The Young Artists Awards were established to enhance professional training for career-oriented singers. Recipients receive an annual stipend and are provided with experiences to strengthen their development as soloists and professional choral singers.
 
The Young Artists gain experience as under-studies in the major works and perform as soloists as appropriate. They attend dress rehearsals with visiting guest artists and the orchestra to observe and interact with professional soloists. The Young Artists are featured at the Patron Preview Party each summer, the MagnifEvent fundraiser dinner/auction each fall, and other events as required. Performance experiences range from the intimacy of fundraising events to the formality of the concert stage.
 
The Young Artists are also responsible for providing musical leadership in the Bach Society Chorus through exceptional preparation of their parts.
 
Eligibility: A Young Artist recipient will
·            Have completed a minimum of three years of undergraduate study in music
·            Be pursuing a professional vocal careerDownload Principal Singer & Young Artist Form in PDF
·            Be currently in private vocal study
·            Be under the age of thirty
 
Award: Recipients will be awarded a $2,000 cash award, payable over nine months.
 
Auditions: An audition of fifteen to twenty minutes will include sight reading, tonal memory, scales, and three vocal selections:
  • an operatic aria in a foreign language
  • a concert aria (oratorio, mass, requiem, cantata) in any language
  • an operetta/Broadway song in English suitable for informal entertainment 
with all selections demonstrating the applicant's range, timbre, flexibility, diction, expressiveness and stage presence. An accompanist will be available. 
 
Evaluation: Applicants will be judged on vocal quality, musicianship and sight-reading. A letter of reference (usually from a voice teacher or choral director) will be required that includes a professional evaluation of the applicant's musicianship, leadership abilities, dependability and vocal potential.
 
Application: To apply, call the Bach Society of Saint Louis office, (314) 652-BACH. The audition information sheet can be downloaded from this website and completed prior to the audition.
 
Past Young Artist recipients include:
2011-12    Stephanie Ann Ball, Erin Haupt, Joshua Stanton, Tom W. Sitzler
2010-11    Stephanie Ann Ball, Debra Hillabrand, Joshua Stanton, Tom W. Sitzler
2009-10    Gina Malone, Debra Hillabrand, Joshua Stanton
2008-09    Melissa Payton, Debra Hillabrand
2007-08    Melissa Payton, Debra Hillabrand, Steve Slusher
2006-07    Melissa (Gowen) Payton, Margaret Gitu, Steve Slusher, Scott Levin
2005-06    Melissa Gowen, Alison Neace, Joseph Michels, Scott Levin
2004-05    Melissa Gowen, Alison Neace, Joseph Michels, Scott Levin
2003-04    Alexin Hotz, Laura Case, David Koch, Scott Levin
2002-03    Margaret Hamby, Laura Case, Jeffrey Freuler, Jay Harkey
2001-02    Margaret Hamby, Rachel Edie, Jeffrey Freuler, Jay Harkey
2000-01    Sharen Camille, Alison Neace, Chester Pidduck, Shawn Neace
1999-00    Jennifer Frazer, Alison Neace, Chester Pidduck, Shawn Neace
1998-99    Mary Wilson, Alison (Harner) Neace, Todd Wilson, Shawn Neace
1997-98    Mary Wilson, Alison Harner, Willie Eddie Hitchcock III, Shawn Neace
1996-97    Kristen Frost, Sarah Joy Lawrence, Willie Eddie Hitchcock III, Lance Lancaster
1995-96    Valerie C. Schaefer, Sarah Joy Lawrence, Joseph M. Consiglio,
               Lance Lancaster
1994-95    Krystiane Cheetham, Leslie K. Remmert, Antoine C. Wallace,
               Matthew C. Cooper
1993-94    Rosalie H. Toubes, Leslie K. Remmert, Antoine C. Wallace,
               Michael J. Boschert
1992-93    Rosalie H. Toubes, Kim Loeffler, Antoine C. Wallace, Michael J. Boschert
1991-92    Karen Henrickson, Deborah Good Stinson, Antoine C. Wallace,
               George Bareford
1990-91    Mary I. Brown, Valerie Graham, Antoine C. Wallace, David Peterson
1989-90    Mary I. Brown
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