WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

The contest is open to all singers of all nationalities below university age. For the purposes of this contest age categories and grade levels refer to your placement at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year: 

• Elementary School [E]– Students enrolled in 1st – 5th Grade (approx.. ages 6-11)

• Middle School [M]– Students enrolled in 6th – 8th Grade (approx.. ages 11-14)

• High School [H]– Students enrolled in 9th – 12th Grade (approx.. ages 14-18)

• Local Category – All singers that reside in Bucks County, PA will be automatically entered into the local category in addition to their age category contest

 

APPLICATION:

Complete application includes the application form, video release form, video submission of your solo, and a non-refundable application fee of US $25.00. A payment link will be e-mailed to you after the submission of the application form.  All application forms and fees and video entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM on FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025, Eastern Time. Any entries after that strict deadline will be disqualified. 

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RESTRICTIONS:

Contestants are permitted to win 1st Place in each age category only once. First place winners of any previous year’s competition may not compete again in the same age category. Once you have aged into a new age category, you are welcome to participate once again, in the competition. 

 

In the interest of fairness, OHMTEC Board Members and members of their immediate families are not permitted to compete in the Hammerstein International Youth Solo Competition, nor is a judge permitted to evaluate their own student.  

 

SONG REQUIREMENTS: 

All songs performed must have lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The original and complete lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II must be performed. Singers are required to sing their selections from memory. You may sing with a live pianist or an accompaniment track. We will not accept unaccompanied entries.[MOU1] 

 

FIRST ROUND:
For the first round of competition; contestants will submit a 1-minute cut of their full solo performance for consideration. 

 

SECOND ROUND: If you are selected as a finalist, you will be asked to submit the full performance of your selected song. In addition, you will be asked to submit a 30 sec. or less introduction video, which will be used in the online awards ceremony.

 

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS:

The performance recorded for the video entry must be acoustic, and not amplified. The only microphone(s) involved should be for recording, and your voice must not be amplified. No mixing or sound enhancement is allowed through any kind of soundboard, including at a recording studio. No reverb can be added to the recording. The recording must be honest and acoustic. The video must clearly show your face. A stationary camera position throughout, showing your face and most of your body is preferred. You are required to introduce yourself and your selection in the video.  Your introduction should include…

• Your Name

• The Title of the song you will perform

• The show the song is from.

• Do not state where you are located in the video

Video editing during a song is not allowed. This will be automatic grounds for disqualification. Your song must be filmed in one continuous take. You may film your introduction separately and add to the beginning of your video. 

Your video must be titled, as follows:

• Hammerstein Museum Contest 2025 [Category- E,M,H,], [Your Name]

For Example:   OHMTEC Contest 2025- H – Jane Smith

Post your video on either YouTube or Vimeo.  In the official entry form, you will provide the link with the web address of your video posting. OHMTEC will also post your video on the OHMTEC Solo Contest Channel. Please double check the link you have provided and make sure that your video is set to “public” or “unlisted” and not “private.”

 

JURY:

The decisions made by the judges of the competition are final and are not subject to query, review or appeal. During the competition, contestants should not make any personal contact with the competition judges regarding the competition. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification.

 

CONTEST TIMELINE & NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS:

• Registration Opens: June 1, 2025

• 1st Round Solo Submissions Due:  July 18,, 2025; 11:59 PM, Eastern Time

  • Please submit a 1-minute cut of your full solo performance for consideration. 

• Finalists will be announced via email on August 4,  2025

• Finalist Videos, Introduction Videos and Headshots Due - August 17,, 2024; 11:59 PM Eastern Time

  • Finalists will receive introduction video requirements and upload directions via email

• Contest winners will be announced via a Facebook Live Broadcast on September 12,  at 8 PM; Eastern Time. Winners will also receive a follow-up email on September 15th  with prize claim information. 

 

1ST PLACE PRIZES:

·   $250 Cash Prize

·   Invitation to perform your song at the Gala on October 19th in Doylestown, PA

·   Invitation to visit Oscar Hammerstein’s home and record your song in his living room

·   One on one coaching session with a Broadway Professional Teaching Artist. 

·   OHMTEC merchandise

 

2nd PLACE PRIZES:

·   $100 Cash Prize

·   Oscar Hammerstein II Collection, Hal Leonard Corporation – Sheet Music [MOU2] collection with over 50 great songs with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, photos and biography.

·   OHMTEC merchandise

 

3rd PLACE PRIZES:

·   $50 Cash Prize

·   OHMTEC merchandise

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THE OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN MUSEUM AND THEATRE EDUCATION CENTER (OHMTEC) RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE VIDEOS SUBMITTED FOR THE CONTEST TO PROMOTE 

THE MUSEUM AND FUTURE MUSEUM SOLO CONTESTS.

 

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