The Rochester International Vocal Competition (RIVC) makes its highly anticipated return this year on May 19th: the celebration, featuring talented musicians from around the world, will take place at the First Unitarian Church on South Winton Rd. in Rochester, and serves as the Oratorio Society’s largest fundraiser in support of its educational music programming throughout the region. 

This celebratory and nationally acclaimed event highlights early-career vocalists. This spring, RIVC, in its 16th year, saw a record-breaking 236 contestants, from 15 countries and 36 U.S. states.  In past years, winners and finalists have gone on to sing at the highest level worldwide, including through appearances at the Metropolitan Opera and companies in Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Pittsburgh, and across Europe.

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 This event is ROS’s largest fundraiser, and sponsors this year include Best Times Financial, T.R.U.E.  Financial Guides, Insero & Co. CPAs, Angelo Planning Group, Wegmans, and Woods Oviatt Gilman. Funds raised from sponsors, donors, and attendees ensure the Rochester Oratorio Society can sustain and extend its artistic service to our region through artistic development programs, high quality performances, music education for Rochester youth, and performance experiences and learning for residents of all ages and every walk of life.

Said 2022 Emerging Artist award winner Emma Grace Wade of the experience, “It was such an honor to be a part of the Rochester International Vocal Competition. The award was the catalyst for a lot of my more recent career engagements… for example with Kearstin Piper Brown and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in a series celebrating Black composers and Black artists.” Wade, a graduate of Mercy High School, currently attends the Eastman School of Music. 

“The Vocal Competition gives voice to our best qualities as a choir, and as a region where choral music and individual artistry are alive, well, supported, and nurtured,” added Rochester Oratorio Society Artistic Director, Eric Townell. “We hope you’ll join us to celebrate vocal talent, and support increased opportunities for music education, on May 19th!”

Tickets to the Rochester International Vocal Competition can be purchased online at www.rossings.org for an evening of music, food, beverage, and emerging vocal talent. Companies and organizations interested in sponsoring the event can contact marketing@rossings.org.

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 About the Rochester Oratorio Society:

The Rochester Oratorio Society (ROS), the leading choral/orchestral ensemble in Rochester and the surrounding seven-county region, comprises 100+ choral members and is noted for the quality of its music and its engagement with the community through art and educational outreach. ROS engages and delights diverse audiences, appears regularly with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and represents Rochester’s excellent quality of life through concerts locally, regionally, and abroad.