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The 2020 HAL LEONARD VOCAL COMPETITION

THE NORTH AMERICAN COMPETITION FOR SINGERS, SPONSORED BY THE WORLD LEADER IN VOCAL MUSIC

$10,000 IN PRIZES FOR YOUNG SINGERS, CHILDREN THROUGH COLLEGE UNDERGRADUATES

2020 will be the tenth year of the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, the innovative online competition for singers. This is the only vocal competition for all of North America aimed at young singers, ages 23 and under, and one of the first legitimate competitions for music students held entirely online on YouTube.

In keeping with our founding values for the competition, there is no entry fee, making it accessible to any qualifying singer, from any location in North America (and U.S. territories), who records a video comprised of songs from the required repertoire, and then posts it on the internet in the prescribed manner by the deadline. This eliminates the commonly encountered expenses of travel to a designated destination on a specific date, as is the case in conventional music competitions.

Cash prizes are awarded to first place winners in each category, and valuable gift certificates are awarded to those singers placing second and third. Gift certificates are also possible for those named Honorable Mention. All these prizes are in the spirit of supporting further music study among talented singers.

We also very much value the sense of shared community that singers and teachers may find in watching video entries of others from all over North America.

We give an inadequate salute to all the thousands of music teachers in North America. You inspire us by keeping our musical heritage alive, passing it on to one student at a time.

Best of luck to all!

We congratulate our past prize winners! Click on the year to see the video entries of past prize winners:

View the Winning Videos from our Previous Years

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

OFFICIAL RULES

In the spirit of fairness to all entries, these rules must be followed explicitly, without exception. It simply would not be fair to all other entrants if we allow an entry that does not follow all the rules.

The rules and guidelines apply to both categories,
Art Song and Musical Theatre.

Official Entry Forms may be accessed at the end of the Required Repertoire for each age division within a category.

  1. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada.
  2. Video entries must be submitted by 1:59 am Central time on February 2, 2020. Any entries after that strict deadline will be disqualified. To be absolutely clear when your video is due please consult the list of time zones below:
    • Atlantic Time Zone: February 2, 3:59 am
    • Eastern Time Zone: February 2, 2:59 am
    • Central Time Zone: February 2, 1:59 am
    • Mountain Time Zone: February 2, 12:59 am
    • Pacific Time Zone: February 1, 11:59 pm
    • Alaskan Time Zone: February 1, 10:59 pm
    • Hawaiian Time Zone: February 1, 8:59 pm
  3. Designated winners may be asked to provide proof of age before the dispensation of prizes.
  4. Results will be announced to entrants via email and on www.halleonard.com/vocalcomp by May 1, 2020. We have added an optional field for teacher's email address to the official entry form; if the teacher's email address is entered, the teacher will also receive notification of results.
  5. An entrant may only win a first place cash prize once per age division within a category (art song or musical theatre). For instance, if you win first place in the Early Teen Voices Art Song category at age 14, you cannot enter again in that category the next year at age 15. Second Place, Third Place and Honorable Mentions are free to re-enter in the same age division.
  6. In the interest of fairness, employees of Hal Leonard, Hal Leonard published composers, editors, arrangers or authors, or members of their immediate families, or their students, are not allowed to enter the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition.
  7. You must follow the repertoire guidelines. Music competitions generally have required repertoire, and the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition is no different in this regard. The publications in the required repertoire list for each category and age division have been carefully considered, and generally offer a variety of material from which to choose. In fairness, we must insist that all entrants abide by these prescribed rules.

    Make certain that you have chosen songs from the required repertoire publications for your age division. It is not acceptable to sing repertoire from another age division, even a higher age division. Doing so will require us to disqualify your entry.
  8. For the Children's Voices and Early Teens Voices categories only, we will allow transposition if the voice teacher feels this solves a vocal problem for the singer. If you wish to transpose a song, it is required that you seek permission for each song that you wish to transpose. Permissions must be sought via email to vocal@halleonard.com.

    Transpositions are allowed only to address vocal issues common to children and voices going through puberty. Transpositions will not be allowed for the high school and college categories.
  9. Two contrasting songs are required. Do not sing two slow songs or two fast songs or two songs of similar character.
  10. Accompanists are forbidden to use photocopies. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications in printed or ebook form. Entries with visible photocopies or visible loose pages of any kind will be automatically disqualified. Photocopying music is illegal. The purchase of a publication does not grant the right to photocopy for rehearsal or performance with a pianist.

    Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this strict rule. We cannot make any exceptions. Pianists must play from original publications, whether this is their preference or not. There is no other choice for this competition. We urge the use of page turners as necessary.
  11. The performance recorded for the video entry must be acoustic and not amplified. The only microphone(s) involved should be for recording, and your voice must not be amplified.
  12. No mixing or sound enhancement is allowed through any kind of soundboard, including at a recording studio. No reverb can be added to the recording. The recording must be honest and acoustic. As closely as possible, it needs to be as if the judges were in the room listening to you perform live. You must sing live on the video. No audio dubbing over your video is allowed. Be aware that if your video entry sounds as if you have added reverb or enhanced the sound in any way, even if this is not the case, the judges will question and possibly disqualify your entry. If you are recording your video in a professional recording studio (which is completely unnecessary and possibly unwise for this competition), the sound engineer must not add reverb, sound enhancement or sound mixing in any way.
  13. Complete introductions, interludes, etc., must be performed. All repeats must be performed. If a singer is uncomfortable with a song which has a long introduction or interlude, choose a different song!
  14. Tasteful, stylistic ornamentation is allowed for Baroque selections in the art song category. Note any specific repertory requirements for each category.
  15. For musical theatre selections, a few interpretive liberties are allowed, but these should be deliberately chosen stylistic choices, not musical inaccuracies. The style of singing remains musical theatre, and should not venture into pop/rock/jazz improvisation. The taste and interpretive choices a singer makes will be part of what is judged. If the judges believe the singer has strayed too far away from the song as written, or from the way it is traditionally performed, it could impact the judging. Some teachers seem to think that if a singer does not sing exactly the notes and rhythms that are on the page, that the student audition should not be judged positively. It's up to the judges to decide what is acceptable within the style, and what is not. This applies to the piano accompaniment. Appropriate stylistic deviation is acceptable, however reharmonization and widely varying distractions will not be accepted.
  16. For the Art Song competition, in any age category, your video must be titled as follows:

    HL Art Song 2020 [Your Name]
    For instance:
    HL Art Song 2020 Mary Smith
    To be explicit:
    HL(one space)Art(one space)Song(one space)2020(one space)Mary(one space)Smith
    Note that HL is capitalized with no space between the H and L, and the first letter of Art and Song are capitalized. Also note that Art and Song are two separate words, with one space between them.
  17. For the Musical Theatre competition, in any age category, your video must be titled as follows:

    HL Theatre 2020 [Your Name]
    For instance:
    HL Theatre 2020 Mary Smith
    To be explicit:
    HL(one space)Theatre(one space)2020(one space)Mary(one space)Smith
    Note that HL is capitalized with no space between the H and L, and the first letter of theatre is capitalized. Note the spelling of Theatre (We have chosen Theatre as the spelling, not Theater, which is another acceptable spelling.)

    The judges will not spend time searching for your video if it is incorrectly labeled.
  18. In the official entry form, you will be providing the link with the web address of your video posting. Hal Leonard will also be copying your posting into the Hal Leonard Vocal Channel. Please double check the link provided.
  19. The video must clearly show your face. A stationary camera position throughout, showing your face and most of your body, is perfectly acceptable, even preferable.
  20. Singers are required to sing their selections from memory. If a singer's performance is not memorized, the entry will be disqualified.
  21. You may sing with a live pianist in your video entry, or you may sing with official Hal Leonard recorded accompaniments which are packaged with or are companion to the required publications. Only official Hal Leonard recorded accompaniments are allowed. No other recorded accompaniments will be accepted, including orchestrated accompaniments and MIDI generated backing tracks.

    We will not accept unaccompanied entries. You may not accompany yourself.

    Note that the quality of the accompanist's playing can affect not only your singing, but also the judging. An accompaniment with many wrong notes creates a bad impression. If you believe this may be an issue, we urge you to use Hal Leonard recorded accompaniments instead.
  22. The video should be in the spirit of a recital or audition. It may be shot in a home, school, church, synagogue, recital hall, or some other appropriate location, with or without an audience. Please take into account the acoustics of the room. A small room with dead acoustics will not flatter a voice. We encourage you to dress appropriately, as you would for a recital or an audition.
  23. You are required to introduce yourself and your selections in the video, either verbally before your selection or with a title card before the songs. This is a simple introduction in the spirit of an audition. This introductory portion of the video entry must be limited to the following:

    FOR THE ART SONG COMPETITION
    • Your name
    • The composer and title of your selection (prior to each song)
    FOR THE MUSICAL THEATRE COMPETITION
    • Your name
    • The title of the song
    • The show the song is from
    Do not say or write anything more in your video entry to the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. Those departing from this stated direction may be disqualified.

