National Opera Association

Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition Guideline and Rules

Eligibility

• Competition is for college and university programs only.
• All participants must be current students at the time of the competition.
• Directors must be members of NOA and pay the convention fee.
  (Directors bringing five or more students will receive a discount).
• Each student participant will pay the $60 convention fee.
• There is no fee to enter the competition.
• The scene entry shall have been performed between August 2009 and October 15, 2010.
• The scene submitted for the Preliminary Round does not have to be the same scene presented in the Final Round at the convention, but must meet the same criteria in the guidelines.

Guidelines

Competition Categories:

Division I: All performers are between the ages of 18 – 22
Division II: All performers are age 23 and older

(In the case of a scene cast with mixed ages, the committee will determine the division category for that entry.)

Length of Scene:

Suggested scene length is 8 – 10 minutes. The timekeeper will stop any scene longer than ten minutes.

Set/Props/Costumes:

Set pieces are limited to convention hotel tables, chairs, and rehearsal blocks. No other set pieces are to be utilized in the scene. Props and costumes are at the discretion of the director.

Performance Space:

The committee will request the largest stage available at the hotel that is not less than a 24 feet x 32 feet platform.

Judging Criteria:

The scene will be judged on musical style and accuracy, diction, vocal quality, basic stagecraft, individual characterization and ensemble interaction, movement or choreography, and creative use of set, props, and costumes based on the competition limitations.

Preliminary Round

A completed application (available as a Word document or PDF form) and a tape or DVD of the 8 – 10 minute (maximum) scene shall be postmarked no later than October 15, 2010 and mailed to: Julia Aubrey, Director of Opera Theatre, 141 Music Building, University, MS 38677. Tape and DVD excerpts should be labeled only with the opera and scene name to preserve anonymity for the preliminary judging round.

Final Round

• A maximum of ten finalists will advance and compete in a live performance at the National Convention in San Antonio, Texas on January 6, 2011.
• Upon being moved to the finals, an official letter of invitation to the Convention shall be extended to the director by November 15, 2010.
• Finalists will notify the COSC Chair of their acceptance no later than December 1, 2010.
• Winners will be recognized directly after the competition. First place winners will received an engraved plaque with second and third place winners receiving a certificate. All finalists will receive a participation certificate.
• The first place winners will be featured in their own session on Friday, January 7.
• This will be a master class situation with two professional directors. In the case of a first place winner not being available, the COSC committee may substitute a second place winner for this opportunity.
• Video of the winning scenes will be posted on the NOA website following the January convention.