John Kerr Award

Entry Requirements
Participants must be aged between 18 and 35 at the date of the Final (21st October 2012). They may be of any nationality, resident in the UK or elsewhere and of any voice range.

Musical Requirements
First Round
Candidates are expected to supply a recording of 20 minutes of contrasting music based around the repertoire requirements below. This MUST be submitted together with the application form by the closing date stated on the form. The programme submitted must be as contrasted as possible. The recording may be submitted on compact disc, mini disc or cassette. For the recording, we do not insist that keyboard accompaniments should be on period instruments. If a lute is used in the recording, and the candidate reaches the final, it is recommended that the candidate’s own lutenist attends. The recording should be of as high a quality as possible. Candidates will be penalized for poor quality recordings.

Final
A shortlist from the first round will be selected by the Committee and 8 (eight) candidates will be invited to perform at the final on 21st October 2012 at Finchcocks< Museum, Goudhurst, Kent in front of an audience and the judges (Ian Partridge CBE, Julie Kennard and Geoffrey Govier). Finalists will be notified in early September that they have been selected and MUST respond within 14 days confirming that they will perform in the final. This will be regarded as a firm commitment, except in the case of the singer being too ill to perform. The prizewinners will be announced after the last performance. The finalists will be asked to perform a 25-minute contrasting programme based around the repertoire requirements below and using appropriate accompanying instruments (see below). Music from the preliminary recording may be presented in the final but may not make up more than half the programme. Rehearsal time at Finchcocks will be available on days before the competition final (to be confirmed), but not on the day itself. The following aspects are to the fore in the minds of the initial shortlist reviewers (the Committee) as well as the judges in the final competition:
• Historical awareness in vocal matters
• Performance style and manner
• Audience engagement
• Sympathy with and understanding of the words
• Evidence of personal involvement and veracity
• Ability to introduce the songs in a stylish manner

Accompanists
Vocalists are strongly encouraged to provide their own accompanists for the final, but it should be borne in mind that they will have to perform on Finchcocks' collection of historical keyboards, and should therefore be familiar with these types of instrument. A resident keyboard accompanist familiar with the special nature of these instruments will be available. If you require the resident accompanist for the final, you MUST inform the administrator at the point of acceptance.

Instruments
Lute
Part of the programme may contain lute songs and these must be accompanied appropriately. Candidates’ own lutenists will automatically be entered for the accompanist’s prize.

Keyboard
Finchcocks Museum, with its world famous keyboard collection, is the venue for the final, and the following instruments will be available for accompanying:
1. ‘C.A.’ English Bentside Spinet, c.1700 (8’, compass GG/BB – d3) Pitch a=440
2. Kirckman Double-manual Harpsichord, 1756 (2x8’,1x4’, lute, compass FF – f3). Pitch a=415
3. Broadwood Grand Piano, 1801 (compass FF-c4). Pitch a=415
4. Clementi Grand Piano, 1822 (compass CC-c4). Pitch a=430
5. Erard Grand Piano, 1866 (compass AAA-a4). Pitch a=440

Repertoire Requirements
A suggested repertoire of composers is set out below, but these are suggestions only and credit will be given to candidates who research unusual areas of the English Song Repertoire c.1600-c.1900. It is essential that representative songs from all periods within the time-frame are included.
Any song by John Dowland, Henry Purcell and/or Thomas Campion
Any song by William and/or Henry Lawes
Any song by Thomas Arne, Charles Dibdin and/or Thomas Linley
Any song originally written in English for the English market by a foreign composer
e.g. Haydn, Handel or Beethoven
A Victorian song – by e.g. Henry Bishop, Charles Villiers Stanford, Maude Valerie
White, Hubert Parry and/or Arthur Sullivan

Venue
Transport
Finchcocks is situated one mile from the pretty village of Goudhurst in Kent. The location is therefore not within walking distance of any public transport. If you are selected to be a finalist all your travel and accommodation needs MUST be confirmed with the advice and support of the Administrator. Any changes to your arrangements are your own responsibility.

Prizes
First Prize - £1600 plus a £400 Prize Winner's Concert
Second Prize - £1000
Audience Prize - £500
Accompanist Prize - £500

Entry Fees
£30
Full Time Student - £20

Closing Date for Entry
31st July 2012

Application Form Download
Application Form for 21st October 2012 Competition

PDF file available for download. If you wish a copy posted to you, please contact the administrator.