Innovative competition for opera and classical singers
Innovative competition for opera and classical singers
ABOUT BY VOICE ALONE
THE COMPETITION
Welcome to By Voice Alone. In 2019 we held our inaugural classical vocal competition Opera: By Voice Alone. This ground-breaking competition sought to remove unconscious bias from the casting process to create an open and inclusive opportunity available to all. Our first-round live and recorded auditions were conducted fully blind with no CVs, names, experience, or any other influences other than the singers’ vocal performance being considered. We auditioned over 400 singers in the first round and 28 of these went on to our semi-final to sing in front of an incredible panel of casting representatives from the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North and The Grange Festival along with many other independent casting professionals, conductors, directors and producers.
Our final took place at Kings Place London where 7 finalists had the opportunity to perform again for the competition jury and our audience and the possibility to win 6 financial awards. During this event we played a film about our competition and included interviews with our finalists.
You can see our competition winners here and a list of our finalists semi-finalists here.
As a result of our learnings during the inaugural competition competition, we are further exploring how we can create a performance platform and vocal competition that encourages inclusivity and therefore diversity within the art form. If you of your company would like to talk about a potential collaboration with By Voice Alone or would like to help our project in some way, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – info@auditionoracle.com.
Due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 we are postponing the launch of the 2020 oratorio competition to 2021. To be kept up-to-date with all our latest developments and news please sign-up to our newsletter.
Oratorio & Song: By Voice Alone – Applications will open IN 2021
The Three Stages
Blind Auditions
Auditionees will sing behind a screen: the panel judging By Voice Alone
We will also accept online applications (including sound files) from those not able to attend the live auditions
Panel Auditions
Singers will perform to the competition panel
Choral societies, conductors and other casting professionals will be invited to attend this stage
Competition Final
Oratorio & Song Prize winners are invited to perform and to receive their prizes at the Opera Competition Final
Blind Auditions
Auditionees will sing behind a screen: the panel judging By Voice Alone
We will also accept online applications (including sound files) from those not able to attend the live auditions
Panel Auditions
Singers will perform to the competition jury
Choral societies, conductors and other casting professionals will also be invited to attend this stage
Competition Final
Oratorio & Song Prize winners are invited to perform and to receive their prizes at the Opera Competition Final
Blind Auditions
Auditionees will sing behind a screen: the panel judging By Voice Alone
We will also accept online applications (including sound files) from those not able to attend the live auditions
Panel Auditions
Singers will perform to the competition panel
Choral societies, conductors and other casting professionals will be invited to attend this stage
Competition Final
Oratorio & Song Prize winners are invited to perform and to receive their prizes at the Opera Competition Final
MEET OUR
2019 OPERA: BY VOICE ALONE JURY
2nd and Final Round
English National Opera – Michelle Williams
Opera North – Megan Nelson
Scottish Opera – Kathryn Joyce
The Grange Festival – Scott Cooper
The Royal Opera – David Gowland
1st Round Panel
Industry professionals recommended by members of the Jury
Industry Professionals in Attendance
Anonymous (First 2 Sessions) – Patron of the Arts
Bill Bankes-Jones – Tête à Tête
Stuart Barker – British Youth Opera
Gavin Carr (final session) – Conductor
Jeremy Gray (first two sessions) – Bampton Opera
Justin Lavender – Arcadian Opera
Hamish Mackay – The Opera Story
Alison Marshall – Arcadian Opera
Morag McLaren – Coopers Hall Foundation
Isabel Murphy (first two sessions) – Independent / Longborogh Opera
Stuart Pendred – Oxford Opera
Sarah Playfair – Independent casting consultant
SUPPORTED BY
AUDITION ORACLE
Audition Oracle is the leading castingbook for professional opera singers, classical artists and arts companies. The company is dedicated to helping singers find opportunities and establish long-term professional careers. The launch of this new competition is part of their ongoing commitment to bringing artists together with casting professionals. For more information please visit the company website: