Vancouver Master Chorale is excited to announce the application process for our 2023 Vancouver Master Chorale Youth Vocal Scholarship. The Scholarship winner will be awarded $1500 to further their vocal studies and will perform as our guest at our May 6th and May 7th concerts. This year we are excited to offer a second youth scholarship of $750.
To be eligible to compete for these prestigious vocal awards, applicants must be a high school student (public, private, or home school) enrolled in Clark County or one of its neighboring counties.
Applications now open! Applicants will be required to prepare two pieces. The first must be from the classical art song repertoire (including Lieder, classic American folksongs, Italian art songs, English art songs, French chansons, arias from opera or oratorio). The second selection can be from classical or musical theater repertoire. Popular contemporary songs are not acceptable. Any language, including English, is acceptable.
Please submit recordings in either MP3 or MP4 format with applications no later than Friday, April 14, 2023. The pieces submitted with the application must be the same pieces performed during the audition and during our May concerts, if chosen as the winner.
In submitting an application and recording, applicants are also committing to the following schedule:
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 7:00 PM Auditions
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 7:00 PM Dress Rehearsal
Saturday, May 6, 2023 7:00 PM Performance
Sunday, May 7, 2023 3:00 PM Performance
Applicants selected for auditions are required to provide their own accompanist. No recordings will be allowed. Auditions, rehearsals and performances are all held at First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver at 4300 Main Street, Vancouver WA 98663. Auditions will be performed for a panel of judges. The winners will be notified the day after auditions.
Questions? Contact youthscholarshipVMC@gmail.com
Distinguished Judges for the VMC Youth Vocal Scholarship Auditions:
Dr. Scott Tuomi is Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Pacific University in Forest Grove where he also serves as chair of the music department. He has been a featured tenor soloist throughout the United States with various choral groups, orchestras, opera companies and also as a recitalist and recording artist. Now entering his thirty-fifth year at Pacific, Scott has conducted the Pacific University Chamber Singers in concert tours both nationally and internationally, including tours to Europe, Ireland and Taiwan.
Dr. Tuomi is also an established vocal teacher and frequently serves as a clinician, educator and adjudicator for both choral and solo vocal music throughout the Pacific Northwest. Scott has served as governor for the Cascade chapter of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). He has also served as Collegiate Repertoire chair and most recently as Oregon President for ACDA (American Choral Directors Association). Scott has also served on the boards and as a grant panelist for various performing arts organizations. He maintains a private vocal studio in Portland as well as teaching voice at Pacific. His students have gone on to careers in performing and teaching throughout the United States. Scott also directs the Balladeers at the Multnomah Athletic Club who performed at Carnegie Hall in a chorus under Scottʻs direction. In addition to his current conducting positions, Scott has extensive experience as a music director and conductor in church music. He has also served as conductor of Tsunami, a choir for young tenors and basses which is part of the Pacific Youth Choir choral organization. Scottʻs vocal performances have been featured on the Freshwater, Narada and Koch International
recording labels.
Jana Christianson Hart holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and a Masters in Teaching. She has sung roles with Santa Fe Opera, Los Angeles Opera and Long Beach Opera companies, has appeared as Leonore in concert performances of “Fidelio” and has sung concerts in Europe and here at home. She has taught private voice lessons for almost 50 years and has taught adjunct voice lessons at Lower Columbia College. Jana has been the Music Director for Vancouver Master Chorale since 2009.
Susan Pautz began her studies in music and voice at Clark College in Vancouver WA, continuing on at Central Washington State University and ending with a Post Graduate Diploma with Honors from the University of Toronto Opera School. On her musical journey as a Lyricspinto soprano she has performed alongside numerous high profile opera stars on stages with The Portland Opera Co., Canadian Opera Company, Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the Mobile Opera.