Manukau Symphony Orchestra
presents
Nicholas Tarling
Aria Competition 2025
After the tremendous success of the 2023 and 2024 Nicholas Tarling Aria Competitions, we’re thrilled to return and celebrate the extraordinary power of the human voice. This is your opportunity to be part of the 2025 competition.
All singers are welcome to join the Digital Round. Please read the T&Cs for more information.
Entries for the 2025 competition are now open and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday 24 November 2024.
The Competition
Are you a regular performer in your community choir? Perhaps you’re already captivating audiences with your stage presence? Or maybe you’re honing your skills as you prepare for an international music career? This is your chance to shine—embrace the spotlight, showcase your talent, and experience the thrill of music at the third annual Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition!
All singers are welcome to join the Digital Round.
Auckland is alive with exceptionally talented singers, and this competition is your chance to take the stage and share your unique gift with the world. Musicians of all backgrounds are encouraged to join us and experience the thrill and magic of singing. We remain dedicated to the South Auckland community, as the Manukau Symphony Orchestra aims to uplift local talent and provide a launchpad for future musical careers.
The 2025 competition will feature three categories: a Junior Division for those aged 18 and under, a Scholarship Division for those aged 19 to 35 inclusive, and a Senior Division for those aged 36 and above.
Judging will be adjudicated by professional vocal coaches and artists.
Entry Information
Entries for the competition are now open.
Upload a video of yourself singing onto YouTube (can be a private or public channel) and complete an application form in the ENTER NOW section of the competition website www.tarlingaria.org.nz. Remember to include a link to your performance video. For further questions and enquiries please contact tarlingaria@gmail.com.
The closing date for entries is Sunday 24 November at 11.00pm.
The Prizes
First Prize Winner: $5,000 and recorded performance with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra
Runner-up Prize: $3,000 and recorded performance with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra
Most Promising Singer Prize: $1,000
Sally Stone Award: $1,000
18 Years and Under Prize: $1,000
Senior Trophy: engraved trophy to keep for one year
2025 Competition Timeline
DIGITAL ROUND
OPENING DATE MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2024 / CLOSING DATE SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2024
Upload a video of your singing to YouTube, and submit the completed application form with the link of your recording by 11.00pm on Sunday 24 November 2024. The entry form will be available on this website shortly. Applications will then be judged by official adjudicators, with selected participants invited to a live performance with piano at the Due Drop Events Centre.
FINAL ROUND RECITAL
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2025, DUE DROP EVENTS CENTRE, MANUKAU
Accompanist: Rosemary Barnes
Participants will be invited to perform up to 8 minutes (5 minutes for Junior category entrants) in total length with piano accompaniment on 11 February 2025 to adjudicators, friends, and family in a finale performance. The winners will be announced at the end of the evening. Participants must also be available for a dress rehearsal in the late afternoon / evening of Monday 10 February 2025.
FIRST PRIZE WINNER AND RUNNER-UP PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025, 5.00PM, MSO FAMILY CONCERT, DUE DROP EVENTS CENTRE
The First Prize Winner and Runner-up will perform popular arias with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra at the MSO FAMILY CONCERT on Sunday 15 June 2025.
Congratulations to Sarah Mileham on winning the Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition 2024
how to upload your video
Upload your audition video
in 6 easy steps
1. Set up your space
- Make sure you have good lighting and a quiet room.
- Set your camera/phone approximately 2 metres from yourself so you have room to move and our judges have a clear, full body view of you.
- If you are using a music stand or holding sheet music, make sure it is not blocking the sound between you and the microphone.
- If you have a piano to accompany you, make sure the piano is approximately 3 metres from the microphone behind you or to the side so as not to overpower your voice on the recording.
- Do not apply any audio or visual effects to your video. Only the Judge will be viewing your performance and will assess your application on your vocal ability alone. We do need to see clearly that it is you who is singing.
2: Choosing your song
- You may sing any song you wish but make sure you choose a song that suits your voice type and you are comfortable singing. Keep in mind the Final Round will require you to sing an Aria from more classical repertoire.
- Your song will need to have at least 2 minutes of singing,
- Your song may be accompanied by piano or unaccompanied.
3: Get Recording!
- Take a deep breath! Start recording, and state your name and the piece you will be singing. (This is so the judges won’t mix up the recordings!)
- Take a moment to calm yourself, then start singing.
- Hit the stop recording button and congratulations you are done!
4: Upload your video to YouTube
- See the video above how to upload your video to YouTube. You will need to create a YouTube account which is free to do.
- If you are uploading from your phone or other device, please see the instructions on this page.
- When selecting Visibility for your video, please list this as Unlisted. (Unless you are happy to make it public)
5: Copy the link to your video
- Once your video is published as Unlisted, select and copy the URL at the top of the video.
6: Fill in your online application form
- Make sure you paste the address for your video in the ‘Link to your Recording’ box. Fill in the rest of the application form, and Submit.
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Celebrating South Auckland
The number of incredible vocalists from the South Auckland area is astounding, and it has been a long-held aspiration by the Manukau Symphony Orchestra to host an aria competition for singers, to support them in their future careers.
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