ELIGIBILITY
In order to compete, you must be between 19 and 35 (inclusive) on December 6, 2008.
You must not be under professional management.

REPERTOIRE

Audition Recording Requirements:
Three identical cassettes or CDs (approximately 15 minutes in duration) should include:
1. A major aria in Italian
2. A German Lied
3. A French art song
4. A contemporary American aria or theater song
Please select contrasting styles. Accompaniment must be used when needed. Semi-finals selections may be used.

Semi-Finals Requirements:
1. Two arias selected from 18th, 19th, or 20th century operatic repertoire
2. Art songs: One each from standard German, French, Italian, and English language repertoire (please select contrasting styles)
3. One American musical theater song
Changes to repertoire may be made in writing through November 1 by mail, email, or fax.
No changes will be accepted after November 1.

Finals Requirements:
Performance selections will be chosen from your semi-finals repertoire.

NOTIFICATION
You will be notified of your acceptance or rejection during the first week in November or as soon as possible. Please do not call us about this. Those accepted will receive audition time assignments later.

JUDGES
Distinguished musicians will adjudicate at all levels. Judges’ decisions will be final.

FINALS
The Finals will be a public concert with a jury, the performed selections to be chosen from the semi-finals repertoire with the help of the Artistic Director. If you are chosen to perform in the public Finals Concert, you must be available to discuss your repertoire with the Artistic Director the evening of December 6. You will also be entitled to two free passes for friends and/or family. Otherwise, admission is $20 for adults; age 18 and under is free.

DRESS
Both the Semi-Finals auditions and the Finals Concert are open to the public. Please dress appropriately. This applies to accompanists as well.

TRAVEL & LODGING
You are responsible for your own travel arrangements. If you so indicate on your application form, we can arrange for overnight accommodations in local homes for you and/or your accompanist. All arrangements must be completed by November 20.

ACCOMPANISTS
Contestants may provide their own accompanists, who must be available for both the Semi-Finals on December 6 and the public Finals Concert on December 7. If necessary, arrangements for an accompanist can be made through the Competition with the following stipulations:
1. Within three days of acceptance to the Semi-Finals, you must send your music by 2- to 3-day service. Take care to choose repertoire that can be adequately prepared in limited rehearsal time, and please avoid music in manuscript if possible.  It is recommended that you keep original and send copies.
2. Within three days of acceptance to the Semi-Finals, you must send a check for $150, payable to Connecticut Alliance for Music, to cover one rehearsal, the Semi-Finals, and (if applicable) the public Finals Concert. Fees received after November 20 are non-refundable.
3. Your audition and rehearsal times will be assigned in advance by mail or phone. Most rehearsals will take place on Friday, December 5. Additional rehearsal time may be scheduled by arrangement with the accompanist.

Your Application Package must contain all of the following:
_____ 1. Completed and Signed Application Form. Keep a copy of this information for your reference. We also suggest you make and keep a photocopy of your completed application form.
_____ 2. Three Identical Cassette Tapes or CDs. In order to preserve your anonymity with the judges, please DO NOT write your name on the tapes or CDs themselves, but DO print on the case of the cassette or CD your name and selections, including titles, keys, movements, opus numbers, etc. Since your tapes are all the judges will know about you, please submit professional quality recordings, but not from performances with orchestral accompaniment. Submitted tapes will be used for audition purposes only and will not be returned.
_____ 3. Two Letters of Recommendation from musicians of acknowledged standing. NOTE: These may be mailed separately, but applications cannot be considered complete until the letters are on file.
_____ 4. A Legible Copy of Your Birth Certificate, Passport, or Driver's License.
_____ 5. $40 Entry Fee (non-refundable). Please make your check payable to "Connecticut Alliance for Music, Inc."
_____ 6. A Brief Biography of Yourself (about 100 words - not resume) suitable for use in the Competition written program..
_____ We must receive your completed Application Package no later than October 9, 2008. Send your completed package to:

CONNECTICUT ALLIANCE FOR MUSIC, INC.
Attn: Heida Hermanns International Voice Competition
61 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

Call Doris Goltzer, Competition Artistic Director, at (203) 227-9401 or
Connecticut Alliance for Music at (203) 319-8271 or alliance.for.music@snet.net