A national competition is set to take place for those who have not majored in vocal music but have long dreamed of performing. Amateur singers, united by their status as non-majors, will take the stage at a formal venue.
The Lee Gi-yeon Opera Institute announced that the finals of the "1st Korea Amateur Vocal Competition" will be held on October 9 at 3 p.m. at the Whinmulgyeol Art Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Participants must be South Korean citizens aged 18 and older, excluding those who have majored in vocal music. Contestants aged 18 to 59 will compete in the general category, while those aged 60 and above will compete in the senior category.
The competition will consist of three stages: a preliminary video screening, an on-site preliminary round, and the finals. Registration for the first round is open from September 10 to September 17. Participants must submit a video performance of one song chosen from Korean songs, Italian, German, French, or English art songs, Neapolitan songs, or opera arias. The performance of oratorios and opera arias must be in the original language.
Those who pass the first round will participate in the on-site preliminary round held near Sadang Station in Seoul. The general category will compete on October 4 at 2 p.m., while the senior category will compete the following day, October 5, at 1 p.m.
In the second round, contestants must perform a different song than in the first round. Finalists will perform the song they sang in the second round on stage at the Whinmulgyeol Art Center on October 9.
A total prize of 2 million won will be awarded to the overall winner. The general and senior categories will each have prizes of 500,000 won for first place, 300,000 won for second place, and 200,000 won for third place. Special prizes from the judges in each category will be worth 200,000 won.
The entry fee is 100,000 won. Participants are expected to bring their own accompanists, but if needed, they can request an accompanist from the competition for an additional fee of 50,000 won.
Applications can be submitted via Google Forms or email. When applying by email, participants should include their name, contact information, song title, motivation for participating, and attach their performance video. Those who pass the first and second rounds will be notified individually.
The Lee Gi-yeon Opera Institute stated, "We believe that those who have not majored in vocal music but have loved and studied singing for a long time need a stage to showcase their music. We hope this event will not only be a competition but also a space for amateur singers to share their music with one another."
The Lee Gi-yeon Opera Institute has over 175,000 subscribers on YouTube and plans to continue providing performance opportunities for amateur vocalists starting with this competition.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.