Application Details and Rules

 

Rimrock Opera of Billings, Montana, announces

 

The Margaret Kimball Operatic Competition

Rimrock Opera of Billings, Montana

 

Click here for application form html | pdf

 

This bi-annual Operatic competition is open to all singers who are United States citizens, and residents or students of the states of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, or Utah. Contestants must meet age requirements on the date of the finals competitions for that year between the ages of 18-35.

 

  1. No singer who has already sung a leading role with Rimrock Opera will be eligible.

 

  1. The application must be completely filled out and signed by the applicant. The application form must be accompanied by a standard cassette tape or CD (non-returnable) of two (2) contrasting arias in style and language from any operatic repertoire. Only submit two selections. They may be accompanied by piano or orchestra, and/or can be extracted from a live recording. Oratorio, lieder or art songs will not be accepted. The arias must be listed on the jacket of the tape or CD, along with the contestant’s name. In addition, the application must include a $25.00 non-refundable application fee in the form of check or money order, one (1) black and white 8” X 10” photograph and furnish a copy of legal proof of age (e.g. passport, birth certificate, driver’s license), and a copy of proof of residency or school matriculation (driver’s license, voter registration or student ID). Checks should be made payable to Rimrock Opera. THE APPLICATION MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2007. Incomplete or late applications will not be processed.

 

  1. Applications will be evaluated by a screening committee and all applicants will be notified whether or not they have reached the finals. If you have not received notification by April 27, 2007, please contact the Rimrock Opera at 406-671-2214. Successful applicants will receive further information regarding the details of the finals. All applications are considered confidential.

 

  1. Ten (10) contestants will be chosen for the finals. Each contestant will be required to arrange their own transportation to and from Billings for the finals, which are held on Friday, July 6, 2007, in Billings, Montana. Winners are invited to remain in Billings one additional day to sing as special guests in a “Magic City Stars” Concert on Saturday, July 7, 2007 in Billings. All finalists will be housed and fed at home stays in the Billings area.

 

  1. Finalists must be prepared to sing four (4) operatic arias from memory. They should be contrasting languages, styles and periods. One aria must be from an American opera, sung in English. All arias must be sung in original language and key. Exceptions may be made for standard transpositions (e.g. “La Calunnia” from the Barber of Seville, key of C major rather than D major). Contestants will choose the first aria. Then judges will request a second and possibility a third selection from those arias listed on the application. Any change in competition repertoire must be submitted by June 15, 2007.

 

  1. A professional accompanist will be provided at no additional charge. Rehearsal time with the competition accompanist is limited to ½ hour of rehearsal time per contestant on July 5 or July 6, 2007. Contestants may choose to bring their own pianist at their own expense.

 

  1. Competition finals will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, July 6, 2007, at Skyview High School Auditorium in Billings, Montana.

 

  1. Winners will receive cash awards totaling $2,000. The judges’ decisions are final. In addition, the first place winner will be guaranteed a leading role in an upcoming Rimrock Opera production.

 

  1. Awards will be forfeited for supplying false or incorrect information and/or failure to comply with competition rules.

 

  1. All finalists are responsible for their own travel costs. An honorarium will be given to each finalist of $100.00 towards travel upon arrival in Billings.

 

  1. A completed applications package should include the following:

 

    • Completed application form
    • Copy of legal proof of age
    • Proof of residency or school matriculation in applicable state
    • A cassette or CD of 2 contrasting arias
    • $25.00 non-refundable application fee
    • One black and white head shot

 

Please mail application package postmarked no later than Monday, March 19, 2007 to:

 

Douglas Nagel, Artistic Director

Rimrock Opera

3260 Banff Ave

Billings, MT 59102