Help Support the Future of the George Shirley Competition

Founded by and named for Professor George Shirley – legendary operatic tenor, recipient of the Congressional Medal of the Arts, and professor emeritus at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) – the George Shirley Vocal Competition: African American Vocal Repertoire (GSVC) is an extension of Professor Shirley’s longtime commitment to mentoring future operatic artists. Established in 2011, the GSVC is the only vocal competition in the nation to focus exclusively on teaching, promoting, and preserving the African American and African diasporic vocal repertoire.

In order to sustain this prestigious competition in perpetuity, building the George Shirley Vocal Competition Endowment Fund is our top fundraising priority. This endowment enables us to continue awarding over $48,000 in annual prizes, support our administrative structure, eliminate application fees, provide travel stipends, and bring the most renowned judges and instructors to campus.

African American Vocal Repertoire is an important, living part of American history that deserves to be shared and preserved for future generations. We humbly ask you to help us bolster this impressive art form and the talented artists who represent it.

Please consider supporting our campaign by making a gift to the George Shirley Vocal Competition Endowment. Additionally, if you choose to make your gift recurring, it will be matched by the University dollar for dollar–up to $100 a month–for twelve months.

Thank you for supporting George Shirley’s vision to preserve the African American art song, spiritual, and operatic arias while uplifting this next generation of artists.

With gratitude,

Louise Toppin, DMA '90, Professor of Music, Co-founder and Director of the GSVC, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professorship Recipient of U-M’s Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, 2021.

Please Note: Gifts to endowed funds will be administered as permanent endowment under Michigan law and University policies; excess distributions may be added to the principal for reinvestment or used later for the purpose(s) for which the fund was established.