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Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year

Annually, Shreveport Opera hosts The Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year Competition, Shreveport's only national singing competition. Contestants travel from across the country to vie for the title of Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year as well as the cash award that accompanies the title. The award not only helps them to pursue a career that is both challenging and expensive but also allows them to audition for future seasons with Shreveport Opera. Over the years, competitors have gone on to secure leading roles in some of the most famous opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and many more!

Singers in the competition must have performed at least one major role with a university, summer vocal program, or professional opera company to qualify. The contestants then go through the preliminary section of the contest, which is based on a professional recording containing three arias submitted by each applicant. From these applicants, 20 are selected to participate in the semifinals here in Shreveport. The Judges then hear all of the remaining applicants on Saturday and determine the ten finalists. Those ten then compete in the Finalists Concert on Sunday.

The 2013 Competition was held on January 19 & 20 in the Anderson Auditorium of the Hurley School of Music at Centenary College of Louisiana. The judges were William Florescu, General Director of Florentine Opera, David O’Dell, General Director/CEO of Amarillo Opera, and Kathy Olsen, Founder of Encompass Arts.

Congratulations to The Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year 2013
NOEL BOULEY

For more information on this competition, please contact Steve Aiken, General & Artistic Director, at (318) 227-9503 or by email.