Information for Pianists/Coaches

Please read the information below before applying.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. All applicants are considered for the Houston Grand Opera Studio beginning in September 2012. Pianists are not eligible for the Eleanor McCollum Competition.

COMPLETING THE ONLINE APPLICATION

2. Applications should be submitted online. Applications open on August 22, 2011. The application deadline is September 30, 2011.

3. Audition Dates – Please select the city and date(s) where you wish to audition. If you can easily attend more than one city, please indicate this by selecting a second or third choice city.

4. Audition Repertoire – Pianists should prepare the following for their audition:

BOTH of the following:

•Solo piano piece
•La bohème, beginning of Act IV up to Schaunard's entrance

TWO of the following:

• "Sein wir wieder gut," Composer's Aria from Ariadne auf Naxos
• Charlotte's Letter Aria from Act III of Werther
• "Dich teure Halle" from Wagner's Tannhäuser
• Anne Truelove's aria from Rake's Progress, with recitative before

Plus ONE of the following:

• Le nozze di Figaro Act II Finale, scene 9, from Figaro's entrance "Signori di fuori" up until the Andante after Figaro's "è stravolto m'ho un nervo del piè"

• Don Giovanni Act II excerpt, beginning with the recitative "Di molte faci il lume," including the Sextet, the recitative following "Dunque quello sei tu" and Leporello's aria "Ah, pietà, signori miei"

There will also be sight-reading. Auditionees should be prepared to sing and play all extracts. You may be asked to conduct or be conducted.

There will also be a short interview with the audition panel after the audition.

You are required to submit your chosen solo piece and operatic excerpts on your application, but you may substitute a different piece or extract at your audition if you wish.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

5. References – Your application must be supported by at least two confidential recommendations from music professionals. As part of the application process, you will be given the opportunity to contact 2 references to ask them to complete a short online form through YAP Tracker. The deadline is September 30, 2011. Please contact your references early in the process.

References should come from two of the seven professional types listed below. (NOTE – A recommendation from your piano teacher will not be accepted.)

   a) Opera Stage Director / Opera Workshop Director
   b) Opera General Director
   c) Music Director/Conductor
    d) Artistic Administrator
   e) Department Chairman or Dean
   f)   Choral Director
   g) Coach

6. A non-refundable $30 application processing fee must be paid online at the time of submission.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

7. Selection criteria – Pianists must demonstrate major potential supported by prior experience as a repetiteur. HGO Studio reserves the right, without explanation, to decline to hear pianists who, in the judges’ opinion, do not meet the criteria. Applications are reviewed by HGO Studio staff and are considered confidential.

8. Audition Notification – Houston Grand Opera Studio will e-mail you by Friday, October 28, 2011 to tell you whether or not you have been allocated an audition, and either when/where it will be or how to schedule it.

9. Preliminary Auditions – The order of your preferences on your application will be considered and accommodated to the best of our ability. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may affect your availability - please inform us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your audition or need to change times/dates.

10. Audition Results – Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the result of their audition by January 2, 2012. The judges' decision is final. Pianists will not be asked to participate in semi-final and final auditions and may be asked to join the HGO Studio based on preliminary auditions.

Important Notes:

- You can access your application at any time by logging in to the YAP Tracker website.

- Do not mail applications, recordings or videotapes to HGO.

- Notify us immediately if your contact information or availability to audition changes.

Questions? Check our frequently asked questions

We recommend you join our Facebook group by clicking below
to receive updates throughout the audition and application process