• Please prepare two songs: One from Category 1 and one song from Category 2 as indicated below. At least one of your selections must be sung in a foreign language
• Each song must not exceed 3 minutes. This may require eliminating repeats. The fact that you do not sing a piece in its entirety will not be held against you in judging
• You must know the literal translation of the words in your song(s)
• Please show your personality and character
• Should you be selected as a finalist, the choice of song presented at the Spotlight Awards Concert will be at the sole discretion of the semifinal judges
• Check out the Judges’ Tips section in the Quicklinks to see what the judges are looking for in your audition

Category 1: One art song/Baroque aria from the 24 Italian Songs & Arias Book (or subsequent editions) or any song written by one of the following composers:

Bellini, Cavalli, Carissimi, Chausson, Donaudy, Donizetti, Dowland, Handel (arias OK), Monteverdi (arias Ok), Pergolesi (arias OK), Rossini, Scarlatti, Tosti, Vivaldi (arias OK), JS Bach (arias OK), Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn (both), Mozart, Schubert, Schumann (both), Strauss, Wolf, Bizet, Debussy, Faure, Franck, Hahn, Massenet, Poulenc, Ravel, Saint-Saens, Barber, Britten, Bernstein, Bolcom, Copland, Duke, Dougherty, Finzi, Foster, Haydn, Hoiby, Ives, Quilter, Purcell, Rorem, Vaughan-Williams, Da Falla, Granados, or Rodrigo

Category 2: One art song, spiritual (suggested arrangements: Burleigh or Hogan), or aria from the standard classical vocal & operatic repertoire.

Arias must be in the original keys; Arie antiche and songs should be in keys suitable to voice type. You must know the literal translation of the pieces you are performing. You may sing with a tape, CD, or provide your own accompanist