The American Opera Society of Chicago has given annual scholarships to support classical music since its founding in 1924. This year, scholarship auditions will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 120 East Bellevue Place, Chicago, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Scholarship Award Details
We are pleased to offer six Scholarship Awards:
The AOSC Best Vocal Artist Award of $10,000 in voice
The AOSC Award of $7,000, open to all performance areas
The AOSC Award of $5,000, given by Carl and Rhonda Buss, open to all performance areas
The AOSC Eileen Deneen Award of $5,000, in voice
The AOSC Arthur J. And Glenna B. Collins Award of $5,000, open to all performance areas
The AOSC Eleanor Pearce Sherwin Award of $5,000, open to all performance areas
2026 Scholarship Awards Offered
All applicants should adhere to the following rules and regulations:
Applicants must be citizens of the United States of America, living within 150 miles of Chicago and studying with a teacher within 150 miles of Chicago, and be advanced students of voice, piano, strings, or other solo instruments, with potential for professional careers.
Applicants should be in a degree, certificate, diploma, or performance program.
Applicants must be 20 to 32 years of age for voice; 16 to 32 years of age for piano, strings, and other solo instruments; as of March 2, 2026.
No previous award winner of the American Opera Society of Chicago is eligible to audition.
Teachers may submit no more than two applicants annually.
Auditions should consist of 10 (ten) minutes of diversified repertoire to be performed from memory to indicate technique, style, command of language (for voice auditions), interpretation, and stage presence. Please see our Audition Program Requirements website page and the application for more specific requirements.
All entrants must provide their own accompanist.
Applications are due on or before, Thursday, February 19, 2026, with the participant’s program and resumé. Applications may be sent my email.
Award winners will be presented in concert on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 or Wednesday, October 14, 2026 in Chicago. Scheduling for these concerts will be at the discretion of the American Opera Society of Chicago. The winners will receive their awards at that time. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the American Opera Society has the right to withhold the award or to decide on another winner.
All recipients are requested to list the American Opera Society of Chicago awards in publicity releases.
For questions, email scholarships@americanoperasocietyofchicago.org
Please note that all decisions concerning the scholarships are made by the American Opera Society of Chicago. All participants will be notified about the outcome of their auditions by email.