2026 Saengerbund Awards

Now in its 142nd year, the Houston Saengerbund is the oldest continuously operating musical organization in the city of Houston. The Saengerbund Awards are given yearly to encourage and support rising professional singers on the verge of a national career.

About Us

The Saengerbund Awards began in 2016 as a local event of the Houston Saengerbund, a private charitable foundation. The mission of the Houston Saengerbund is to support German music, language and culture of in city of Houston and beyond.

This year the prizes are as follows:

1st Prize - $5,000
2nd Prize - $4,000
3rd Prize - $3,000
Finalist Awards - $2,000
Audience Favorite - $500

Professionally Judged

Past judges have included coaches, casting directors and conductors from the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera and Houston Grand Opera, as well as leaders from other regional symphonies and opera companies.

Strong Competition

Past winners of the Saengerbund Awards have appeared with major companies throughout the USA and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, and many others.

Past Winners

Finn Sagal

2025 - 1st Prize

Aspen Opera, Chicago Opera - Ryan Opera Center

Ruby Dibble

2025 - 2nd Prize

Merola Opera 2025
Oper Frankfurt. 2025-26

Shawn Roth

2025 - 3rd Prize

Des Moines Metro Opera, Butler Opera Studio of the Houston Grand Opera

Daniel O'Hearn

2024 - 1st Prize

Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Program

James Young

2024 - 2nd Prize

Baritone at Staatstheater Wiesbaden.

Maggie Renee

2024 - 3rd Prize

Carmen, Music Academy of the West

Entry Rules

Limited to young adults aged 21-32

Two selections from German opera, oratorio, operetta, Lieder, folk song, cabaret or musical theatre. Both selections must be sung in German.

Finalists will sing a third selection in their native language. This piece may come from any source.

Deadline: Entry fee of $40 paid by November 15, 2025.

A three-minute video excerpt of one German selection is due by November 15, 2025.

The video is posted to YouTube and the link to the video should be included on the entry page of the website under Audition. For questions, email the director at germansinging2026@gmail.com

Semi-Finalists will be notified by December 1, 2025.

Semi-Finalists will send a complete recordingof their second German selection, due December 15, 2025.

Finalists will be notified no later than January 2, 2026.

Finalists will compete in the Finals Concert in Houston on Saturday, February 21st, 2026.

Travel expenses will be paid by the Houston Saengerbund.

Auditions for the 2026 contest have closed!

Thank you for your interest. Please subscribe to the newsletter for an email notification when the auditions for the 2027 contest opens!