FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN ORATORIO PERFORMANCE
The Winter Park National Oratorio Competition returns for its second year following a remarkable debut in 2025, which drew over 100 applications from across the country. Held in conjunction with the 91st Annual Winter Park Bach Festival, this Competition offers unique performance, coaching, and career-building opportunities for singers dedicated to the art of oratorio.
Founded by Meg Bragle and Mary Wilson in partnership with Dr. John Sinclair and the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, the Competition is dedicated to fostering excellence in the art of oratorio and creating meaningful pathways for the next generation of performers.
OUR MISSION is to provide an opportunity for emerging American singers to engage more deeply with oratorio literature. By creating this Competition, we hope to inspire singers to recognize the richness of the repertoire and encourage their artistic development as musicians who have something to say on the concert platform.
We are committed to:
Championing oratorio as a vital and vibrant performance tradition
Creating meaningful performance and career-building opportunities for young singers
Encouraging thoughtful, historically-informed interpretation and expressive storytelling
Building a strong, inclusive community of singers, educators and professional mentors
FINALISTS & EXPERIENCE
Finalists are selected through a national application process and invited to Winter Park, Florida, where they participate in masterclasses, educational workshops, and a live performance with full orchestra on the beautiful campus of Rollins College. They receive personalized feedback from a distinguished panel of judges, including soprano Mary Wilson, mezzo soprano Meg Bragle, tenor John Grau, and bass-baritone Dashon Burton. Prizes include cash awards and future engagements, with the goal of providing each finalist valuable insight and mentorship at a pivotal stage in their careers.
2025 Competition Highlights:
