“Roots and Branches” - Music - University of California, Irvine

African American Winners of the
Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions
compiled by:
Maurice B. Wheeler, Ph.D., University of North Texas,
College of Information
The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions were established in 1954, having been preceded by the
Auditions of the Air. Enormously popular with radio audiences across the country, the Auditions of the Air began
in 1935 and lasted nearly twenty years. As the 1950s began, a barrier was broken that helped to change forever the
face of opera in the United States and around the globe. Baritone Fred Thompson became the first African
American to be named winner of the prestigious award in 1951.
Since that time African American singers have consistently been among the winners of the Auditions, and have
established highly successful careers in opera houses throughout the world. The recognition, training and
exposure given these young singers as a result of winning the Auditions has been invaluable in laying the
foundation for successful and varied careers in opera and concert.
1950s
1951 Fred Thompson Baritone (Auditions of the Air)
1953 Robert McFerrin Baritone (Auditions of the Air)
1957 Robert Mosley Baritone
1957 Felicia Weathers Soprano
1958 Grace Bumbry Mezzo-Soprano
1960s
1961 George Shirley Tenor
1961 Shirley Verrett Soprano
1962 Veronica Tyler-Scott Soprano
1963 Junetta Jones Soprano
1966 Gwendolyn Killebrew Mezzo-Soprano
1968 Jessye Norman Soprano
1970s
1975 Carmen A. Balthrop. Soprano
1977 Vinson Cole Tenor
1978 Winifred Faix Brown Soprano
1980s
1981 Laurence Albert Bass
1983 Harolyn Blackwell Soprano
1983 Herbert Perry Bass-Baritone
1983 Jo Ann Pickens Soprano
1984 Theresa Hamm Soprano
1986 Mark S. Doss Bass
1986 Gordon Hawkins Baritone
1989 Kevin Short Bass-Baritone
1989 Tichina Vaughn Mezzo-Soprano