Texas Vocal Arts Festival 2026
A vocal arts competition for singers and ensembles.
About the Festival
The Texas Vocal Arts Festival celebrates the joy of singing, encourages artistic growth, and creates meaningful live performance opportunities for singers of all ages and backgrounds. Participants receive educational feedback from experienced voice professionals while joining a welcoming community of singers, teachers, families, and music lovers.
Why Participate?
Whether a student is preparing for auditions, studying privately, singing in school or church, or simply loves to sing, TVAF offers a clear and encouraging path to perform, learn, and grow.
Professional Feedback
Every contestant receives written comments designed to support future artistic and vocal growth.
Performance Experience
Singers gain confidence through a real performance experience in a supportive festival environment.
Awards and Gala Opportunities
Outstanding participants may receive prizes, certificates, special awards, and invitation to the Gala Showcase.
Who Can Join?
Participants compete according to their age on July 25, 2026.
Junior A
Junior B
Teen
Adult
Ensemble and Choir
Choose Your Performance Style
The Festival welcomes classical, contemporary, ensemble, and choir performances in all languages.
Classical Voice
Art songs, opera, operetta, folk songs, and classical vocal literature. Classical repertoire may be performed in an appropriate key for the singer's voice.
Contemporary Voice
Musical theatre, pop, jazz, and contemporary commercial music. Edited or performance-cut versions are permitted when musically coherent.
Ensemble and Choir
Duets, trios, vocal ensembles, and choirs. Directors or teachers may register multiple ensembles.
Important Dates
Registration Opens
Registration is now open.
Registration Deadline
All entries must be submitted.
Music Submission
Final accompaniment files are due.
Competition Day
HanOpera Music Academy.
Gala Showcase
Courtyard Theater, Downtown Plano.
Awards and Prizes
The Texas Vocal Arts Festival recognizes artistic achievement, growth, stage presence, and meaningful participation with over $3,000 in awards and prizes, certificates, special awards, and performance opportunities.
First Prize
Award recognition and certificate
Second Prize
Award recognition and certificate
Third Prize
Award recognition and certificate
Special Awards
Outstanding Young Artist, Stage Presence, Classical, Contemporary, and more
Audience Favorite
Most Popular Singer's Award voted by the audience
Gala Showcase
The Gala Showcase Concert and Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 7:00–9:00 PM at Courtyard Theater in Downtown Plano. Selected performers may be invited to perform based on artistic excellence, stage presence, program balance, repertoire variety, audience engagement, and overall concert effectiveness.
Register for Texas Vocal Arts Festival 2026
Choose the registration option that matches your entry. Registration is not complete until payment has been received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this competition only for advanced singers?
No. The Festival welcomes singers of all experience levels and is designed to be educational first and competitive second.
Do solo contestants have to perform from memory?
Yes. All solo contestants must perform from memory. Ensemble and choir entries are exempt from this requirement.
May I enter more than one category?
Yes. Contestants may enter multiple categories. Each category requires a separate registration and entry fee.
May I use the same song for multiple categories?
No. The same repertoire selection may not be used for multiple category entries by the same contestant.
May I perform in a transposed key?
Yes. Classical repertoire may be performed in the original key or in an appropriate transposed key for the contestant's voice.
Are shortened Musical Theatre cuts permitted?
Yes. Edited or performance-cut versions are permitted if the selection remains musically and artistically coherent.
Will participants receive comments?
Yes. All contestants will receive written comments and educational feedback from adjudicators.
Are registration fees refundable?
No. All registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Will all winners perform in the Gala Showcase Concert?
Not necessarily. The Gala Showcase is an invitation-only performance event based on artistic excellence, program balance, repertoire variety, and overall concert effectiveness.
What should participants wear?
Contestants should wear appropriate concert or performance attire. Gala performers are expected to wear formal concert attire.
Please review the full Festival policies before registering.
The full rules include performance requirements, accompaniment policies, memorization rules, media release, copyright responsibilities, refund policy, and Festival Committee authority.
View Full Rules and Policies