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Maryland Opera
Outreach & Event accompanist auditions

september 28, 2025

Maryland Opera will hold auditions for local pianists within the state of Maryland to be accompanists for its Education Outreach Programs and other events. Join our outreach artist roster to bring the joy and fun of opera to the community in schools, Head Starts, hospitals, Judy Centers, senior centers and more! We are looking for accompanists with strong skills and knowledge to accompany operatic repertoire as well as musical theater and American Songbook selections for outreach shows and programs throughout Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.

Date/Time: Sunday, September 28, 2025 4:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Roland Park Community Center - 5802 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210
- Free parking is available in the lot behind the building accessible from Bellemore Road
Programming locations: Greater Baltimore and Eastern Shore
Contact: Jason Buckwalter - info@marylandopera.org

All applicants are required to fill out the form below. Information regarding our programs can be found via the links below the application form.

Applicants must have strong knowledge and skill accompanying operatic repertoire
Applicants must have some daytime availability
Applicants must be comfortable speaking in front of audiences

Audition times will be assigned in 10 minute blocks between 4:30pm and 7:30pm on September 28. Please provide your top three choices for an audition time. We will do our best to honor these requests but times are not guaranteed.
Auditioners will be required to offer 1 prepared piece of their choice (max 3 minutes) and accompany either "Largo al factotum" from Il barbiere di Siviglia or "Quando m'en vo" from La Bohème
Auditioners will also be required to present a short paragraph of dialogue from one of MO's outreach scripts
Sheet music for the Barber or Bohème excerpts and a dialogue sheet will be provided ahead of time to anyone granted an audition
You are not required to bring a rep sheet, résumé, or photo to the audition as they are part of the application form.
You will receive an email to indicate if you have been granted an audition and what time the audition will be.
Please direct any questions to Jason Buckwalter at info@marylandopera.org.

Education & Outreach

Maryland Opera offers programs at reduced fees or free of charge for opera education performances to Maryland schools, Head Starts, libraries, senior centers, and other venues for grades pre-K through 12. Program performances are scheduled throughout the year. More information regarding our programs can be found here: Educational & Outreach for K-12.

Educational & Outreach Program Requirements:

Preparation of assigned programmed repertoire and dialogue from a script. Some dialogue may require memorization.
Most assigned program repertoire can be found in the “standard” operatic repertoire.
Programs range from 30 to 45 mins
Most programs are based in Baltimore City and surrounding counties, but Maryland Opera aims to bring opera throughout the state of Maryland. Performer’s residence will be considered when assigning runout programs for specific locations.
Reliable transportation is requested as MD Opera cannot provide travel to performances.
Compensation for programs: $100 to $150 per show
A system of distributing props and other materials, including keyboard and stand, will be arranged depending on the needs of the program.

Maryland Opera will offer:

1 paid rehearsal in preparation for the education outreach programs assigned
Access to study materials

There are no auditions scheduled at this time.
Check back later in the year for information about our January 2026 auditions for Chorus, Comprimario, and Outreach singers.

Maryland Opera Children's Festival

Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 2pm-5pm

FREE - Registration required

Maryland Center for History and Culture

610 Park Avenue | Baltimore, MD 21201

SOLD OUT

Registration is closed for this event

The Maryland Opera Children's Festival is entirely FREE and welcomes families and young ones for a day of discovery. The event features arts & crafts, an instrument petting zoo, the puppet performers of the MO Outreach Program, cookies and cocoa, and a children's opera version of Hansel and Gretel. There might even be a surprise guest!

This event is made possible in part by PNC Grow Up Great.

The application period has ended.

Please check back in December for our next round of auditions in January 2026.

Maryland Opera auditions

January 26, 2025

Maryland Opera will hold an open call audition for local artists within the state of Maryland for casting consideration in our Education Outreach Programs as well as Chorus and Comprimario Roles for Mainstage Performances. We seek artists with strong stage and improv skills and an enthusiasm for audience engagement and helping us bring opera to all ages.

Date/Time: Sunday, January 26, 2025 2pm-8pm
Location: St. Mark's Lutheran Church 1900 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218
- Free parking is available in the lot across 20th street from the church
Programming locations: Greater Baltimore and Eastern Shore
Contact: Jason Buckwalter - info@marylandopera.org

All applicants are required to fill out the form below. Information regarding our programs can be found below the application form.

