2022 Saengerbund Awards

Now in its 138th 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.

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About Us

The Saengerbund Awards began in 2016. Since that time the support for the contest has grown, and we are able to offer greater prizes to the winners. This year the prizes are as follows:

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

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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.

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Past Winners

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Elena Villalon

2021 - 1st Prize

Third-year studio artist with Houston Grand Opera. Grand Finals winner of the 2019 Metropolitan Opera National Council Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition: 2nd Prize, Audience Prize, CS Prize, and the Wil Keune Prize.

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Erin Wagner

2021 - 2nd Prize

First-place win in the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation’s 2021 International Vocal Competition. Renee Fleming Artist – Aspen Music Festival – 2021

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William Guanbo Su

2021 - 2nd Prize

Metropolitan Opera National Council Grand Finals Winner – 2019 2 nd Prize - Eleanor McCollum Competition at Houston Grand Opera – 2019 1 st Prize - Liederkranz Foundation’s Song/Lieder Competition - 2017

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Isabel Signoret

2020

A Miami native, Isabel Signoret is a graduate of HGO’s Young Artist Vocal Academy. She will enter the Young Artist Program of the Vienna State Opera in 2021.

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Benjamin Dickerson

2020

Benjamin Dickerson has recently been seen in recital on the stages of Carnegie’s Weill Hall and the Caramoor Center for the Performing Arts. He will enter Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts Young Artist Program in 2021.

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Blake Denson

2020

Blake Denson, a native of Paducah, Kentucky, was a 2020 winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He will become a Studio Artist at Houston Grand Opera in 2020.

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Entry Rules

Limited to young adults aged 21-32

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

Deadline: Entry fee of $15 paid by November 15, 2021.

3-Minute video excerpt due by November 15, 2021.

Semi-Finalists will be notified by December 1, 2021.

Semi-Finalists will send a complete recordingof a contrasting selection, due December 15, 2021.

Finalists will be notified by January 2, 2022.

Finalists will compete in the Finals Concert in Houston on February 5, 2022.

Travel expenses will be paid by the Houston Saengerbund.

Finalists may not be under professional management at the time of the Finals Concert.

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Auditions for the 2022 contest have closed!

Thank you for your interest. Please subscribe to the newsletter for an email notification when the auditions for the 2022 contest open!

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We will send out an email when the auditions for the 2022 Competition which will open in Fall 2021.