Tessitura Music’s 1st Annual Vocal Music Festival
April 26-27, 2025

We’re so excited to host our first annual Vocal Music Festival in Edwardsville, Illinois! It will be held on April 26-27 right here at our Tessitura Music Studios and at Abbott Auditorium on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Competition age categories range from kindergarten to high school seniors. We’re thrilled to offer Masterclass with our local voice instructors, a Yoga Class for singers as well as a free Recital on Sunday at the end of the competition. Additionally, we are offering Cash Prizes to top Performers in each category. Be sure to read through our Vocal Competition Procedures and Rules below for all of the details.

Coaches, Teachers and Instructors: Do you have someone you’d like to nominate to participate in our masterclass? Contact amy.prince@tessituramusic.com to make your nomination!

Competition Schedule

Saturday, April 26th

Voice Competition: Tessitura Music Studios
871 S. Arbor Vitae, Suite 4, Edwardsville, IL
(View Map)

10:00 am-11:00 am - Kindergarten-2nd Grade

11:00 am -12:00 pm - 3rd -5th Grade

12:00 pm -1:00 pm - 6th-8th Grade

1:00 pm -2:00 pm - Freshman & Sophomore: Classical

2:00 pm -3:00 pm - Freshman & Sophomore: Musical Theater

3:00 pm -4:00 pm - Junior & Senior: Classical

4:00 pm -5:00 pm - Junior & Senior: Musical Theater

Sunday, April 27th

10:00 am - Yoga for Singers - Tessitura Studios

12:00 pm -2:00 pm Masterclass with Local Voice Instructors:
Abbott Auditorium, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Watch local Voice Instructors work with pre-selected participants on their vocal repertoire. Instructors will address both Vocal Technique and Performance Practice. This is a free event.

2:00 pm -4:00 pm Final Round Highschool Divisions:
Abbott Auditorium

Results posted by 5:00 pm.
Open event to to the public

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Music Festival Recital:
Abbott Auditorium, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

This event is open to the public. Competition participants and families are invited to enjoy a voice recital performed by local voice students. Competition partcipants may be invited to participate based on availability.

Vocal Competition Rules & Procedures

Registration & Payment

  • A limited number of participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • The registration fee is $30 per entry and will hold your space in the competition.

  • Competition fee is due at the time of registration. Your space will not be reserved until payment is received.

Repertoire

  • Applicants must prepare one song from memory to be performed live at their scheduled time.

  • Musical Theater Repertoire must be performed in the original key and be from a Musical Theater Production. Cuts from repertoire will not be accepted. Repertoire from movie or television musicals will not be accepted. If you have questions regarding repertoire choices, please email Amy Prince.

  • Changes to performance repertoire will not be accepted after Saturday April 19th, one week prior to the Competition.

Performance

  • Participants must arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled performance time.

  • Applicants are responsible for retaining, compensating and rehearsing with a pianist prior to the performance day. View our suggested pianists.

  • Applicants are responsible for providing their pianist with appropriate sheet music to play from.

  • Tessitura Music will not have access to scanners or printers on the day of the competition.

  • An original vocal score of the performance material must be presented at the time of registration. The pianist is not required to perform from the original score.

  • High school Classical and Musical Theater Categories will hold one Finalist Round, per category, on Sunday April 27th at Abbott Auditorium between 2:00-4:00. If applicable, please ensure your accompanist is available for this final round.

  • Final Round Performers will sing their same repertoire from the first round.

Performance

  • K - 5 Category Winner will receive $50/ Second and third place winners in this category will receive $25.

  • 6-8 Category Winner will receive $50/ Second and third place winners in this category will receive $25.

  • High school Category Final Round Winners will receive $100 each. Second Place winners will receive $50 each and Third Place winners will receive $25 each.