Eligibility, Rules, & Requirements

1. Applicant must be: (i) a high school senior; (ii) residing in South Central Wisconsin; (iii) enrolled in and attending a public, private, or charter school within the State of Wisconsin; (iv) on track to graduate in Spring 2026; and (v) planning to start a four-year degree program, concentrating in vocal music, in the Fall of 2026.

2. The 2026 competition will be held exclusively in a virtual format and is limited to a maximum of 10 applicants. All applications must be submitted online. Applicants will receive a confirmation email within one week of submission, confirming his/her application status.  Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis.  Only complete applications will be considered.

3. Applicants must submit YouTube links of (2) video selections and adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Videos should be no more than 10-minutes in length and should include a spoken introduction of the singer's name and selection only (no ages, current schools, or teachers). Spoken introductions do not count towards the 10-minute time limit.  Music cuts are allowed.

  • Repertoire selections must be from the Classical and/or Musical The4atre style(s) and must contain piano accompaniment  Unaccompanied or other accompanied selections are not permitted.

  • Applicants must perform their selections with piano accompaniment but may use either a live pianist or a recorded track to satisfy the requirement.  Orchestral or instrumental accompaniment tracks other than piano are not permitted.

  • No audio or video enhancement is allowed. Recordings should be one full take without video editing. Note: External microphones are allowed. 

  • All selections must be performed by memory. 

  • Applicants may use pieces that have been videotaped previously, as long as the recording was made within the past six months. 

  • Video submissions shall be via YouTube link. You may submit as a public or unlisted link. An unlisted link is not visible to the public without the specific link. Please do not send a private, password protected link as the adjudicators will not be able to access the videos. 

  • Videos will be displayed publicly on The Badger Chordhawks' website.

  • The Badger Chordhawks Chorus is not responsible for late or unsuccessful attempts to upload videos.  Incomplete, corrupted, untimely, or unintelligible videos will not be considered. 

  • Please make sure audio and video quality show you at your best!

4. A panel of music professionals—including the Chordhawks’ Executive Music Director and Associate Director—will adjudicate the competition.  Applicants will be evaluated on both the quality of his/her performance, as well as the strength of his/her application.  Judges will select three winners - First Place, Second Place, and Third Place.  Judges' decisions will be communicated via email in April 2025, and are final.  All applicants will receive written feedback from each of the judges after the competition.

5. All winners will perform in The Patriotic Concert with members of The Badger Chordhawks Chorus in June/July 2026, or forfeit their award.