Schmidt Vocal Artists has announced the first national prize for its Vocal Competition, now in its 25^th year.

Funded by the William E. Schmidt Foundation, this event sees over 400 U.S. high school students compete for prizes in singing, with this season offering more than $625K in cash awards and scholarships.

SVA will hold 16-day regional competitions through their 21-22 season coast to coast, with the top three winners of each being invited to their national competition, which will be hosted by Sarasota Opera June 3-5, 2022. Among the panelists for the national competition will be bass-baritone Eric Owens, SO General Director Richard Russell, and soprano Tamara Wilson.

The company’s first national competition will take place over one weekend, with 51 singers arriving for rehearsals on Friday; the semi-finals and alumni concert will be held on Saturday, at which the 16 finalists will be announced for Sunday’s finals. The first three prizes are for $10K, $7.5K, and $5K, respectively.

“We’re delighted to expand our programming to include the Schmidt Vocal Competition High School Nationals,” SVA Executive Director Linda McAlister said in an official press statement. “It is an honor to reach this next generation of young singers and help them pursue careers in music at the collegiate level and beyond. We so look forward to hearing these voices from across the country perform live on the stage of the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre at Sarasota Opera.”