While social distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the Music & Opera Singers Trust (MOST) had to cancel the 2020 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition, the organisation has now announced a new competition which will see singers compete online from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Nicole Car as Mimì in the Metropolitan Opera’s La Bohème. Photo © Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera

The competition “will be held entirely online and supports stay-at-home measures in force around the world by requiring all entries to be recorded in a home environment by a solo singer,” MOST said in its announcement.

The competition – which includes Classical and Opera, Jazz, Contemporary and Music Theatre categories – is open to singers over the age of 18, who will compete for a cash prize of $1000AUD in each category. There is no entry fee, the competitors will simply record their solo performances at home and upload their videos to YouTube. To adhere to social distancing measures, no accompanist may appear in the same room as the competitor – however, singers may perform with a backing track, accompany themselves, or perform with an accompanist via video...