ANNOUNCING THE 2025-2026 DONALD W. WOOD SR. VOCAL COMPETITION

The 2025-2026 Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition will feature a blend of virtual and in-person auditions as well as a winners’ performance.

The in-person segment of Finalists is scheduled to take place at the Tulane University Vocal Arts Festival & Symposium (“TUVAFS”) on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 2 PM.

1.    PURPOSE

The Wood Competition aims to promote artistic excellence, financially support young vocalists, and encourage young local singers in vocal music.

2.    PARTICIPANTS

Any Louisiana high school student in their sophomore, junior, or senior year during the 2025-2026 school year.

3.   TIMELINES

Friday, August 1, 2025

OPEN: All Virtual Applications

Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 11:59 PM

DEADLINE: Virtual Applications Close

Friday, September 12, 2025 | Virtual Round

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINALISTS ONLINE from virtual applications at https://www.woodvocalcompetition.com, the Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/WoodCompetition

The 6-8 Finalists from the virtual round will be chosen to showcase their talents in a live performance before a panel of esteemed judges: Casey Robards, Stella Markou, and Joshua Stewart at the TUVAFS. Piano accompanist, Lilliia Oliinyk, will be provided free of charge to the Finalist. https://www.lvopianist.com

Sunday, September 28, 2025 | 2 PM | Tulane’s Dixon Annex Recital Hall

Tulane University Vocal Arts Festival & Symposium

6-8 FINALISTS WILL COMPETE IN THE IN-PERSON ROUND FOR 1st, 2nd, AND 3rd PLACE. (Finalists who do not place will be given a “Finalist” Certificate and will be listed as a Finalist on social media and various websites along with the winners.)

3:00 PM Break and Judge Deliberation in the Dixon Annex Choral Room

3:15 PM Announcement of Wood Competition Winners in the Dixon Annex Recital Hall

3:30 PM Master Class for Festival Singers and Wood Competition Singers, as well as Tulane Students by Stella Markou, Guest Artist Master Teacher

5:00 PM WOOD COMPETITION WINNERS CONCERT

Various winners from the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Wood Competitions will perform at the Dixon Annex Recital Hall. Piano accompanist, Lilliia Oliinyk, will be provided free of charge to the Finalist.

6:00 PM Opening Reception

Immediately following the Wood Competition Winners Concert in the Dixon Annex Atrium