The 2026 Art Song Colorado Competition Awards have been graciously provided by the Marcia Ragonetti Bel Canto Fund.
This is your chance to win up to $1,500 and a contract to sing in the 26-27 Art Song Colorado Mainstage Season!
Congratulations to our 2025 Competition Winner, Alice Del Simone. See her and Matthew Sebald perform in October as part of our regular season.
Are you an emerging professional singer or love to sing classical songs? Join us for the 2026 Art Song Colorado Competition at Bethany Lutheran Church.
Thank you for joining us for the 2026 Art Song Colorado Competition sponsored by the Marcia Ragonetti Bel Canto Fund! The deadline for submission is Friday, March 6, 2026. Please fill out the form based on the category you wish to compete in. There are no application fee refunds and no travel assistance. You must be a Colorado resident to apply.
Event Information
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Bethany Lutheran Church - 4500 E Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113- The Chapel
Preliminary Auditions begin 10 AM
Finals begin 7 PM
Click HERE to fill out the application form. There is a $20 application fee due at time of form submission. Submit payment here.
Previous competitors are eligible to re-apply. Continue reading for Recitalist and Community Singer category descriptions:
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Recitalist Level:
Any singer who has experience in any three of the following:
1. has performed a solo art song recital in the past
2. is in or has completed a degree in music
3. is over the age of 18
4. has been taking consistent classical voice lessons for at least three years
5. is regularly paid to sing
6. has done a recognized young artist program
Recitalist Level participants cannot be under management, be under contract at A houses, or have a full-time or tenure track university position teaching voice. There is no age restriction, we urge experienced singers to apply. You must be a Colorado resident to apply.
Prizes:
The first-place winner receives $1500, a solo recital on Art Song Colorado's 2026-2027 season, and two season tickets to Art Song Colorado's 2026-2027 season. The winner's recital will be on Friday, January 8, 2027 as the kickoff to the 2027 competition that will take place on the following day. As part of this award, you will work with the Art Song Colorado team to refine the script, video/slide projections and curated art for the event. The winner's concert contract will include compensation for you and your accompanist.
The second-place winner receives $500 and two season tickets to Art Song Colorado's 2026-2027 season.
Audience Favorite winner receives $250 and two season tickets to Art Song Colorado's 20256-2027 season.
Collaboration Award: For pianist/singer duos, awarded by the audition panel: $500
40+ Award: Singers over 40 years old will be eligible for this prize, which will be awarded by the audition panel: $250
All participants will be heard by industry professionals and be considered for Art Song Colorado's singer rosters.
Application: Submit a pre-screen video of oneart song recorded within the last year, a $20 application fee (link in last section of the application), and a well-thought-out proposal for a unique recital program that lasts about one hour and tells a story or says something about who you are as an artist. Art Song Colorado values creativity and narrative in our concert experiences. Keep this in mind while creating your program. This would be your proposal for your solo recital should you win the competition. ASC reserves the right to make changes to your program should you win the competition.
Audition: Prepare four art songs from your submitted creative program. Pianist provided unless you indicate you will be applying for the Collaboration Award.
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Community Singer Level:
Any singer who meets fewer than three of the above-listed qualifications. There are no age restrictions, but it is recommended for 13 and up. We encourage church choir singer/soloists, those who study voice privately and art song enthusiasts to participate. Singers cannot be under management, be under contract at A-level houses, or have a full-time or tenure-track university position teaching voice. Must be a Colorado resident to apply.
Application: No video submission required. Submit titles and composers for two audition selections.
Audition: Prepare two art songs or folk songs with piano accompaniment. Pianist provided. Please be prepared with sheet music in the proper key.
Prizes:
The up to 3 avocational singers will receive a $200 prize, and two season tickets to Art Song Colorado's 2026-2027 season.
They will each kick off the final round of the Recitalist competition (at 7pm on Saturday, March 28th) with a public performance of one art song.
Applications will open on January, 21, 2026.: Click HERE to enter. Tickets to the finals for guests will be available on our Events Calendar.