Some record labels to beware of

VAN magazine has published an exposé of some all too familiar practices by so-called competitions and their associated labels.

Example:

The New York-based coloratura soprano Sarah Heilman applied this year. “This competition seemed like one where I may have been able to be a contender, even though I am still in the early process of ‘making it’ as a professional,” she said. She paid her $95 entry fee, sent in her videos, and won a First Grand Award in the Virtuoso category. But she was unable to attend the winners’ concert in the Musikverein due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and was therefore told that she would forfeit her $1,200 prize. In the end, all Heilman got was a certificate sent via email.

Read on here.