James Toland Vocal Arts

In August 2010, James Toland conceived the idea of a Bay Area voice competition to support singers working to achieve professional success. The idea was met with considerable enthusiasm, including that of Oakland Symphony Music Director and Conductor Michael Morgan, who agreed to grant the competition winner the opportunity to perform with the Oakland Symphony. Encouraged by this initial support, a fundraising goal for competition prize money and operations was established, and efforts began in 2011 to solicit pledges toward that goal. These fundraising efforts were successful and, by June 2012, pledges had exceeded the initial goal.