    For the Art Song Competition, a typical model of spoken introduction before the first selection is:

    I am __________________. I will sing "The Silver Swan" by Orlando Gibbons (Or after your name you could simply state the selection without saying 'I will sing')

    Before the second selection, simply state the song title and the composer. For example:

    "Per la gloria d'adorarvi" by Giovanni Bononcini

    Take very special care to pronounce the title of your song and the composer's name correctly.

    For the Musical Theatre Competition, a typical model of spoken introduction before the first selection is:

    I am __________________. I will sing "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid. (Or after your name you could simply state the selection without saying 'I will sing')

    Before the second selection, simply introduce the song by stating the song title and the show the song is from:

    "Where Is Love" from Oliver!
  24. Video editing during a song is not allowed under any circumstances. This will be automatic grounds for disqualification. Each song should be filmed in one continuous take. The only editing allowed in the audition video is the insertion of an introduction, if necessary, and the editing together of two required songs. Do not change camera angles within the performance of a song.
  25. Each singer should submit both required songs within one video entry for a category.
  26. A singer is allowed to enter both the Art Song and Musical Theatre Competitions.
  27. There is no fee required for entry in the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition.

We have attempted to thoroughly address all issues in these rules and guidelines. We repeat that, in fairness to all entrants, the official rules must be followed explicitly, without exception. The repertoire requirements must be strictly followed. If you write to us asking us to make an exception for you regarding required repertoire, or asking to submit a video entry to the competition after the stated deadline, we will simply write back stating that we must enforce the rules.

We believe questions about topics beyond those covered should be very rare. If they arise, they may be directed to vocal@halleonard.com.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH RULES AND OTHER TOPICS

THE USE OF VISIBLE PHOTOCOPIES IS PROHIBITED

We have had to disqualify some video entries because of use of photocopies by accompanists, a clear violation of the rules. Most music competitions ban photocopies. Because we are, after all, a music publisher, we must take this rule very seriously.

We have also added to this rule a ban of playing from any visible loose pages of music of any kind, whether they are photocopies or pages cut from a book, or any visible loose pages placed in any kind of binder, because the judges cannot tell that loose pages such as these are not photocopies. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this strict rule. Pianists must play from original publications, whether this is their preference or not. The purchase of a publication does not grant the right to photocopy for rehearsal or performance with a pianist. We urge the use of page turners as necessary.

SONGS MUST BE FROM THE REQUIRED REPERTOIRE LIST

Each year we are forced to disqualify a few entries because the singer sings songs that are not from the list of specified required repertoire publications for a category. This has particularly been a problem in the children's categories. Singers must sing songs from the publications listed in the required repertoire list for the category of entry. Music competitions generally have required repertoire, and the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition is no different in this regard. The publications in the required repertoire list for each category and age division have been carefully considered, and generally offer a wide array of material from which to choose. In fairness, we must insist that all entrants abide by these prescribed rules.

Each year we receive inquiries that essentially ask, "May I sing a song from a book not on the required repertoire list?" Or, "I have this book not on your repertoire list. May I sing a song from this instead? The answer to these questions will always be no. In fairness to all entrants we must insist that the repertoire rules be followed. If you sing a song not from one of the publications in the required repertoire list, you will be disqualified.

Also, many singer entries make mistakes in listing which publication a song is from. Please accurately list in your entry form the title of the book in which your song is published.

ENTER THE APPROPRIATE AGE DIVISION AND CATEGORY

Age is defined as the entering singer's age on the deadline of February 1, 2020. Make certain that you enter the correct age division of the competition. Each year we have entries in the wrong age division or wrong category, Art Song or Musical Theatre.

