Bettine McCaughan Memorial Scholarship

The Bettine McCaughan Memorial Scholarship (BMS): 

• This scholarship is awarded every year to a singer deserving, in the minds of the adjudicators, financial help towards developing their career as a classical singer.
• It is awarded to a promising singer under the age of 26 and is open to entries from Australian residents Australia wide.
• For entries top this competition, submit your entry forms using this booking site and pay the required $30 administration fee.
• Applications must be received by Sunday 5 July 2026 at 11:59pm.
• This concert final will be on 29th August 2026.​

To read the complete TERMS AND CONDITIONS and submit your entry please follow this link:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I.         The Bettine McCaughan Memorial Scholarship (BMS):

• Is administered by the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS Ltd).
• Is funded by the Bettine McCaughan Scholarship Trust.
• Is worth $6,000.
• Must be spent in the pursuit of excellence in Classical Voice performance.
• Is open to any Australian resident, aged 26 and under, as of 13 June 2026.
• Must be used within 18 months of receipt.
• Will be publicised through the ANATS newsletter, website and Facebook.
• The recipient must follow up with financial acquittals and details of activities paid for through the scholarship within 6 months of final activity or 2 years of scholarship receipt, whichever comes first.
• The entry fee (non-refundable) for the scholarship is $30.

II.         Selection Process Stage 1:

• Applications must be made and paid for using this Humanitix link : https://events.humanitix.com/bms-scholarship-2026
• Submission of a Video recording (DVD, USB drive or streaming video) showing the performance of one aria (from opera or oratorio) and one Art Song/Lied (to be sung in original language) by the applicant; the two items shall be in different languages.
  • Please be aware that a high-quality recording is in your own best interest
  • Suggestions for making a successful video:
    • Make your video in a hall or large room that best represents a proper concert setting;
      Avoid using a room in a house or a music studio;
      If at all possible, collaborate with a live accompanist;
      Use very good lighting;
    • Keep the camera far enough away so as to see the singer from head to toe 
    • Avoid using videos from live costumed performances
    • In this performance the singer must sing either with live or recorded piano accompaniment
    • Please note: no unaccompanied performances will be accepted
• Submission of a Curriculum Vitae outlining previous musical/vocal training and experience.
• Submission of a Written Study Statement (of approximately 500 words) outlining how the scholarship money would be spent in the pursuit of voice training and/or language training (pertaining to Classical singing, i.e. Italian, French, German, Russian). ​
• The above is to be included in the Booking application or sent to bms@anats.org.au or by post to Lucas de Jong, 15 Harold Keys Dr, Narre Warren South 3805.
  • Applications must be received by Sunday 5 July 2026 at 11:59pm
  • Finals will be held on Saturday 29 August 2026 in Box Hill, Melbourne.
  • Finalists must be prepared to perform in Melbourne on Saturday 29 August 2026. Financial support for travel may be available through your State Chapter – please contact your State Chapter President to discuss what support is on offer https://www.anats.org.au/
  • Finalists will be selected by the BMS selection panel.
  • The BMS panel comprises three industry professionals as specified in the Deed which governs this scholarship.
  • For 2026 the adjudicators are David Ashton-Smith, Carole McKenzie and Dr Stephen Grant.
  • The applicant must not have had personal teaching contact with a member of the judging panel for a minimum period of six months prior to the competition.
  • Applicants will be assessed on singing ability, musicality, vocal potential and viability of the proposed study.
  • The decision of the selection panel will be final, and no discussion will be entered into.
  • All applicants will be notified of the outcome of Stage 1 by 12th July.
  • There is no pre-set number of finalists. The number of finalists chosen will be reflective of the quality of applications.
  • Finalists must confirm their appearance in the finals within 48 hours of being notified.

III.         Selection Process Stage 2: Live Performance

• A live singing competition in the form of a public concert to be held at 7.30pm on Saturday 29th August 2026 at St Peter’s Anglican Church, 1030 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill, VIC 3128.
• Finalists must present three items: the two pieces from Stage 1 and one other, contrasting item from the classical voice repertoire.
• Finalists must submit their program by 22nd August and one copy of sheet music of each item for the adjudicators must be supplied on the day of the final.
• An official accompanist for the final will be provided at no expense to the finalists. Each performer will be allocated 20 minutes rehearsal on the day of the final.
• The accompanist for 2026 is Konrad Olszewski. Each finalist must send scans of their selections to Konrad no later than 7 days before the final.             konradfolszewski@gmail.com      0438 183 289
• If preferred, finalists are free to bring their own accompanist at their own expense.
• If finalists bring their own accompanist, they must advise this upon submitting their program.
• Singing ability, musicality, vocal potential and viability of the proposed study will be the criteria applied in the awarding of the BMS Scholarship.
• The decision of the selection panel will be final, and no discussion will be entered into.
• The winner of the scholarship will be announced on the night of the competition final concert.

An additional award will be given at the final:

The ANATS Victoria Award of $500

​All correspondence to bms@anats.org.au