John Alexander National Vocal Competition

Sponsored by the Robert M. Hearin Foundation

seeking to recognize outstanding vocal opera and musical theatre talent from all over the United States.

Competition winners will perform in
Concert on Monday, February 19, 2024
in Jackson, Mississippi

After the preliminary round, Semi-Finalists will be announced by November 2023 and Finalists announced by December, 2023 on Opera Mississippi website and social media pages. Monetary prizes for First Place are $1,200, Second Place are $900. Winners are considered for roles in upcoming Opera Mississippi productions.

Meet Our 2023 Judges

The John Alexander National Vocal Competition, named in honor of John Alexander (1923-1990) was an internationally known operatic tenor from Meridian, Mississippi, identifies, recognizes, and supports outstanding opera and musical theatre singers in the United States. Its mission is to bring world-class talent and rising opera and musical theatre stars to Mississippi audiences. Many of our competition winners go on to cultivate successful careers performing in major national and international opera houses and theatre companies.

Eight finalists are chosen and invited to perform at the Future Stars of the Stage Winners’ Concert on Monday, February 13, 2023 in Jackson, Mississippi. Final prizes and placement will be announced at the concert. Monetary prizes for First Place are $1,200, Second Place are $900. Housing and travel to/from Jackson is covered by Opera Mississippi. Winners are also considered for roles in upcoming Opera Mississippi productions.

First and second place prizes will be awarded in the following divisions and categories:

• Professional Artist Opera 

• Professional Artist Musical Theatre

• Young Artist Opera 

• Young Artist Musical Theatre