Maureen Lehane Virtual Vocal Awards FAQ

Use of Live Pianist vs Backing Tracks

We fully understand that under current Government guidelines, it is not possible to rehearse or record with a pianist (unless you are lucky enough to be locked in with one!), so we have provided backing tracks of Peter Wishart’s songs for you to use and welcome the use of backing tracks for your Handel aria.

There will be no penalty for using a backing track over a live pianist, and no reward for performing live with a pianist instead of a backing track.

We will provide an accompanist for the Final on Saturday 9 January. You may not use your own as this will compromise our Covid-secure planning.

What equipment should I use for Video Recording?

Whatever you have available to you – from mobile phone or webcam, through to more advanced set ups. The quality must be good enough for your singing to be seen and heard clearly, but you must not edit the audio file to improve the quality of your performance.

You must tell us in the relevant place on your application what equipment you have used.

Can I compile multiple takes?

You must only submit one video file for the judges, which should contain performances of a song by each of the set composers. It is better to do this in a single take.

Key Dates

Applications are now open and can be made on our website until 5pm on Friday 11 December.

Successful applicants can expect to hear back in mid-December.

The Final is on Saturday 9 January.

Repertoire Requirements

Entrants must present one piece by Peter Wishart and one piece by Handel in the preliminary round. You Peter Wishart song should be from the approved list only (this is a limited list for this year).

For this year, you may perform the same repertoire in the Final plus one piece of your own choice. The time limit for the final is 15 mins.

Time Limits

Video entries for the Preliminary round must be no longer than 15 minutes. Although we do not expect that many videos will need to use the full time, the generous allowance provides space for recititative, should your aria require it, and time for starting/stopping backing tracks.

There is no minimum time limit for the video length, but it must contain one complete song by each of the set composers.