FAQ
Questions about entering the competition
- Questions or problems in connection with your online application?
- Are there any advantages to entering the competition online?
- Which documents do I have to submit together with my online application?
- How and when will I find out whether or not my application has been accepted?
Questions about the preliminary audition round
- Are all entrants admitted to the preliminary rounds?
- Do I have to take part in a preliminary round in order to enter the final round?
- Can I change the venue of the preliminary round?
- Can I change the date and/or time I have been allocated in the preliminary round?
- Will my traveling expenses and board and lodging costs for the preliminary round be refunded?
- When and how will I find out whether I have qualified for the final round?
- Must I/Can I bring an accompanist with me to the preliminary round?
- What else should I know about the preliminary round?
- What is the dress code for the preliminary round?
- How many arias must I sing in the preliminary round?
- Are the preliminary rounds open to the public?
- Can I bring a friend or family member with me to the preliminary round?
- When must I arrive at the preliminary round?
Questions about repertoire
- Can the repertoire be changed once an entry has been submitted?
- Is the repertoire submitted valid for all rounds of the competition?
- How many arias will I have to perform in each round?
- Can I select arias that are not on the approved repertoire?
Questions on the final round
- When and how will I find out whether I have qualified for the final round?
- Do I have to organize my own travel, board and lodging for the final round?
- How will the traveling expenses for the final round be refunded?
- Must I/Can I bring an accompanist with me to the final round?
- What else should I know about the final round?
- Can I bring a friend or family member with me to the final round?
- Is the final round open to the public?
- If I do not qualify for the final round, can I still follow the competition right up to the finals as a member of the audience?
- What is the dress code for the final round in Gütersloh?
- How many arias do I have to perform in the final round and can I choose the order in which I sing them?
Questions or problems in connection with your online entry form?
Questions about entering the competition
Questions or problems in connection with your online application?
Then please contact the competition office: Tel.: 0049-(0)5241-81-81171, Fax: 0049-(0)5241-81-681171, Mailto: info@neue-stimmen.de
Are there any advantages to entering the competition online?
Yes, because the password you receive entitles you to access the members section tailored to your needs and containing both your application and news about the competition.
Which documents do I have to submit together with my online application?
To enter NEUE STIMMEN 2009, all you have to do is complete the online application and send it to us together with an official proof of your date of birth. Please do not submit tapes or any other material of this sort.
How and when will I find out whether or not my application has been accepted?
You will receive an e-mail, letter or fax informing you whether or not you have been admitted to the preliminary round auditions approx. by April 15, 2009.
Questions about the preliminary round auditions
Are all applicants admitted to the preliminary round auditions?
The organizers reserve the right to exclude certain applications. Incomplete application forms or incorrect information can result in exclusion from the competition.
Do I have to take part in a preliminary round audition in order to enter the final round?
Yes, only those who qualify in a preliminary round audition are allowed to take part in the final round in Gütersloh.
Can I change the city of my preliminary round audition?
You can change the city of your preliminary round audition in the members section until 30 days before your audition date. After that, the city selected is binding.
Can I change the date and/or time I have been allocated in my preliminary round audition?
No, organizational considerations unfortunately preclude any such changes of date or time.
Will my traveling expenses and board and lodging costs for the preliminary round audition be refunded?
No, the Bertelsmann Stiftung refunds traveling expenses and board and lodging costs only for contestants in the final round, and then only up to a preset limit. You can find out more about this in the section headed "Final Round."
When and how will I find out whether I have qualified for the final round?
About 3 to 4 days after auditioning each contestant can check his qualification status in the members section. Singers without internet access can ask for their qualification status at the NEUE STIMMEN office. In addition, each contestant will be notified by email, post or fax about qualifying or not qualifying for the final round.
Must I/Can I bring an accompanist with me to my preliminary round audition?
During auditions and the final round the organizers will arrange for official piano accompanists and rooms for rehearsals. Both are free of charge. Contestants may bring their own accompanists to preliminary round auditions. But only in agreement with the organizer and at their own cost.
What else should I know about the preliminary round auditions?
Singers must bring the piano scores for the repertoire submitted with them.
What is the dress code for the preliminary round auditions?
Singers should dress appropriately, although they are not expected to wear evening wear.
