Entry Requirements

The Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition is open to singers of all nationalities and countries of residence. Entries from the South Auckland area are particularly encouraged.

The Competition has three divisions:

  • Junior Division – 18 years and under
  • Emerging Artist Division – 19–35 years inclusive
  • Tarling Trophy Division – 36 years and over

A participant’s division is determined by their age on 15 November 2026, the closing date for entries.

Please read the full Terms & Conditions  before submitting your entry, including the eligibility requirements for previous winners.

Digital Round

Entries for the Digital Round open on Monday 7 September 2026 and close at 11.59pm on Sunday 15 November 2026. Late entries will not be accepted.

To enter, complete the online application form and provide an accessible YouTube link to your performance.

Digital Round performances must be between 3 and 9 minutes in duration. Participants may perform any art song or aria of their choosing.

How to Record and Upload Your Video Entry

1. Record your performance

  • Choose a suitable space where you can be seen and heard clearly. Your recording must provide a clear, uninterrupted view of you throughout the performance and clear, uninterrupted audio.
  • Before beginning your performance, state your name and the title of the work you are performing.
  • Your performance must be accompanied by piano only and the recording must not be edited in any way.

2: Upload your video to YouTube

  • Upload your completed recording to YouTube (or a different channel, such as Vimeo, if you prefer). You will need to provide a link to the video as part of your online application.
  • When selecting the visibility of your video, we recommend setting it to Unlisted. This allows Competition personnel and adjudicators to view the video without it being publicly searchable on YouTube.
  • Do not set your video to Private, as we will not be able to access it.
  • Before submitting your application, please check that the link works and that the video can be viewed without requesting permission.

3: Copy your YouTube link

  • Once your video has been uploaded, copy the link to your video. You will need to paste this into the relevant field on the online application form.

 

4: Complete your application

 

  • Complete all required fields on the online application form, paste in the link to your YouTube recording and submit your entry before 11.59 pm on Sunday 15 November 2026.

What happens after submission?

After submitting your application, you should receive an acknowledgement confirming that your entry has been received. Due to the volume of entries, please allow up to 48 hours for this acknowledgement. If you have not received confirmation after 48 hours, please contact tarlingaria@gmail.com.

Following the closing date, Digital Round performances will be assessed by the Competition’s adjudicators. Participants selected to progress to the Live Round will be notified by email no later than 30 November 2026.

If selected for the Live Round, you will be required to submit a recent photograph, a short biography and a digital copy of the piano reduction score for your chosen aria no later than Monday 21 December 2026. Full requirements are set out in the Terms & Conditions.

Travel Assistance

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, New Zealand participants travelling from outside the Auckland region may apply for travel assistance to attend the Live Round. Assistance is intended for participants who can demonstrate financial need and is subject to available funding.

Participants selected for the Gala Finale who are required to travel to Auckland again may also apply for additional travel assistance.

apply now!