Applicants must be able to sing in more than one language and show artistic aptitude. Applicants should be citizens of the United States of America or Canada. Foreign applicants must show proof of one-year residency . The district and region auditions require five arias of the singer's choice consisting of contrasting languages and styles. The awards given by the Council are all outright cash grants made possible by generous benefactors.
Some regions also award additional cash prizes of varying amounts.
All first place Regional Winners are brought to New York to compete in the National Semi-Finals at the expense of The Metropolitan Opera National Council. Application Information Deadlines for the National Council Auditions are determined by local districts and regions. Most application deadlines are in the early to late fall. District auditions occur from October through February with the winners advancing to the Regional Auditions, which are usually held between October and February. Certified copy of birth certificate or other legal proof of age.