Overture Awards Competition

The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition is currently the region’s largest solo arts competition for high school students. The Scholarship Competition rewards artistic excellence in six disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art and Vocal Music. Each year, students compete for six $2500 scholarships (one for each discipline). The generosity of our sponsors has allowed us to also offer 18 finalist scholarships worth $500. The Overture Awards Program recruits judges for the competition from the professional arts community.

Participating in The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition

Competitions are not just about winning.

Competitors must be available for all competition/awards-related events (See Calendar)

1. For competition criteria, please click on your discipline below, or download a coordinator packet. 

   • Creative Writing
   • Dance
   • Instrumental Music
   • Theater
   • Visual Art
   • Vocal Music
     

   Vocal Music Audition Guidelines
   

    

2. Complete rules of the competition are available in the Coordinator Packet.
   
   
   

Applying for the Competition

1. Students are not permitted to directly apply to compete in the Scholarship Competition. Each school, home school or studio must nominate a teacher or counselor to serve as coordinator for their site. (However, students may fill out the application form online and give to their school's coordinator.)
   
   School/studio staff: To register your school for competition, download an Overture Awards Coordinator Packet.(which includes the Coordinator Form, Participant List and Student Application).
   
   
2. All registration forms must arrive in ONE (1) package from the coordinator. If any of the following are not received (and correctly completed) by the deadline, the student(s) will be disqualified:
   
   • School Coordinator Form
     
   • School Participant List
   • Student Applications (one for each student/discipline)
   • Four (4) Copies of each Creative Writing Manuscript
   • Fees (or fee waiver) for each student listed on School Participant List*
   • Music if the Overture Awards is providing an accompanist
     
   
   
3. *There is a $20 non-refundable entrance fee to compete for each student/discipline.
   
   
4. Mail complete packet to:
   The Overture Awards c/o CAA
   650 Walnut Street
   Cincinnati, OH 45202
   
   
5. Hand Delivery: During office hours, to the Aronoff Administrative Offices, on 7th Street between Walnut and Main Streets.  After office hours, to the Aronoff Center’s Stage Door, entrance on 7th St. (between Walnut & Main).
   

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Coordinator Form, Participant List and Application are all forms that can be filled out online and printed.

• The Coordinator Form and Participant list are in the Coordinator Packet (click on the link above).

• Click here to download registration form.  It should open in your browser window.
• Save to your computer.
  
• Type your information in the appropriate fields.
  
• Print the forms.
  
• Competitors' applications must be turned into their school's Overture Coordinator.
  
• The Visual Art Cover Sheet must be turned in when the student drops off his/her artwork.