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY MUST BE RESPECTED

Video entries must be submitted by 1:59 am Central time on February 2, 2020. Any entries after that strict deadline will be disqualified. To be absolutely clear when your video is due please consult the list of time zones below:

  • Atlantic Time Zone: February 2, 3:59 am
  • Eastern Time Zone: February 2, 2:59 am
  • Central Time Zone: February 2, 1:59 am
  • Mountain Time Zone: February 2, 12:59 am
  • Pacific Time Zone: February 1, 11:59 pm
  • Alaskan Time Zone: February 1, 10:59 pm
  • Hawaiian Time Zone: February 1, 8:59 pm

TRANSPOSITIONS

For High School and College/Young Adult age divisions, the video entries in the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, songs must be sung in a published key that is in a publication on the required repertoire list for a category. Note that some of the publications on the required repertoire list come in more than one key (such as High Voice or Low Voice). As long as it is a published key from one of the publications on the required repertoire list, the entry is acceptable. For the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition we will not accept entries of transposed keys that are not in the required repertoire list of publications.

We have decided to allow transpositions for the Children's Voices and Early Teen Voices categories, but you must follow the specific instructions stated in the Official Rules and Guidelines.

VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY

While we do not expect professional quality video and audio, after hearing thousands of video auditions for the competition, we have observed that those videos with notably poor video and audio quality make a less than good impression. On some entries the audio is so distorted that it is impossible to get a good impression of the singer's voice. We urge you to do the best you can. Take acoustics and the placement of microphones into account. Please test the recording set up before recording your video. A video audition sung in a small room with dead acoustics will generally make a less flattering vocal impression than a video audition recorded in a room with more sympathetic acoustics. When using a smartphone to make a recording, a better result can be achieved by holding the phone horizontally rather than vertically.

YOUTUBE PUBLIC SETTING

Every year we have entries that do not understand the "public" view setting on YouTube, and we have to ask the video to be made viewable. If you do not want your video to be publicly accessible, this is not the right competition for you.

AMPLIFICATION AND SOUND ENHANCEMENT

There must be no amplification of the voice, no added reverb, or any sound enhancement added to the voice. Carefully read rules 15 and 16. Each year we have to disqualify singers who violate this rule. This must be an acoustic audition. If you choose to record in a recording studio (which is completely unnecessary), the sound engineer must not mix the sound, balance the voice and piano, multi-track record the voice and piano, add reverb, or alter in any way the acoustic sound of the voice. There should just be microphones for recording set up in the live room in the recording studio. Please do not make the mistake of overproducing this video audition regarding sound engineering. Also, a live performance with a microphone that is amplified through speakers is not allowed.

Each entry must be via video posted at www.youtube.com, with the link provided on the entry form. For information on posting videos we recommend exploring the Help section found on the YouTube homepage. Please note that you must select "Public" in the Privacy settings found under the broadcasting and Sharing Options section when uploading your video file to YouTube. If you select "Unlisted" or "Private" your submission will be invalid. Please only enter the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition if you are comfortable posting a public video on YouTube. Every year we have entries that do not understand the public video point, and we have to ask them to make their video viewable, and we sometimes have a reply that says, "I don't want my video publicly viewed." That's the spirit of YouTube. Don't enter if you don't want your video publicly viewed.

JUDGING

Art Song

Judging will be by a qualified panel selected by Hal Leonard. Decisions made will be final. Criteria for judging will be most importantly voice quality and overall vocal talent. Additionally, judges will consider clarity of voice, diction, musicianship, musicality and expression, the singer's choice of repertoire, communication, presentation, and the performing personality of the singer.

Musical Theatre

We remind you that this is a singing competition. We urge performers to refrain from choreography in the musical video entries; however, we want lively, theatrical singing. Classical singers with good voices singing theatre repertoire need to sing in an appropriate theatre style, with persuasive acting and expression. Bland classical performances of theatre songs will not likely get a good judging result. Judging will be by a qualified panel selected by Hal Leonard. Decisions made will be final. Criteria for judging singing actors will be voice quality and overall vocal talent combined with theatrically persuasive ability to communicate. Additionally, judges will consider acting ability, clarity of voice, diction, musicianship, musicality, and expression, the singer's choice of repertoire, communication and presentation, and the performing personality of the singer.

Competition Age Divisions with Required Repertoire

See required repertoire details for each category and age division below. To find out more about any of the required repertoire publications listed, including viewing complete contents, enter the 8-digit publication number in the Search field at www.halleonard.com.

