Dreams come to life Sunday, March 5 at the 18th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition

Previous winner giving back this year with scholarship in his name

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The community is invited to enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music on Sunday, March 5, as talented vocalists from across the U.S. and beyond compete in the 18th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. This one-of-a-kind event awards more than $700,000 in scholarships and prizes and provides an opportunity to attend the University of Kentucky as part of the UK Opera Theatre program. The competition begins at 2 p.m. at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts. Admission in complimentary.

Since it began, the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition has enabled more than 190 students to pursue their operatic ambitions and receive an education in the arts. Winners have traveled the world — performing, teaching and providing inspiration to others.

The competition was initiated in 2006 by the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, who was an avid supporter of the arts. His friendship with Dr. Everett McCorvey of the UK Opera Theatre inspired what is now one of the largest vocal scholarship competitions in the world.

The competition attracts some of the top vocal performers from around the world, helping them overcome financial barriers and paving their way to a successful career. The Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition has been credited as a contributor to the major growth of UK’s opera program, which is now widely considered to be one of the best in the United States.

“There is no other opportunity like this in the world,” Dr. McCorvey said.

This year, one of the early winners of the competition is giving back to UK Opera Theatre by sponsoring an additional scholarship. In 2007, the second year of the competition, Reggie Smith traveled nine hours from Atlanta to Lexington on a Greyhound bus and arrived just in time to take the stage.

“He walked right out onto the stage and the minute he opened his mouth, you had goosebumps. It was amazing,” recalled Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, cofounder of Alltech. “It was a life-changing moment for him. Now, he is well-known around the globe and wants to give a scholarship to another deserving student.”

The Reginald Smith Jr. Prize will be presented at this year’s competition. It will support students whose lives will be as dramatically changed by this opportunity as his was.

Since his time at UK, Smith has enjoyed a successful singing career. Among his many accomplishments, he participated in the young artist program at Houston Grand Opera, won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2015 and sang on the Grammy Award-winning recording of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-20 production of “Porgy and Bess.” He has been lauded by Opera News as having “one of the most exciting baritone sounds to come along in years.”

“Reggie is a wonderful example of what the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition is all about,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech president and CEO. “It is heartwarming to see my father’s legacy living on through the students whose lives have been transformed by the opportunity to study with Dr. McCorvey and sing with UK Opera Theatre. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. Because of your generosity, nearly 200 talented singers have been empowered to pursue their dreams.”

Judges for the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition will select multiple winners in several categories, including undergraduate, graduate and transfer students. In addition to cash prizes, winners will receive scholarships at attend UK, including full-tuition awards.

In addition to performing at UK, the Alltech Vocal Scholars infuse art into our community throughout the year with performances such as “A Grand Night for Singing” and the annual Alltech Celebration of Song, a free holiday concert at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Learn more about the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and watch last year’s competition at alltech.com/vocal.

Reginald Smith Jr.