How many arias must I sing during my preliminary round audition ?
During preliminary round auditions, each contestant performs 1 or 2 arias from the submitted repertoire. The first aria may be chosen by the singer, the second one (if requested) will be chosen by the jury.
Are the preliminary round auditions open to the public?
No. Only the jury, the pianist and the contestant are allowed to be in the room where auditions take place.
Can I bring a friend or family member with me to the preliminary round audition?
Friends and family members are welcome, but will not be allowed to enter the room where auditions take place.
When must I arrive at my preliminary round audition?
Punctuality is essential. You should arrive to auditions at least one hour before you are due to perform. Only then will you have sufficient time to register and to rehease.
Questions about repertoire
Can the repertoire be changed once an entry has been submitted?
Online applicants can change the selected repertoire in the members section until 30 days before their auditions date. Applicants using a written application form cannot change the repertoire submitted with the entry.
Is the repertoire submitted valid for all rounds of the competition?
Yes. No new repertoire is required for the final round.
How many arias will I have to perform in each round?
During preliminary round auditions, each contestant performs 1 or 2 arias from the submitted repertoire. The first aria may be chosen by the singer, the second one (if requested) will be chosen by the jury. When auditioning during the final round, up to 3 arias from the submitted repertoire may be performed. The first piece will be chosen by the singer, the other arias by the jury. During the semi-final, 1 aria from the submitted repertoire will be performed (chosen by the jury). During the final, 2 arias from the submitted repertoire will be performed (chosen by the jury).
Can I select arias that are not on the approved repertoire?
No. All 5 arias must be taken from the NEUE STIMMEN compulary repertoire.
Questions on the final round
When and how will I find out whether I have qualified for the final round?
About 3 to 4 days after auditioning each contestant can check his qualification status in the members section. Singers without internet access can ask for their qualification status at the NEUE STIMMEN office. In addition, each contestant will be notified by email, post or fax about qualifying or not qualifying for the final round.
Do I have to organize my own travel, board and lodging for the final round?
No. The Bertelsmann Stiftung will organize and bear your traveling expenses (only up to a present limit) and board and lodging costs for the final round in October 2009. The Bertelsmann Stiftung will bear only the costs of the hotel rooms it reserves and will not bear any incidental hotel costs (telephone, fax, laundry service, mini-bar etc.)!
How will the traveling expenses for the final round be refunded?
The Bertelsmann Stiftung will refund the traveling expenses incurred for the final round in Gütersloh as follows:
- up to EUR 1,000 for contestants from Asia, Australia, South Africa and South America
- up to EUR 500 for contestants from North America and Eastern Europe
- up to EUR 250 for contestants from Western Europe.
The Bertelsmann Stiftung will refund traveling expenses only upon submission of original receipts. Photocopies will not be accepted! Contestants must always opt for the shortest distance between the competition venue and their place of residence.
Must I/Can I bring an accompanist with me to the final round?
The organizers will provide free of charge official accompanists and rooms to rehearse during the final round. Contestants may not bring their own accompanist to Guetersloh!
What else should I know about the final round?
Singers must bring the piano scores for the repertoire submitted with them to the final round.
Can I bring a friend or family member with me to the final round?
Yes. But they must pay their own traveling expenses and board and lodging costs. Please let us know if you intend to bring a friend or family member with you.
Is the final round open to the public?
No, the final round is not open to the public and only agents, music directors and representatives of the music business are admitted to the room where auditions take place. The semifinals and finals, however, take place in front of a large audience. Please let us know if you intend to bring a friend or family member with you.
If I do not qualify for the final round, can I still follow the competition right up to the finals as a member of the audience?
Yes, the Bertelsmann Stiftung will bear the costs for board and meals for all final round participants until the competition is over.
What is the dress code for the final round in Gütersloh?
Evening wear is recommended for all those competing in the final round, while concert wear is obligatory for both the semifinals and finals.
How many arias do I have to perform in the final round and can I choose the order in which I sing them?
When auditioning during the final round, up to 3 arias from the submitted repertoire may be performed. The first piece will be chosen by the singer, the other arias by the jury. During the semi-final, 1 aria from the submitted repertoire will be performed (chosen by the jury). During the final, 2 arias from the submitted repertoire will be performed (chosen by the jury).
