Regulations
Laureate Gala and Price Gala Auditions
For Performance Opportunities at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Opportunities to Record and Publish Audio Albums
Open to All Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles, Large Ensembles, & Composers.
Audition to perform a Concerto or an Aria with an orchestra.
Composers may submit their orchestral compositions.
Orchestra Manhattan, David Wroe, conductors
New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor
Audition as a Soloist, Duo, Chamber Ensemble, Large Ensemble (up to 20 performers), or as a Composer.
(for specific conditions, dates, deadlines, and other details of each Auditions, see the website pages for your selected event)
Participation in the Laureate Gala Programs involves the following fees:
• Application fee
• Finals Audition fee
• Production fee
Please inquire about the production costs for the current season before applying. Send inquiries to james.vchs@gmail.com
Winners receive:
● An opportunity to perform in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
● A Carnegie Hall Archival DIGITAL VIDEO of their performance (acceptable uses as per by Carnegie Hall rules)
The Archival Study Video Recording is made by Carnegie Hall on equipment provided by the Hall. The Archival Study Video Recording will be delivered in a digital format and will not be of commercial quality or suitable for commercial reproduction or broadcast. The Archival Study Video Recording can be used solely for study purposes, including submission in connection with applications for grants or scholarships and competitions, but cannot be used for any other purpose or in any other manner whatsoever, whether commercially or otherwise.
● Medals
● Certificates
● Photos
● Full color brochure (digital and printed)
●Complimentary tickets
● Publicity interview with one of VCHS program hosts (Steve Robinson, a world-renowned producer of classical music radio shows; Chris Au; Anna Ouspenskaya; James Welch)
● Letters of recommendation and other support for applying for grants, colleges, other programs and competitions (provided upon request)
●Documentation in support of grant applications and other fundraising efforts provided upon acceptance (requests with specifics must be addressed to the Organizing Committee)
●Professional Portfolio packets available upon request
● Visa support document upon request
●All performers and their teachers will receive a certificate of merit
● iClassical Academy provides Recognition Awards to Winners and Participants of Carnegie Gala Auditions
● James Adler Audience Favorite Award (Pianists and Composers, not available for all Auditions, see webpage for specifics of each Audition)
● Other performance opportunities and promotional support may be provided as available.
Live Auditions*, Masterclasses, Live-Streaming Technology Sessions
NOT APPLICABLE TO LARGE ENSEMBLES & COMPOSERS
● Selected musicians will be invited to audition live on a public Internet broadcast* and will receive a Streaming for Musicians Technology Seminar with VCHS Broadcast Engineers
● Live auditions are judged in real time.
● Judges provide participants with immediate on-air feedback.
● During the live audition participants will be able to speak with Judges.
● The Judges’ decisions are final and may not be contested.
● To participate in the live online auditions, musicians must follow technical requirements
● Live online auditions will be produced by Virtual Concert Halls.
● All Finalists will attend a group Streaming Technology Session and Soundcheck provided by VCHS Production Team at no additional cost.
● NOTE: Phone, iPad, Mac Mini, MacBook Air, or Netbook WILL NOT work well on Internet TV platforms. Use of these devices may result in poor quality production and possibly disqualification. Musicians need to use a desktop or laptop, webcam, microphone, headphones when speaking, and have access to high- speed internet service. PLEASE READ THE TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS SET BY VIRTUAL CONCERT HALLS BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR YOUR AUDITION linked here
*See FEES section for applicable Audition fees
Repertory
● Standard instrumental and vocal repertoire of all periods, including Contemporary, Ethnic, Jazz, Art Songs, Opera/Oratorio, “Crossover”, Golden Age Musical Theatre.
● For Auditions to perform with Orchestra, refer to the Sample List of Concertos. If your Concerto/Aria is not listed, please write to us for approval from the New York Chamber Players Orchestra and/or Orchestra Manhattan. When applying to perform a new Concerto, please refer to the orchestration list below
● Composers: refer to this general orchestration for orchestras engaged in performances at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (some minor variations are possible)
Orchestra Manhattan:
Strings 3/2/2/2/1 1 Flute
1 Oboe
1 Clarinet
1 Bassoon
2 Horns
1 Trumpet
1 Trombone
New York Chamber Players Orchestra:
Strings 4/3/3/2/1 1-2 Flute/Piccolo
1-2 Oboe
1-2 Clarinet
1 Bassoon
1-2 Horns
● Memorization is not required but is strongly encouraged for all soloists.
● Individual movements taken from larger works are acceptable
● Simplified arrangements and incomplete movements will not be accepted
● Composers submit a PDF copy of their score(s). No recording is required. Computer-generated recordings are very helpful. Please send them if they are available
● Ensembles may include any traditional classical instrumentation. If including piano, no preparation or modification may be made to it
● No Prepared Piano, other baroque keyboard instruments
● For use of sound system - make an inquiry to james.vchs@gmail.com
Age Groups and Categories
Not applicable to all Auditions. For specific details and requirements of each Audition see webpage of that Audition
CATEGORIES:
● SOLOISTS (Instrumental and Vocal)
● SOLOISTS WITH ORCHESTRA (Instrumental and Vocal)
● DUOS/TRIOS
● CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
● LARGE ENSEMBLES
● COMPOSERS
AGE DIVISIONS (wherever applicable):
● 18 and under
● Adult
Optional professional audio recordings and publications/distributions opportunities
“New Classics” Series
1. Selected Composers may be offered an additional opportunity to have their string quartet composition recorded for CiMA (Cicerone Music and Arts) with distribution on global audio download platforms (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Deezer and similar). Recording may be offered as a separate opportunity, or in conjunction with a performance at Carnegie Hall.
