Home » 2026 Art Song Competition Rules

2026 Art Song Competition Rules

In association with The Liederkranz Foundation

All details related to this competition are subject to change.

Awards

Top Prize: Up to two vocalists will receive $12,000
Recognition for Finalists: Finalists not selected for top honors will receive $2,000

Winners Concert at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
Top prize winners will be featured in performance in our Annual Winners Concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 29, 2027

Dates

Application Deadline: August 11, 2026, 3:00 PM EST
Preliminary Round: October 13, 14 and 15, 2026
Final Round: October 16, 2026
Winners Concert: Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, April 29, 2027 (top award winners)

General

A collaborative pianist (Arlene Shrut) will be provided at no cost. If you prefer, you can bring your own pianist. Please bring paper copies of your music in a binder for the pianist. No iPads or other electronic formats accepted.
There is no fee to enter the competition.
Early submissions are encouraged; the total number of participants in the competition is limited.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Submission of the application does not guarantee an audition or grant.

Eligibility

Applicants must be between 21 and 32 years of age to be eligible for the competition. (Applicants must have reached their 21st birthday, and must not have reached their 33rd birthday at any time between October 13 and October 16, 2026)
Winners of first, second and third prizes from previous years may not re-apply. Winners of the IVC remain eligible.

Competition Protocol

Eligible participants ONLY will be advised of the date and time for the audition by e-mail. (if you are not notified of an audition date by September 1, 2026, you are not accepted to participate in this year’s competition)
The competition will take place at the Kosciuszko Foundation, 15 East 65th Street New York NY 10065
Performance requirements:
1. Competition participants must be available on your assigned audition dates, both preliminaries and finals are from 10:15 am to 5:00 pm.
2. Top Prize winners MUST perform in the Winners Concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, April 29, 2027, 6:30 p.m. Top prizes will be distributed at the reception following the performance.
3. Top prize winners who will be presented in concert MUST be within 20 miles of Zankel Hall the night before the concert.
4. Failure to comply with the performance requirements of the award is considered a material noncompliance with the terms of the award. Noncompliance may result in the withholding of payments associated with the award, termination of the current award, and/or withholding of any future award. Any failure to perform, or failure to comply with the performance or attendance requirements of the award, may constitute an unsatisfactory performance of the award and preclude participation in any future award competitions.

Repertoire Requirements

Applicants must submit 5 Art Songs written for voice and piano in the original language and in traditional published keys from the 18th to 21st centuries.
At least 2 of the 5 submissions must be standard repertoire by well-known 18th and 19th Century composers.
In celebrating the core canon of the rich art song tradition, kindly choose the majority of your selections from this vast genre. If you choose to include pieces outside this repertoire, please bring your own pianist to the audition.
Only one song from any song cycle may be submitted and will count as a single selection.
No more than two pieces by the same composer may be listed.
A variety of moods and tempi is encouraged.
A variety of languages is required.
No ensemble selections are permitted.
Selected participants are required to provide scans (PDF format) of the submitted repertoire.
Once submitted, repertoire and keys cannot be changed.

Required Materials

All applicants must submit the following materials via our online application to be considered for the competition.

Application signed and dated.
Resume (current and SINGLE-PAGE)
Recent Color Headshot (JPEG; 1-3 MB file size, NO HEIC FILE)
A copy of passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate (JPEG, NO HEIC FILE)

Please note: You should receive an email notification that your application has been successfully submitted. If you do not receive that email, please contact us As Soon As Possible in order to resolve this potential problem. The Gerda Lissner Foundation is not responsible for applications which are not successfully submitted online.

International Students/Non-Resident Aliens

There are some additional requirements if you are an international student or a non-resident alien. Please follow the links below for more information.

Contact

The Gerda Lissner Foundation

212.826.6100 (v)

mail@gerdalissner.org

Apply

We will post a link here to the application shortly.

Accolades

I am truly honored to have received this prestigious award. My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved, and I eagerly look forward to performing at Carnegie Hall!

Finn Sagal, Baritone

Receiving the Judges’ Special Prize in the Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Competition is a great honor for me, especially amongst such a talented group of singers this year. To me, art song is one of the most intimate and sublime forms, and as such recital singing has always been one of my true passions. I am so grateful to The Gerda Lissner Foundation for this recognition and their continued support of all young artists.”

