The Wirth Vocal Prize in vocal performance was established in 2015 through the extraordinary generosity of Elizabeth Wirth to the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, along with new Student Excellence Awards, and an innovative Student Initiatives Fund. Awarded yearly since its inception, the Wirth Vocal Prize recognizes a voice student who demonstrates exceptional talent and significant promise for an international career.
The winner of this year’s Wirth Vocal Prize will receive a generous scholarship, valued this year at $25,000, as well as a smaller likeness of the Wirth Vocal Prize logo in the form of a 14-karat gold lapel pin. Runners-up in the final will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize.
Previous winners include Chelsea Rus, Simone McIntosh, Anna-Sophie Neher, Marcel d’Entremont, Jenny Ivanovna and Emily Richter.
2021-2022 Competition Dates
Preliminary application deadline:TBD
Semi-Final Round: Thursday, March 10th, 2022, 7:00 p.m. in Pollack Hall
Final Round: Saturday, March 12th, 2022, 7:00 p.m. in Pollack Hall
The winners of the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 will perform in a recital at the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur on Thursday, April 21st, 2022
The 2021-2022 Wirth Vocal Prize eligibility, nomination process, competition round and repertoire requirements will be posted in September 2021.
Eligibility
Voice students registered in all Schulich School of Music study programs may be considered for nomination.
Nomination Process (Preliminary Round)
Students wishing to be considered for nomination must submit the following:
Application Request Form, which must be signed by your Voice Instructor
A video audition consisting of 10-12 minutes of unedited and varied repertoire*
List of repertoire for the 25-minute program offered in the semi-final and final round (Title, Composer, Composer dates, Length of work). Once submitted, the program cannot be modified.
Curriculum Vitae
Headshot (optional)
* Please note that the 10-12 minute video audition can consist of separate, varied recordings made in the last 6 months and can contain different repertoire from the 25 minute proposed program.
Competition Rounds
Preliminary Round: Applicants submit a 10-12 minute video recording of varied repertoire recorded within the last 6 months (Recording may contain different repertoire from the final, 25 minute proposed program). The panel, consisting of members of the voice and coaching faculty, will select a maximum of 8-12 candidates will move to the semi-final round.
Semi-Final Round:The panel, consisting of members of the voice and coaching faculty, will select excerpts from the 25-minute competition program for a webcast performance. A maximum of 4 candidates will move to the final round.
Final round: Finalists will present their full 25-minute program in a webcast performance. The jury will consist of three members: two external members and one member from the Schulich School of Music faculty.
Repertoire Requirements
Nominated students should prepare a varied 25-minute program that includes at least one opera aria, demonstrating ability in at least three languages. No change of repertoire will be allowed once the program has been submitted.
In light of the exceptional circumstances created by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, these rules are subject to change.With the safety of our community and our students’ education remaining as top priority, performances will not be open to the public. We thank our audiences for their continued support to our community and our School.
