2022 NextGen National: Semi-Final Round

NextGen National: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow is a vocal competition created to give collegiate vocalists the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and compete for a chance to win a monetary prize and various paid performance opportunities with The American Pops Orchestra throughout their next season!

From hundreds of applicants, 30 semi-finalists were chosen to compete in the semi-final round on January 29 at 8pm, where the top 10 competitors will be selected to advance to the live final round in March 2022. Finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and the virtual audience, who will be given the chance to vote for who they think should move to the next round.

By registering for this event, you will receive a private livestream link 24 hours before the broadcast begins. Following the semi-final livestream, viewers will receive a voting link to vote for their favorite semi-finalists.

Our judges for this round will be Aisha Jackson (Waitress, Frozen), Cory Parker (U.S. Navy Band), Brittany Renne Robinson (Metropolitan Opera Soprano), and Tara Young (Broadway Director and Choreographer). In addition to our panel of judges, our virtual audience will serve as the 5th judge by voting for your favorite singers!

APO is honored to offer the "Chip Hand Prize for Vocal Excellence", generously sponsored by Ann and Lloyd Hand, to the first place male winner in memory of Chip Hand. This competition would not be possible without the support of Ann and Lloyd Hand, The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, and our faithful APO supporters!

This year, we are excited to welcome 30 students from a variety of schools and programs across the country! Participating schools include: Baldwin Wallace University, Ball State University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, The Catholic University of America, George Mason University, Graceland University, Hartt School, Howard University, Indiana University, Ithaca College, James Madison University, Liberty University, Long Island University, Manhattan School of Music, Millikin University, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Providence College, Queen's College, Oakland University, Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Michigan, and West Virginia University.