art-song,recital, piano vocal duo, classical music, concert, competition

JOY IN SINGING
The Art Song Institute
2026 INTERNATIONAL ART SONG COMPETITION RULES
(Please read all requirements before applying)

FIRST PRIZE:
Debut Recital in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City
and $3,000 

FINALISTS:
$500

TIMELINE:
Application Open Saturday, November 1, 2025
Deadline Tuesday, January 6, 2026

(video submissions only - First Round Digital)
Semi-Final Rounds Wednesday, March 4th and/or Friday, March 6th
Final Round Wednesday, March 25th
Carnegie Recital Sept. or October, 2026 (schedule to availability)

GENERAL COMPETITION RULES:
• There is no age limit for this competition
• Applicants may not have made a debut recital in any major New York City venue
• Previous First Prize winners may not apply
• All songs must be sung from memory
• No arias (e.g., from opera/operetta/oratorio/cantata), musical theater, or ‘pop’ songs
• Transpositions are permitted
• For Preliminary Auditioners advancing to the Semi-Final and/or Final Rounds, it is
preferred that you provide your own accompanist at your own expense for each round
(it does not need to be the same person for both rounds). Upon request, JIS can provide
a list of pianists.

• Applicants agree to be bound by the competition rules
• Joy in Singing reserves full rights to any media recorded during the competition
• Transportation and housing are not included
• The competition jury decisions are final
• The competition jury may decide not to award any prize

APPLICATION DEADLINE AND FEES:
Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, January 6, 2026, via the online application
portal. The application fee is $80, with a reduced fee of $70 for early applications
received by Monday, December 1, 2025, with payment made via PayPal.
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PRELIMINARY AUDITION RULES
Applications for the 2025-26 Joy In Singing Competition will open on Saturday,
November 1, 2025.
Competition applications are available via YAP Tracker and our Joy in Singing Website.
Applicants are required to submit a recent video recording for the Preliminary Round.
Tracks with either orchestral or instrumental accompaniment will not be considered.
Instructions for Preliminary Round Applicants
Submission Overview
All applicants are required to submit a recent video recording for the Preliminary
Round. The video submission is a crucial part of the selection process and must adhere
strictly to the guidelines outlined below to be considered.
Repertoire Requirements
● Perform three contrasting art songs.
● Each song must be in a different language (total of three languages).
Performance Guidelines
● All songs must be performed with live piano accompaniment only.
● Tracks with either orchestral or instrumental accompaniment will not be
considered.

● No editing or enhancements are permitted. The video must present a continuous,
unaltered performance.
Video Submission Instructions
1. You may submit your performance as either:
o One video link containing all three songs performed consecutively, or
o Multiple video links (up to three), each featuring one song.
2. Public video links are preferred (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo) to ensure access for the
adjudication panel.
3. When submitting multiple links, clearly label each link with the corresponding
song title and language.
Submission Checklist
● Three contrasting art songs performed.
● Each song in a different language.
● Live piano accompaniment only; no orchestral or instrumental tracks.
● No video editing or enhancements.
● All video links are public and accessible.
● Links are clearly labeled if submitting multiple videos.
Please review these guidelines carefully before submitting your video(s). Adherence to
all requirements is mandatory for your application to be considered.
For further tips on creating videos, Opera America has put together Remote Audition
Guidelines to help you with the process:
https://www.operaamerica.org/media/br5jsqfz/remoteauditionsoa.pdf
To be eligible for the Competition, applicants must be available on the dates reserved —
the Semi-Final Round on March 4 and/or 6, and the Final Round on March 25.
PRELIMINARY AUDITIONERS WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL NO LATER THAN
FEBRUARY 1, 2026, IF THEY HAVE ADVANCED TO THE SEMI-FINAL ROUND
Those selected to advance to the semi-final round are encouraged to arrange and
provide for their own accompanist. If selected for the finals round, it is recommended
that the same pianist serve as your accompanist, but it is not a requirement. Upon
request, JIS can provide a list of pianists for the applicant to consider and contact.
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SEMI-FINAL ROUND
The Semi-Final Round will take place in the Charles Mackay Studio at OPERA America’s
National Opera Center, 330 Seventh Avenue, 7th floor, on Wednesday, March 4, and/or
Friday, March 6, 2025. The Semi-Final Round will be closed to the public.
• Semi-finalists will perform a 20-minute art song program of varying repertoire that
includes at least three languages, which may include works from the preliminary
auditions.
• A printable and editable electronic version of the program in performance order, along
with a headshot and bio, must be received by JIS no later than Wednesday, February 18,
2025. Although translations are not required for this round, you may include them.
• The program will be performed without interruption with no additional requests from
the judges.
• The Competition Jury will select no more than five finalists from the Semi-Final
Round. All Semi-finalists will be notified of their status on Saturday, March 7, by
either email or phone call.
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FINAL ROUND
The Final Round will take place in the Marc A. Scorca Hall at OPERA America’s
National Opera Center, 330 Seventh Avenue, 7th floor, on Wednesday, March 25, 2025.
The Final Round will be open to the public. Ticketing information will be provided at a
later date.
• Finalists will perform a 30-minute program of material, half of which includes songs
not previously presented. Works must represent the art song repertoire with at least
three different languages offered.
• A printable and downloadable version of the program in performance order, including
texts and translations, along with a headshot and bio, must be received by JIS no later
than Friday, March 13, 2026.
• Finalists may, at their option, intersperse their songs with up to 10 minutes of
spoken passages about themselves, their song selections, the composers, and
poets, or any other topic that communicates their artistic intent. Please note that
spoken interludes are not required, but JIS encourages contestants to reveal
their artistic personalities through both spoken and sung words.
• The program will be performed without interruption with no additional requests from
the judges.

PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FOLLOWING THE FINALS ROUND

For questions or concerns regarding competition, please contact: dsurdi@joyinsinging.org
For technical issues with the application, please contact: webmasterlauren@joyinsinging.org