Audition times will be assigned in 10 minute blocks between 2pm and 8pm on January 26. Please provide your top three choices for an audition time. We will do our best to honor these requests but times are not guaranteed.
You will be required to offer 2 opera arias
You may be asked to act out an improvised scenario
You are not required to bring a rep sheet, résumé, or photo to the audition as they are part of the application form.
Please bring your music double-sided in a 3-ring binder.
A collaborative pianist will be provided for your audition.
You will receive an email to indicate if you have been granted an audition and what time the audition will be.
Please direct any questions to Jason Buckwalter at info@marylandopera.org.

Auditions applications must be received by 11:59pm on January 19, 2025.

Maryland Opera Mainstage Auditions (Chorus and Comprimario Roles):

Maryland Opera offers quality opera performances, innovative artistry, and support for social awareness and change. Maryland Opera aspires to become the premier opera organization in Maryland! Mainstage performances include concerts and fully staged productions.

Maryland Opera Mainstage Requirements:

Memorization of assigned role(s)
Coached and prepared role(s) for staging.

View Upcoming Performances

View Past Performances

*Those interested in principal roles only should email materials to

Jason Buckwalter at info@marylandopera.org.

Educational & Outreach

Maryland Opera offers programs at reduced fees or free of charge for opera education performances to Maryland schools, libraries, and community centers for grades pre-K through 12. Program performances are scheduled throughout the year. More information regarding our programs can be found here: Educational & Outreach for K-12.

Educational & Outreach Program Requirements:

Memorization of assigned programmed repertoire and dialogue from a script.
Most assigned program repertoire can be found in the “standard” operatic repertoire. Also, your personal repertoire is considered in the revision of the programs.
Programs range from 30 to 45 mins
Improvisational skills are highly desirable as the programs really benefit from your creativity, but not mandatory.
Some programs use puppetry. This skill is a plus but not mandatory.
Most programs are based in Baltimore City and surrounding counties, but Maryland Opera aims to bring opera throughout the state of Maryland. Performer’s residence will be considered when assigning runout programs for specific locations.
Reliable transportation is requested as MD Opera cannot provide travel to performances.
Compensation for programs: $100 to $125 per show
A system of distributing props and other materials will be arranged depending on the needs of the program.
A collaborative pianist will be provided for all programs.

Maryland Opera will offer:

Paid rehearsals in preparation for the education outreach programs and mainstage performances
Access to study materials

To request a program at your venue,

please fill out the form.

Through funding from generous grantors, Maryland Opera is pleased to be able to present educational outreach programming free of charge or at low cost to venues throughout the state of Maryland.

With the support of PNC Grow Up Great, MO offers programs for early childhood audiences up to age 8 in schools, head start centers, libraries, and beyond.

With the support of Wells Fargo Cultural Excellence, MO offers programs with an emphasis on inclusion and diversity in underserved Baltimore communities.

Applications for programming will be automatically considered for funding under the guidelines provided by the granting organizations. Programs are on a first come, first served basis and will be scheduled until funding is exhausted. Performances are limited to 4 per venue per season to allow for widest audience engagement.

For venues seeking programming outside the constraints of these grantors or after funds have been exhausted, the fee schedule is below.

Please direct scheduling and payment questions to Education Coordinator Emma Webster at ewebster@marylandopera.org.

Maryland Opera Education Outreach Fee Schedule:

$350
- The ABCs of Opera (Grades Pre K - 2)
- Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing (Grades 7 - 12)
- Marian Anderson (Grades 7 - 12)
- Sing a Rainbow (Grades Pre K - 2 & 3 - 6)

$400
- Let’s Make an Opera (Grades 3 - 12)
- Opera Bears (Grades Pre K - 2)
- Opera Games! (Grades 3 - 12)
- Puppets & Papageno (Grades (Pre K - 2)
$500
- The Adventures of Papageno (Grades Pre K - 2 & 3 - 6)

Funding may be available for your venue through generous grantors who support this work. We are happy to talk with you about budget constraints. Please make a note in the comment section of the form if you would like to discuss this with our Education Coordinator.

Arias & Adventures

Grades: Pre-K - 2
Length: 30 Minutes

Audience Max: 250

In this delightful introduction to opera, two mysterious characters are imagined into existence from audience suggestions and show how a story can be told through singing.

Much Ado About Opera

Grades: 3 - 6

Length: 45 Minutes

Audience Max: 250

Between a pianist, a singer, and a secret identity (or two!), students learn that opera is both fun and full of surprises.