The 2020 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition is closed for final judging. No further submissions will be accepted. Winners will be announced by May 1, 2020. Thank you to all who participated in the competition. Look for an announcement of the 2020 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition in the summer of 2020.

CHILDREN'S VOICES, AGE 12 AND UNDER - ART SONG
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$250 cash

Second Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$50 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one Book with a retail value of up to $30.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the Children's Voices category

The purpose of having a children's art song category is to hear natural, lyrical singing with a "classical" approach, as opposed to a child's natural belting sound appropriate to musical theatre. To be explicit, we are not looking for the child's belting style of singing in this category. If that is the child's natural singing voice, please enter in the Musical Theatre category only.

There is a limited amount of "classical" repertoire suitable to children. Two contrasting songs are required. No other repertoire is acceptable for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified.

You must sing repertoire as stated below. No substitutions of other repertoire is allowed. We inexplicably get questions every year from quite a few people asking if they can sing songs not on the required repertoire list. The answer will always be no. Please do not ask us for allowances or exceptions to the required repertoire list for this category. If you sing songs outside of the publications listed below on the required list, your entry will be disqualified.

Note to teachers and parents: We have more disqualifications in the children's categories than any other category because repertoire rules are not followed. Fairness must prevail, and we cannot have a publicly declared winner with songs not on the required repertoire list. Be absolutely certain that the contestant is singing songs from the required repertoire only. Do not sing songs from a higher category.

  • Art Songs for Children

    Book/Audio

  • The Boy's Changing Voice

    (for a boy's voice in transition; not recommended for a boy's voice not yet in transition as the range will be too low)

    Hal Leonard

    Book/Audio

  • Daffodils, Violets & Snowflakes

    compiled by Joan Frey Boytim

    High Voice, Book/Audio
    Low Voice, Book/Audio

  • 36 Solos for Young Singers

    compiled by Joan Frey Boytim; Hal Leonard

    Book/Audio

    DO NOT SING THE FOLLOWING from 36 Solos for Young Singers:

    • Sit Down, Sister
    • The Desperado
    • Git Along, Little Dogies
    • He's Got the Whole World in His Hand
    • Macnamara's Band
  • 36 More Solos for Young Singers

    compiled by Joan Frey Boytim; Hal Leonard

    Book/Audio

  • 25 Folksong Solos for Children

    Book/Audio

EARLY TEEN VOICES, AGES 13-15 - ART SONG
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$500 cash

Second Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$50 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one Book with a retail value of up to $30.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the Early Teen Voices category

Any two contrasting songs from the following publications. Your entry may be two songs in English, or one song in English and one song in Italian. Two songs in Italian are not allowed. The contrast between the songs should include differences in mood and tempo. Do not sing two fast songs, or two slow songs. Only editions of songs from these designated publications are allowed for entry.

You must sing repertoire as stated below. No substitutions of other repertoire is allowed. We inexplicably get questions every year from quite a few people asking if they can sing songs from publications not on the required repertoire list. The answer will always be no. Please do not ask us for allowances or exceptions to the required repertoire list for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified. Do not sing songs from a higher category.

A helpful comment: You will not necessarily do better in the judging by choosing a more difficult and challenging song if you cannot master it well. It is better to sing something you do well.

HIGH SCHOOL VOICES, AGES 16-18 - ART SONG
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada and attending a High School or its equivalent or studying with a teacher at the time of entry. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. See Rule 13. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$750 cash

Second Place

$200 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one Book with a retail value of up to $30.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the High School Voices category

Any two contrasting songs in two different languages from the following publications. The contrast between the songs should include differences in language, mood and tempo. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs. Only editions of songs from these designated publications are allowed for entry. No other repertoire is acceptable for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified.

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ADULT VOICES (UNDERGRADUATES), AGES 18-23 - ART SONG
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada and enrolled as an undergraduate at a college, university or conservatory or studying with a private teacher at time of entry. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$1000 cash

Second Place

$200 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one Book with a retail value of up to $50.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the College/University Voices category

Choose any two contrasting songs in two different languages only from the following publications. The contrast between the songs should include differences in language, mood and tempo. We advise you to choose songs that show your vocal and expressive capabilities, revealing a true feeling for art song and some degree of sophistication as a recitalist. The judges like to hear singers explore art song repertoire beyond the most famous and often sung songs. Only editions of songs from these designated publications are allowed for entry. No other repertoire is acceptable for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified.

