Half a million in prize money up for grabs
at Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition

Staff report

The stakes are high at the seventh annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition at the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center for the Arts March 4. Sixteen hopeful vocalists who plan to attend UK in the fall either as undergraduate or graduate students will compete for more than half a million dollars in scholarship prizes during the competition.

Free and open to the public, the competition takes place from 2-5 p.m. and includes performances from last year’s Alltech graduate and undergraduate winners, Julie LaDouceur and Andrew Miller, respectively.

Previous winners have won accolades from around the world, including Dr. Ronan Tynan, the famous Irish tenor who said, “I have been to many vocal training facilities all over the world, but the wealth of talent at the University of Kentucky is both astounding and astonishing. I’m so privileged to have the opportunity, which has been given to me by Alltech, to be a mentor to these students.” 

“Every year the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition grows due to the interest from students worldwide, as well as the continued giving from our community sponsors. In many cases the scholarships the students win are the deciding factor in their decision to attend the University of Kentucky. Alltech is pleased to encourage their artistic careers and provide one more incentive to attend UK,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech founder and president.

“Because of this amazing competition, we have been able to recruit some of the most talented students from around the world,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera and professor of voice. “The UK Opera Theatre program has been recognized by the Richard Tucker Foundation as one of the top 20 opera programs in the country. The quality of singing at UK is at an all-time high. We are delighted that Alltech has played such an important part in supporting our efforts at UK.”

New to the program this year are three scholarships for Kentucky elementary, middle and high schools. These scholarships – worth $500 each – will be awarded to the three schools with the most students in attendance at the competition.

For more information, visit here  or contact music@alltech.com.