Harris Concert Hall venue for opera competition

Aspiring opera singers between the ages of 20 and 30 from across the United States and Canada will compete at the Harris Concert Hall in the first round of the Metropolitan National Council District Auditions Saturday at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I think it's a really good idea," said Andrew Cook, music education major. "I feel like opera has been pushed back in our society. It's good for students our age to have a chance to see this."

Last year, two U of M students won the district competition. Famous tenor and former student Adam Diegel started his career at the competition. Former winners Jeremiah Johnson, baritone, and Stafford Hartman, soprano, are currently students in the music program.

"This is the most prestigious competition for opera in the world," said Assistant Professor of Music Evan Jones, director of the Metropolitan National Opera Auditions.

Saturday is the first round of the district auditions, which includes Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.

Winners of the first round will compete in the semifinals, which are also held in Memphis this year. First-time national semifinalists, finalists and winners are eligible for scholarships from the National Council Education Fund over a period of up to three years after the competition.

"In some ways its like the ‘American Idol' of opera," said Mark Ensley, chairperson of regional auditions.

Volunteers and council members make the competitions possible across the country. Each District and region raises funds locally to award to the respective winners.

The singers selected will compete for the semifinals, and if victorious, they travel to New York for the finals.

"It is good that we have the competition here at The University of Memphis, so our students don't have to travel," Jones said.

Two of the three judges for the competition have previously competed on a local scale, while the third is a classically trained vocalist.

"The competition has been held here for a number of years by many of the faculty members," said Jones.

There is no limit for how many times a person can audition as long as contestants meet eligibility criteria.

To be eligible, contestants must be able to sing in more than one language, have musical training and be a citizen of Canada or the United States.

At the district level, cash prices vary. The regional level awards an $800 prize for first place. The awards are funded from donors across the country.

Winners will receive $15,000 each, and the other finalists receive $5,000 each. The semifinalists each receive $1,500.