HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL COMPETITION

*Well, technically speaking, just a few emerge with cash awards, while everyone gets a transformational life experience.

The Schmidt Vocal Competitions have touched the lives of thousands of young students like you over the past two decades. In our High School Regional Competitions, we invite high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to participate in these one-day events, hosted at locations throughout the United States. Some students will win cash awards. But everyone comes away with valuable performance experience and a new group of music-loving friends!

On a live competition day, singers perform in front of an audience in two rounds. Between the preliminary and final rounds, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in instructional master classes with some of today’s most renowned professionals.

And while everyone should have a great experience, a few talented singers also take home cash awards: $2,500 for first place, $2,000 for second place, and $1,500 for third place, and others receive encouragement and finalist awards. Competition finalists are also eligible for a matching scholarship, should they continue their music education at the host institution.

SAVE THE DATE! In 2024-2025, Schmidt Vocal Arts is also offering its High School National Competition! All regional competition winners who are awarded first, second, or third place are also eligible to compete at the national level from May 30 – June 1, 2025 in Sarasota, FL in the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre at Sarasota Opera. To learn more about the Schmidt Vocal Competition High School Nationals, click HERE.

We work hard to create a competition environment that is friendly and encouraging. Many past competitors report that the friendships kindled with fellow singers have continued long after competition day.

Finally, we’re pretty proud of the track record of Schmidt Competition alumni. Many have gone on to gain entrance to the world’s finest music schools and include winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the George London Competition, the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Awards, Classical Singer Competition, and the National Opera Association Award.

If you love to sing or are considering a career in the arts, The Schmidt Vocal Competition is a great next step toward achieving your dreams.