Performances & Events
Search events
Opening Panel: George Shirley and the Army, Detroit Public Schools and Radio Host
Britton Recital HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
To kick off the annual George Shirley Competition, we’re celebrating George Shirley at 90! Join us for the opening panel discussion about his time on the U.S. Army Chorus, as a music teacher in Detroit Public Schools and radio host for Classical Music and the Afro-American in the 1970s for WQXR.
Welcome Concert: 2024 George Shirley Vocal Competition
Britton Recital HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
The George Shirley Vocal and Composer Competition focuses entirely on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to singers of all ethnicities. The composer’s competition is open to African American composers. The competition offers singers and composers the opportunity to work with and receive feedback from world-renowned judges, including George Shirley. We award over $65,000 in scholarships across 5 divisions.
High School Vocal Master Class with Sylvia Twine
Kevreson Rehearsal HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
Guest artist and SMTD alum Sylvia Twine (MM ’00, vocal performance) presents a Master Class featuring high school competitors singing African American art song, with Parker Konkle, pianist. Free and open to the public; part of the George Shirley Vocal Competition.
College Vocal Master Class with Darryl Taylor
Hankinson Rehearsal HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
Guest artist Darryl Taylor presents a Master Class featuring college competitors singing African American art song, with Kathryn Goodson and Sarah Thune, pianists. Free and open to the public; part of the George Shirley Vocal Competition.
Presentation and Panel Discussion: George Shirley at the Metropolitan Opera with Maurice Wheeler
Britton Recital HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
Join us for a program discussing George Shirley at the Metropolitan Opera, presented with Maurice Wheeler and guests. Free and open to the public; presented as part of the George Shirley Vocal Competition.
Pre-professional Vocal Master Class (part 1) with George Shirley
Britton Recital HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
Tenor George Shirley, SMTD’s Joseph Edgar Maddy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor of Voice, presents a Master Class featuring pre-professional competitors singing African American art song. Peter Smith and John Morefield, pianists. Free and open to the public; part of the George Shirley Vocal Competition.
Pre-professional Vocal Master Class (part 2) with Darryl Taylor
Watkins Lecture HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
Guest artist Darryl Taylor presents a Master Class featuring pre-professional competitors singing African American art song with Parker Konkle, pianist. Free and open to the public; part of the George Shirley Vocal Competition.
Free - no tickets required
The George Shirley Vocal and Composer Competition focuses entirely on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to singers of all ethnicities. The composer’s competition is open to African American composers. The competition offers singers and composers the opportunity to work with and receive feedback from world-renowned judges, including George Shirley.
International Student Division Competition
Britton Recital HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
Winner’s Concert: 2024 George Shirley Vocal Competition
Britton Recital HallEarl V. Moore Building
Free - no tickets required
The George Shirley Vocal and Composer Competition focuses entirely on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to singers of all ethnicities. The composer’s competition is open to African American composers. The competition offers singers and composers the opportunity to work with and receive feedback from world-renowned judges, including George Shirley. We award over $65,000 in scholarships across 5 divisions.