Established in 2007, Elgin Opera's Annual Vocal Competition is open to students and emerging artists from the Chicago area and beyond. Singers are adjudicated by established professionals in the field in three rounds, culminating in finals open to the public. In addition to the monetary prizes awarded to the winners, finalists and selected participants are invited to be featured in our Summer Outreach Festival and in programs throughout the season.

In 2008, the second year of the program, the Emerging Artist division was added to the competition, providing a rare opportunity for more mature singers, whether just entering the professional phase of their careers or returning to opera after taking time out for other aspects of their lives.

The Most Promising Artist award was established in the competition's third year. Its first recipient, Marcy Stonikas, was also that year's first place winner in the Emerging Artist division, and sang the title role in the Summer Festival production of Suor Angelica.