2023 Igor Gorin Memorial Award
Since 1993, the Igor Gorin Memorial Award has awarded $358,000 to help 47 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 2023 award is up to $12,000 at the discretion of the adjudicating committee.
Applications for the 2023 Igor Gorin Memorial Award are now closed.
Applications must be submitted online through the Common Grant Application. New applicants will need to create an account before beginning their application. Returning applicants may log in using their previous account.
Click here for a brief tutorial on using the Common Grant Application.
Questions?
Contact Enedina Miller at emiller@cfsaz.org or 520-209-1525.
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.