McCammon Competition

The Opera Guild of Fort Worth

The news in the opera world is that “the McCammon is where stars are discovered”

Thirteenth Biennial Marguerite McCammon Voice Competition
May 21-24, 2008 Fort Worth, TX

Our Mission: To foster the talents and careers of emerging young singers by providing an internationally acclaimed and recognized vocal competition.

The past two McCammon Competitions have seen a dramatic increase in the number of worthy competitors from around the United States. The 2008 McCammon Voice Competition is pleased to announce that up to thirty semifinalists will be invited to audition live for our panel of distinguished judges here in Fort Worth. From this contingent of competitors, up to twelve will be chosen as finalists.

The competing finalists will then have the opportunity to audition from the stage of the beautiful Bass Performance Hall. Completed in 1998, this magnificent hall is designed in the horseshoe configuration of many of Europe’s most distinguished opera houses and has been designated one of the top ten opera houses in the world.

Competition Eligibility

Open to an international contingent of contestants. Emerging professionals poised and ready with career potential. Actively working toward a professional opera career. Age 21-35, male; 21-32 female. Audition recording of four arias representing contrasting styles/languages.

Application Deadline Postmark: The Deadline has passed, please check back next year.

Prizes

First: $10,000 and a role in a Fort Worth Opera production within two years, pending appropriate repertoire
Second: $5000
Third: $3000
Audience Favorite: $1500
Male Encouragement Award: $1500
Female Encouragement Award: $1500

Housing will be secured for all semifinalists. Tickets to Fort Worth Opera’s production of Turandot on Friday, May 24 at Bass Performance Hall will be available at a discount for those semifinalists wishing to attend. (Dongwon Shin, the 2006 McCammon Second Prize Winner, will sing the role of Calaf in this production.)

Judges

Fort Worth Opera General Director Darren K. Woods; Kristin Cowdin Artist Manager, Guy Barzilay Artists; William Florescu General Director, Florentine Opera Company; Christopher Mattaliano General Director, Portland Opera; Robert Mirshak Artist Manager, Mirshak Artist Management (Judges subject to change)

Previous Winners

2006 Michael Todd Simpson, baritone
2004 Marjorie Owens, soprano
2003 Eric Nelson Werner, baritone
2001 Jennifer Chung, lyric coloratura soprano
1999 Kyle Ketelsen, baritone
1997 Jonita Lattimore, soprano
1995 Frank Hernandez, baritone
1993 Vivica Genaux, mezzo soprano
1991 Kenn Woodward, baritone
1989 Jane Elizabeth Sleder, soprano
1987 Richard Paul Fink, baritone
1985 Margaret Jane Wray, soprano

Marguerite McCammon In 1969, Marguerite McCammon was the recipient of a tribute from an aunt to a favorite niece when a permanent scholarship fund for worthy and gifted students of voice was established in her name. Mrs. McCammon served as president of The Opera Guild of Fort Worth in 1963 and 1964 and also served as a member of the Fort Worth Opera Association.

Established in and presented since 1969 by The Opera Guild of Fort Worth, Marguerite McCammon Voice Competition has grown steadily in prestige, scope, participants and prize money. In 1985, the Competition became a continuing and biennial event. Various fundraising activities and generous donations from opera lovers across the United States augment the annual twenty percent of the fund monies allotted for the Competition.

Competition Questions, Information, Details

Marguerite McCammon Voice Competition
1300 Gendy Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
T 817.731.0833 x 25
F 817.731.0835
mccammon@fwopera.org
fwopera.org in the About Us section

Have a Question? Check out the Frequently Asked Question pdf: Artist FAQ