECOND selection if time remains.
- An accompanist will be provided but singers can bring their own.
- There is no time to practice with the accompanist beforehand.
- Selections must be performed with piano accompaniment only.
- Original music is not required. If using copies, please put your music into a 3-ring binder with anti-glare sheet protectors for the accompanist. Please no bound books.
- Singers should have all repertoire memorized.
- Approximate 8-minute time limit
Online Video Auditions
- Each singer will record ONE selection of his or her choice it its entirety.
- PLEASE do not use microphones.
- Accompaniment options:
- Live piano accompaniment or the Appcompanist App
- Upload your recording to YouTube and post as Public or Unlisted.
- Within your CS Music applications page, paste the URL of your YouTube selection and Submit.
- Judges will give a scored evaluation and and written feedback.
- Participants will be notified via email when results are available.
- Click Here for more details.
At the Live Audition:
- Wear daytime audition attire; no formal wear.
- Check in at the registration desk at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled competition time. (Times will be assigned and emailed out to participants approximately 1-2 weeks before the competition date. Check your competition application for times and locations: www.csmusic.net/applications.
- The on-site representative will direct singers to the warm-up rooms. Warm-up rooms may or may not have an available piano, depending upon the host school.
- Stand outside the performance room until the on-site representative directs entrance.
- The singer will have a brief moment to go over the selection with the provided accompanist.
- If you have challenging music you can submit your selections to the pianists on the Repertoire Request Form.
- When the singer is ready to perform, he or she should introduce themselves by giving their full name and the title of the selection.
- The singer will present one selection in its entirety. Each singer has approximately 8 minutes. If time remains, the judges may ask to hear a portion of the second selection.
- Unless the host school otherwise specifies, the First Round is an open competition. However, space might be limited depending upon the size of each performance room.
- No personal video or audio recordings are allowed.
General Repertoire Guidelines
Classical Divisions
- Singers should choose art songs or arias at a level appropriate to their vocal development.
- Two contrasting song selections are required for Live Auditions; one selection should be in a language other than English.
Musical Theatre Divisions
- Selections can come from Broadway, off-Broadway, and revival shows.
- Both mix/belt and legit style singing are accepted and judged equally.
- Singers should be able to demonstrate strong acting abilities as appropriate to the literature.
- Two contrasting song selections are required Live Auditions.
Scholarships
- More than $5,600,000 of university and summer program scholarships will be offered to Competition participants.
- Any singer who advances from the First Round is eligible to win a scholarship.
- Scholarships are given completely at the discretion of the school offering it. The majority of the scholarships will go to juniors or sophomores as most seniors have already committed to a specific school.
- $15,000 in cash prizes will also be given to the national winners at the Grand Finale Concert.
Plus, registration includes online access to all of CSmusic.net including these great benefits.
Articles
Opera and theater stars give you an inside look at their path to success with advice for today’s singers.
Listings
Thousands of job notices for singers, teachers, and pianists.
Directories
Directories of Young Artist Programs, Universities and Summer Programs.