Scholarship Award Details

The American Opera Society of Chicago has given annual awards to support classical music since its founding in 1924.

2025 Scholarship Awards Offered

The American Opera Society of Chicago Ginger and Jim Meyer Centennial Award of $15,000, in voice

The American Opera Society of Chicago Centennial Award of $15,000, open to instrumentalists

The Lola Fletcher Award of $10,000, in voice

The American Opera Society of Chicago Award in honor of Mary Jane Peterson, of $5,000, open to all performance areas

The American Opera Society of Chicago Award in honor of Joyce Van Cura, of $5,000, open to all performance areas

The American Opera Society of Chicago Award of $5,000, open to all performance areas

General Rules and Regulations

Applicants must be citizens of the United States of America, living within 150 miles of Chicago and studying with a teacher within 150 miles of Chicago.

Applicants must be advanced students of voice, piano, strings, or other solo instruments, with potential for professional careers.

Applicants must be 20 to 32 years of age for voice; 16 to 32 years of age for piano, strings, and other solo instruments; as of March 3, 2025.

No previous award winner of the American Opera Society of Chicago is eligible to audition.

A teacher may submit no more than two applicants annually.

An applicant’s audition will consist of 10 (ten) minutes of diversified repertoire to be performed from memory. The repertoire will indicate technique, style, command of language (for voice auditions), interpretation, and stage presence. Please see our Audition Program Requirements website page and the application for more specific requirements.

All entrants must provide their own accompanist.

Applications are due to the scholarship chairperson on or before, Monday, February 10, 2025, with the application form, participant’s program, and resumé.

Scholarship auditions will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025.

Participants will be notified about the outcome of their auditions by email.

All decisions concerning the scholarships are made by the American Opera Society of Chicago.

Award winners will be presented in concert in Chicago either on May 21, 2025, or October 15, 2025. Scheduling for these concerts will be at the discretion of AOSC. The winners will receive their awards at that time. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the American Opera Society has the right to withhold the award or to decide on another winner.

All recipients are requested to list the American Opera Society of Chicago awards in publicity releases.

For questions, email scholarships@americanoperasocietyofchicago.org