The first of what is planned to be an annual event, the James Toland Vocal Arts Competition will have its finals June 20-21, in Oakland's Holy Names University.
Fourteen finalists will participate in the contest for prizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and a performance opportunity as soloist with Michael Morgan's Oakland East Bay Symphony. Friday evening some of the finalists will take part in an open masterclass with mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer.
The Oakland-based James Toland Vocal Arts, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation formed to encourage and cultivate emerging talents of singers who aspire to a professional career in vocal performance. Morgan says of the competition:
When James Toland approached me about having a voice competition, what interested me was the fact that the competition will encourage fine singing talent across many genres. In the first competition, opera, traditional jazz and cabaret, art songs, and musical theater will all be in the mix.Future competitions will be expanded to other forms as well. There are not a lot of other contests around that seek out and promote good singing regardless of the type of music being sung. This is one thing that's missing from our music education efforts in the Bay Area.
Because the Oakland East Bay Symphony has such a variety of programs, I have no doubt that we can find an occasion to feature the winner. I hope this serves to encourage singing of all kinds and at all ages. It is the most accessible form of musical expression there is, and I am thrilled to be a part of this.