Samuel Kidd, Baritone

Receiving this recognition from The Gerda Lissner Foundation is an immense honor. The generous financial support makes an extraordinary difference—it allows young singers like me to continue our training. The performance opportunities that come from this recognition are immensely exciting and inspiring. Having the support of The Gerda Lissner Foundation makes the journey I am on not only possible but profoundly rewarding. I am sincerely grateful for this award and for the reminder that my voice and the story I tell matters.

Jennifer Robinson, soprano

The Special Judge’s Prize in this year’s Art Song Competition was so meaningful to me! I did not necessarily consider myself a ‘song specialist’ when I entered, but I have learned so much about musicality and expression through singing this repertoire. This award inspires me to seek out additional recital opportunities and reminds me of the intimate connection song can facilitate, which can be more personal and accessible than grand opera.

Anna Thompson, soprano

Winning Second Prize in The Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Competition is an incredible privilege. This distinguished competition is one of the few that celebrate and preserves the rich tradition of art song, providing a vital platform for artists devoted to this expressive and intimate repertoire. To be recognized by such an esteemed jury is an honor and I am profoundly grateful to the Foundation, its generous supporters, and the dedicated team who make this competition possible.

Magdalena Kuźma, soprano

I am profoundly grateful to The Gerda Lissner Foundation for the honor of having me and for the incredible award. It will be cherished deeply as a very special memento. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! This award symbolizes not only a recognition of my efforts but also serves as a testament to the unwavering support and encouragement I have received from organizations like The Gerda Lissner Foundation, family, and friends. Their instrumental role in nurturing my artistic growth has been a driving force, and this achievement is as much theirs as it is mine.

Sasha Cooke, Mezzo-soprano

The Gerda Lissner Foundation IVC was one of the very first vocal competitions I ever auditioned for many moons ago. Stepping onto the stage of Zankel Hall was an unforgettable full circle moment for me as I went on to perform as the recipient of the second prize. I’m immensely grateful for the recognition and the foundation’s continued support through the opportunities they provide for young artists.

Tatev Baroyan soprano

Last night’s opera concert was nothing short of magical – a truly unforgettable experience. From the breathtaking performances to the grandeur of the venue, every moment was a masterpiece. Events like these remind us of the beauty that music and connection can bring into our lives.

Jewish Association Serving the Aging

Not only a great concert but also a “gathering of the Tribe”.

VOCE DI MECHE

I had an unforgettable experience singing for the Gerda Lissner Foundation at Carnegie Hall for their Winners Concert on April 30th. I am so grateful and honored and proud to have been a part of this experience.

Ashlyn Rock, soprano

Song is a precious and important art form, and The Gerda Lissner Foundation is doing vital work in supporting the next generation of art song performers. I consider it a true honor to be recognized among this year’s group of Lieder/Song Competition prize-winners. Singing at the Winners’ Concert was a highlight of my season — it was a joy to share some of my favorite repertoire in beautiful Zankel Hall alongside a wonderful collaborator, Francesco Barfoed.

Bridget Esler, soprano

Winning the Grand Prize at the Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition was a tremendous honor. Receiving support and recognition from such a distinguished jury is deeply encouraging as I continue to pursue this career. Performing at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall for the first time was truly a dream. The acoustics were stunning, and the full house brought such generous energy to every performer.

Magdalena Kuźma, soprano

I am deeply honored to receive this generous award from The Gerda Lissner Foundation. I am truly grateful for the recognition and support. It was a tremendous privilege to make my Carnegie Hall debut as part of the Winners Recital—an unforgettable experience. My sincere thanks to the Foundation for this remarkable opportunity and for their continued commitment to supporting young artists.

Giorgi Guliashvili, tenor

It was a sensational recital of gifted young singers…..it was a celebration of the enduring legacy of Gerda Lissner; …. No one need worry about the future of opera.

VOCE DI MECHE

…A lovely way to wrap up a Sunday afternoon! …if what we experienced was any indication, the forecast for opera’s future looks bright indeed.

Forbes on Film & Footlights, Harry Forbes

I am so immensely grateful and honored to have been awarded First Prize in this year’s Gerda Lissner Foundation Lieder Competition. Song has always been a source of joy and inspiration for me, and I feel so grateful to the Foundation for their support of this deeply important art form and for their belief in my artistry.

Erin Wagner, mezzo-soprano