NextGen National

2022-2023 Audition Requirements

• Submit a 32-bar cut of an American popular song (Broadway, Standard, Pop, Jazz, Gospel, etc) written before 1970.
• The piece must not be found in the Singer's Musical Theater Anthology for your voice type. Use an accompaniment or karaoke track from YouTube or another source.
• You must submit a video of yourself singing.
• The competition is open to students aged 24 and under. You do not have to be a music major to enter.

Submissions that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.

Deadline to submit: Monday, October 24, 2022
Semifinalists will be notified first week of November!

Prizes

• $2,000 for 1st place female winner
• $2,000 for 1st place male winner
• $1,000 for 2nd place female winner
• $1,000 for 2nd place male winner

All winners will also receive multiple paid performance opportunities with The American Pops Orchestra. If you have any questions, please contact marianne@theamericanpops.org.
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The American Pops Orchestra is committed to preserving classic American music. We present concerts that showcase music from all sectors of the American experience – featuring our nation’s most talented and celebrated artists. Our NextGen National: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow competition allows us to showcase the next generation of great performers. The competition strives to expose college-aged students to songs with which they are unfamiliar. To enter, contestants must sing pre-1970 American popular songs not found in the Singer’s Musical Theater Anthology for their voice type.

Founded in 2018, our NextGen competition began with students from five universities and has now expanded to include students from across the United States and Canada. During the COVID-19 pandemic NextGen transitioned to a virtual setting, allowing us to reach an even wider audience and larger pool of aspiring young artists.

NextGen strives to provide opportunities to each and every student who wishes to participate; there is absolutely no cost to compete. In addition, APO provides free masterclasses about performing, recording, and working in the music industry, among other topics. Competitors also receive accompaniment tracks and custom arrangements free of charge.  Selected finalists are invited to perform live with members of The American Pops Orchestra in the final round, with all expenses covered by APO. First place female and male vocalist winners receive a $2,000 scholarship and second place winners each receive a $1000 scholarship. All winners also receive multiple paid performance opportunities with the orchestra.

APO is proud to award the Chip Hand Prize for Vocal Excellence to the first place male vocalist. Made possible by the generous support of Ambassador Lloyd and Ann Hand, the prize memorializes their beloved son who was an acclaimed musician and recording artist. The annual presentation of the award allows Chip’s legacy to live on through young, aspiring performers.