Guidelines for Guthrie Darr Young Artist Scholarship Competition
The Columbia Choral Society Guthrie Darr Young Artist Scholarship exists to encourage and support local young artists who are interested in studying voice independently with a private music teacher.
In 2023: Application Packet DUE Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
CCS-Scholarship-Application-PACKAGE-Jan-2023 in PDF format
(If you would like this in a DOCx format to complete the application, email management [dot] choralsociety [at] gmail [dot] com for a copy.)
Award: The scholarship will be awarded through a juried competition usually held in the Spring. The winner may also be offered the opportunity of performing as a guest artist at a Columbia Choral Society Concert. The judges will award a scholarship of $500. The scholarship will be paid directly to a private local vocal instructor to assist the winner with the vocal instruction, to be completed by December 31.
Eligibility Requirements: The Columbia Choral Society Guthrie Darr Young Artist Scholarship is available to students who reside in Richland or Lexington Counties and are currently enrolled in high school in grades 10-12 or in an equivalent home-schooled program. Previous study with a voice instructor is not required but any scholarship awarded must be used for this purpose.
Repertoire Requirements: Students need to prepare two (2) contrasting musical selections to be performed,
one (1) of which must be in a language other than English. Students may bring their own accompanist or one will be provided. The student should provide original copies of each selection for the accompanist.
Date, Time, Place: Monday, April 17, 2023, 6:30pm to 7:15pm,
at Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Warm-up times will be assigned between 5:15 and 6:15.
Applications: Applications may be submitted by mail or email.
The application package should contain
1) a completed application;
2) one letter of recommendation;
3) a brief description by the applicant of their goals and aspirations;
4) if available, student’s voice instructor’s name, address, email and phone number as well as “check payable to” information; and
5) a $10.00 audition fee (non-refundable). The recommendation should be from a person who is acquainted with the applicant’s singing abilities such as a minister of music, choral director, private music instructor or theatrical instructor. The letter of recommendation must include contact information for the person submitting the letter (i.e. e-mail address, phone number, etc.).
Mail the $10 check to Columbia Choral Society, PO Box 5563, Columbia, SC 29250-5563.
Ask about using PayPal/Credit Card for payment.
Questions can be directed to management [dot] choralsociety [at] gmail [dot] com or call 803-567-1811.
Choral Directors and Voice Instructors, thank you for supporting our youth as they strive to excel in the vocal arts!