Welcome to the Melbourne Male Welsh Choir official information page for Singer of the Year 2025 – now it its 32nd year!
History
The inaugural Singer of the Year Competition was held in 1993 and since then it has become one of Australia’s leading performance competitions. It is one of a few competitions which emphasises concert performance as a key criteria. Previous winners have gone on to grace the national and international opera and concert stages.
Our Patron and Singer of the Year Convenor, David Ashton Smith OAM again warmly invites competitors to come forward and for audiences with a love of vocal and choral arts to join us for this our 33rd annual event.
For our competitors
The Singer of the Year 2025 competition is produced by the Melbourne Welsh Male Choir and its purpose is to allow singers to have their abilities evaluated in a concert environment by professional adjudicators.
The competition is based on performing three pieces:
- An Aria from Opera or Oratorio
- An Art Song or Lied
- A substantial item from Musical Theatre or the Great American Songbook
The total prize pool this year is $10,000 Prize monies and trophies are awarded in the following categories:
Winner – Singer of the Year – ” The Robert Salzer Foundation Award” Trophy and $7,000
Finalist – “The Herb Jenkins Memorial Award” Trophy and $1,500
Finalist – “The Alan Stevenson Award” Trophy and $1,500
(See Terms, Conditions and eligibility particularly that contestants must be 35 years of age or younger in the current year, an Australian Citizen or have the relevant student Visa.)
The Qualifying Heats
Applications for the Qualifying Heats must be received no later than Sunday, August 31, 2025 via the official registration form via the link given below. Full Terms and Conditions are to be acknowledged :
The Qualifying Heats are held 1 to 6pm Saturday 6th September, 2025 (Subject to final confirmation with the Organisers) at Maroondah Federation Estate in Ringwood.
The Qualifying Heats are a Free public event and a great opportunity to hear and see and add to the atmosphere as the entrants perform before the adjudicators. Reserve your Free ticket by booking on line.
The Finals – Singer of the Year Concert
You’ll hear a fulling entertaining program as the three Singer of the Year Finalists who’ll perform their three pieces punctuated by the best of the Melbourne Male Welsh Choir.
Date: Saturday 20th September, 2025
Time: 2pm to 4.15 pm
Venue: Carey Baptist Grammar School’s De Young Centre for Performing Arts
349 Barkers Road Kew VIC 3101
Tickets on sale now at: https://www.trybooking.com/DBWIZ
The De Young Centre for Performing Arts
a beautiful purpose-built auditorium seating 300 – plenty of on-site parking
