Igor never forgot his early struggles to survive and launch his career; consequently, his family established this award at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona as a fitting way to honor his memory by providing opportunities for aspiring vocalists.
Since 1993, the Igor Gorin Memorial Award has awarded $382,000 to help 49 individual young vocalists at the start of their operatic career. Igor never forgot his early struggles to survive and launch his career; consequently, his family established this award at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona as a fitting way to honor his memory in providing opportunities for aspiring vocalists.
For gifted vocalists poised to begin successful careers, flying from city to city to audition, and hiring accompanists and coaches is expensive. The award money is unrestricted and may be used for coaching, travel, clothing, living costs, and audition expenses. The 2025 award is up to $12,000 at the discretion of the adjudicating committee.
Nominations open October 1st! Deadline to apply is December 6th, 2024 by 5:00 pm MST. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Questions? Contact our Community Impact Team at community@cfsaz.org or by phone at 520-770-0800.
Mr. Gorin was a Russian refugee who, in the late 1920’s, escaped to Vienna before immigrating to the United States. His star began to rise as a member of the Czechoslovakian Opera Company. Later, he was invited to the United States by a synagogue in Providence, Rhode Island where he assumed cantorial duties. This was the beginning of a spectacular career in radio, film, stage and television.
Earning a reputation as the “Prince of Baritones,” Igor Gorin’s career spanned the 1930’s through the 1960’s. During WWII, he gave more of his time and talent entertaining the troops than anyone in Hollywood. He had a personal motivation, as his father, brother and sister were in Auschwitz and Igor desperately wanted to see them freed. Singing to the troops, he later said, was his way of saying “thank you.”
Igor and Mary Gorin retired to Tucson in 1965. Before long, then University of Arizona President Richard Harvill invited Igor to begin a second career teaching opera at the university. In working with the next generation of voices, Igor was reminded of his own early struggles to survive and launch his career.