Competition Age Divisions with Required Repertoire

See required repertoire details for each category and age division below. To find out more about any of the required repertoire publications listed, including viewing complete contents, enter the 8-digit publication number in the Search field at www.halleonard.com.

The 2020 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition is closed for final judging. No further submissions will be accepted. Winners will be announced by May 1, 2020. Thank you to all who participated in the competition. Look for an announcement of the 2020 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition in the summer of 2020.

CHILDREN'S VOICES, AGE 12 AND UNDER - MUSICAL THEATRE
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$250 cash

Second Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$50 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one Book with a retail value of up to $30.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the Children's Voices category

Any two contrasting songs from the following publications. The contrast between the songs should include differences in mood and tempo. Do not sing two fast songs or two slow songs. Only editions of songs from these designated publications are allowed for entry. No other repertoire is acceptable for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified.

You must sing repertoire as stated below. No substitutions of other repertoire is allowed. There are plenty of choices of songs in the publications listed below. We inexplicably get questions every year from quite a few people asking if they can sing songs not on the required repertoire list. The answer will always be no. Please do not ask us for allowances or exceptions to the required repertoire list for this category. If you sing songs outside of the publications listed below on the required list, your entry will be disqualified.

Note to Teachers and Parents: We have more disqualifications in the children's categories than any other category because repertoire rules are not followed. Fairness must prevail, and we cannot have a publicly declared winner with songs not on the required repertoire list. Be absolutely certain that the contestant is singing songs from the required repertoire publications only.

EARLY TEEN VOICES, AGES 13-15 - MUSICAL THEATRE
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$500 cash

Second Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$50 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one Book with a retail value of up to $30.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the Early Teen Voices category

Any two contrasting songs from the following publications. The contrast between the songs should include differences in mood and tempo. Do not sing two fast songs, or two slow songs. Only editions of songs from these designated publications are allowed for entry. No other repertoire is acceptable for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified.

HIGH SCHOOL VOICES, AGES 16-18 - MUSICAL THEATRE
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada and attending a High School or its equivalent or studying with a teacher at the time of entry. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$750 cash

Second Place

$200 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one book with a retail value of up to $30.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the High School Voices category

Any two contrasting songs from the following publications. The contrast between the songs should include differences in mood and tempo. Only editions of songs from these designated publications are allowed for entry. No other repertoire is acceptable for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified.

YOUNG ADULT VOICES, AGES 18-23 - MUSICAL THEATRE
Repertoire Requirements and Prizes

Note: For this category, it is not necessary for a contestant to be enrolled in a school for entry. Working or aspiring young professionals may enter.

For the purposes of this competition, age is defined as the age of the entrant on the deadline date of February 1, 2020. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and its territories, or legal residents of Canada. Entries which include songs which are not from the publications listed in the repertoire requirements for this age group and category below will be disqualified.

Photocopies are illegal, and are not allowed. Pianists accompanying singers must play from original publications, not loose pages of any kind or loose pages in a binder. (A page turner may be needed.) Entries with visible photocopies or loose pages, or loose pages in a binder will be automatically disqualified. Singers are responsible for the accompanist's compliance with this rule.

Please be aware of contrast. Do not sing two slow songs, or two fast songs, or two songs of similar character.

First Place

$1000 cash

Second Place

$200 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Third Place

$100 gift certificate for music publications of the designee's choice available from Hal Leonard

Further gift certificates for Honorable Mentions are possible for one book with a retail value of up to $50.00.

At the judges' discretion, further entries may be cited as Finalists and or Semi-Finalist for a category. It is entirely up to the judges when judging a specific category as to whether Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be cited. These distinctions are not necessarily cited for all categories. The Finalists are those who achieved a level of consideration in the round of judging which determined the place winners and Honorable Mentions. Semi-Finalists are those who were cited as meriting further consideration after the first round of judging. There are no prizes for these distinctions of Finalist and Semi-Finalist.

Required repertoire for the College/University and Young Adult Voices category:

Any two contrasting songs from the following publications. The contrast between the songs should include differences in mood and tempo. Only editions of songs from these designated publications are allowed for entry. No other repertoire is acceptable for this category. Entries with songs not from one of the publications below will be disqualified.