SC: So you think you can sing? Here’s how you can land a major gig in NYC

Get ready to warm up those pipes, Columbia! The Metropolitan Opera Company of New York is hosting auditions for young, aspiring opera singers on Saturday, Jan. 27. Three professional judges provided by the Metropolitan Opera will put some of the country’s best up-and-coming operatic voices to the test for a chance to work in New York City and compete for $15,000 in cash.

In past years, close to 1,500 singers between ages 20 and 30 have sounded off against one another until three outstanding hopefuls were chosen to compete in the Southeastern regional auditions in Atlanta. This year, each local winner will receive $1,200, and one winner in Atlanta will receive $7,000 and intensive training at the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York before the semi-final concert and the Grand National Finals.

The finals are held in the Metropolitan Opera House in New York in March with the full Metropolitan Opera orchestra accompanying the singers. Representatives of opera houses from throughout the world will be in attendance. The winner of the Grand National competition will receive $15,000 and the chance of a lifetime: a career as an opera singer.

Renee Flemming, Deborah Voight and South Carolina’s own countertenor David Daniels are three previous winners who have gone on to achieve worldwide success.

The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions celebrates its 65th annual audition program, the largest and longest-running singing competition in America. This event is free and open to the public.

This story was originally published January 5, 2018 at 4:14 PM with the headline "SC: So you think you can sing? Here’s how you can land a major gig in NYC."