International vocal comp prepares for semi-finalists’ arrival

FORT WAYNE – From more than 150 contestants to a semi-finalist count of 18, the Heartland Sings 2024 Vocal Competition has brought together talent from across the country. Semi-finalists are due to arrive in Fort Wayne for the final steps of the competition in mid-May. They will participate in a three-day competition in front of a distinguished panel of judges. The competitors along with Heartland Sings Vocal Artists and Orchestra will perform in season finale concert, “A Night At The Opera.”

“It is exciting to welcome these top vocal professionals who are pursuing a career in the vocal arts,” said Maestro Robert Nance, president and founding artistic director of Heartland Sings.

Heartland Sings, Inc. is a nonprofit vocal music production company founded in 1997 and based in Fort Wayne. The organization creates a variety of vocal music productions and educational outreach programs to “change lives through song.”  

“We are eager to bring these competitors from all around the country to Fort Wayne,” said Nance. “These carefully selected artists will offer several prepared pieces for the competition before they perform at the concert where we will announce the winners.”

The competition started with a preliminary round of auditions via digital submissions for singers ranging in age from 22 to 35. Submissions included several videos that portrayed the talent and vocal ability of the competitor. The preliminary round concluded at the end of January. A panel of judges spent a few weeks reviewing the submissions and determining who should move to the semi-final round.

After the two days of competition May 20th and May 21st, winners will be announced during Heartland Sings’ production of “A Night At The Opera” slated for May 22nd. Cash prizes await the top three competitors. In addition, one competitor from Indiana will be awarded the “Outstanding Indiana Artist Award.”

“The concert will merge the finalists with our Heartland Sings talent for a unique experience,” Nance said. “The night will feature an orchestra to accompany the singers, prepared pieces from the finalists and opera selections from Heartland Sings. The audience will get a dynamic concert that’s a once in a lifetime event.”

The public is invited to sit in on the competition dates to watch the semi-finalists perform their selected pieces for the judges. No ticket is necessary. The competition will take place at Plymouth Congregational Church on Berry Street in Fort Wayne.

“A Night at the Opera” is a concert event open to the public slated for Wednesday, May 22nd at 7:30 p.m. at the Auer Performance Hall in the Rhinehart Music Center on the Purdue University Fort Wayne campus. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.heartlandsings.com