Opera Modesto

 

The Kristina Townsend Memorial Vocal Competition honors the memory of Kristina Townsend, daughter of Opera Modesto founder Buck Townsend and his wife Erika. Kristina loved music and singing. This competition is designed to encourage and inspire emerging talented young singers in her name. Due to Covid19, video recordings will be submitted for virtual adjudication this year.

AGE CATEGORIES

One or more cash awards (at the discretion of the judges) will be given to the winner of each of three age categories listed below.  An opportunity to perform at a future Opera Modesto event may also be offered to prize winners.

  • 16 – 18 years old ($200 1st prize)
  • 19 – 22 years old ($300 1st prize)
  • 23 – 26 years old ($500 1st prize)

  All singers will be notified of competition results via email after the adjudication is complete.

ELIGIBILITY

Singers ages 16 – 26 living or studying full-time in one of the following California counties only are eligible to participate:

  • Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, or Yolo.

COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS (all music must be memorized)

Singers age 16-18: Submit video recordings of 2 classical pieces with 2 languages represented.  1 musical theater selection may be substituted for 1 of the classical songs.

Singers age 19-22: Submit video recordings of 2 classical pieces with 2 languages represented – 1 art song or oratorio aria and 1 opera aria.

Singers age 23-26:  Submit video recordings of 1 art song and 2 opera arias (an oratorio aria may be substituted for one of the opera arias).  At least 2 languages must be represented.

Singers must perform with live piano accompaniment or a recorded track.  Pieces need to have been recorded within 6 months of the competition.  Singers age 16 – 19 should contact Opera Modesto if they need help with an accompaniment track.

HOW TO APPLY

We will be using YAP Tracker for the Kristina Townsend Memorial Vocal Competition this year. The application can be found here:

https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/opera-modesto-2021/

You do not need to be a paying subscriber to YAP Tracker to use the application form, although you will need to create an account (free, application-only accounts) are available at http://www.yaptracker.com.