Participating string quartet ensembles available for the project:
• Lehner Quartet
• Bayberry String Quartet
2. Selected Composers may be offered an additional opportunity to have their orchestral composition recorded for CiMA (Cicerone Music and Arts) with distribution on global audio download platforms (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Deezer and similar). Recording may be offered as a separate opportunity, or in conjunction with a performance at Carnegie Hall.
Participating orchestra:
• Orchestra Manhattan conducted by David Wroe
For dates of recording sessions at DiMenna Center in NY see the websites and announcements.
“New Artists” Series
Instrumental and vocal soloists may be offered an additional opportunity to have record their selected composition with Orchestra for CiMA (Cicerone Music and Arts) with distribution on global audio download platforms (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Deezer and similar). Recording may be offered as a separate opportunity, or in conjunction with a performance at Carnegie Hall.
Participating orchestra:
• Orchestra Manhattan conducted by David Wroe
For dates of recording sessions at DiMenna Center in NY see the websites and announcements.
This is a pay-to-record opportunity which is self-funded by composers/soloists.
The Organizing Committee supports composers’ and soloists’ efforts at fundraising and will provide upon request confirmation/invitation letters and other supporting documentation for grant applications.
Please note: we do not fill out or submit grant applications on behalf of the Galas participants.
For more details and to get cost estimations please send your inquiries to
Fees
See websites for current season’s information
Live Audition fee** (if selected based on video submission).
● See websites for current season’s information
● Live audition is not required for Large Ensembles
● Fee includes a group Technology preparation session
**Live Audition requirement is waived for Large Ensembles and Composers
To receive comments from the Judges Panel in the Live Finals of the Auditions and to have their works presented in the Internet TV Broadcast Composers and Large Ensembles may audition with pre-recorded videos.
Performance fees and performance time limits
● Fees vary for each event and depend on the repertory selected and format. For estimated cost information please send inquiries to james.vchs@gmail.com
● There are no required time limits, but the Program Directors Board consisting of the Organizing Committee and the Orchestras’ Music Directors may restrict individual performance’s lengths in the interest of presenting a balanced program for the audience’s enjoyment
Scores and Copyrights
Publicly available scores not under copyrights will be used for performances and auditions. If a score is not available in public domain, it is the soloist’s responsibility to provide all necessary parts for the orchestra and accompanist.
Composers may only submit scores for which they own copyrights. It is the composer’s responsibility to ensure complete compliance with all relevant copyrights’ rules and regulations. By submitting the score, the composer acknowledges that the piece can be performed and broadcast publicly without any copyright-related charge or claim.
Release/Consent Forms
All performers on Live Broadcasts must consent to participation in the event. By submitting your Application, performers and composers agree to the terms and conditions of public broadcasting. See the form here.
International Panel of Judges and judging format
Judges provide immediate on-air feedback to participants during the Live Audition stage. To learn more about the Judges, and to see their bios click here.
Performers are offered slots on the programs based on the Judges’ scores and in the interest of programming balanced and enjoyable concert experience to public.
GENERAL RULES
Incomplete applications (including failure to pay the application fee) will not be processed Application fee is not refundable.
Decisions on selections are final and cannot be appealed. However, a commentary about performance from the artistic committee may be provided upon request (in English language only).
VIDEO MATERIAL
Auditionees are required to submit video recording materials for the audition. Recording should be a fair representation of the contestants' abilities but does not need to be of a professional quality. Auditionees must submit either one or two video recordings.
The repertoire choice is free, with no time limit.
Accompaniment
Auditionees will not be discriminated against for their choice of accompaniment (live piano accompaniment, track, or no accompaniment).
Miscellaneous
● Progressive Musicians and Sound Espressivo reserve the rights to make any changes regarding rules, dates, schedules, and other information related to the auditions and the Laureate Gala.
● Carnegie Hall Archival Recordings and Photography. Please read carefully as it contains important regulations and details Private recordings are not permitted at any time, including rehearsal time Carnegie Hall will make an archival audio/video recording.
● Producers/artists must sign a contract verifying that the audio/video recording is for archival purposes only and will not be shared or posted in any public forum, including social media.
●For further details please see Carnegie Rules
● Organizers reserve the right to make any changes in the rules, schedule and other information related to the award
● Underage* auditionees shall be under the responsibility of their parents or legal guardians. They must be supervised at all times by their parents or legal guardians.
*LEGAL AGE IS DETERMINED ACCORDING TO LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE
COUNTRY OR JURISDICTION OF AUDITIONEES’ PRIMARY RESIDENCE
● Organizers are not responsible for any damage or theft of instruments or personal belongings of participants.
● Auditionees agree and authorize the organizers of the concert to use their image for any publicity and activity related to the event.
● Auditionees are required to provide a high-resolution photo for the publicity purposes
● Auditionees waive all rights to television broadcasting remuneration. There will be no financial remuneration for their performance.
● All auditionees are responsible for their own expenses (travel, accommodations, accompanists, etc)
● The official language of the audition is English.
QUESTIONS AND MORE INFORMATION
• Feel free to contact us anytime with questions and inquiries. Email us at james.vchs@gmail.com or call/text us at 716-800-9819