Budding Talent Vocal Competition

Budding Talent is an annual vocal competition open to performers in kindergarten through 12th grade. Contestants can participate as a solo act, or as a group (up to 4 students, in the same age category). The contest provides young singers the opportunity to showcase their skills and perform on stage in the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts during Richardson’s Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival in front of a live audience.

Live auditions for all applicants were held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Richardson Senior Center, located at 820 W. Arapaho Road. Contestants must apply by the March 21st deadline to participate.

Contestants are grouped into five age categories:

Seedlings: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

Sprouts: 3rd Grade – 5th Grade

Buds: 6th Grade – 8th Grade

Jr. Wildflowers!: 9th Grade – 10th Grade

Wildflowers!: 11th Grade – 12th Grade

Applications have closed.

2025 Finalists

The finalist will perform live at Wildflower! on Sunday, May 18 at 12:30 p.m. on the Singer Songwriter Stage inside the Eisemann Center.

Competition Rules

• Contestants must be of school age (kindergarten to senior in high school).
• Contestants must complete the online application and be Texas residents.
• Contestants are required to perform in-person at the live audition in Richardson, TX. on April 6, 2025.
• Contestants must include a current photo to be used in the Finals Program for those advancing to the Finals.
• Contestants will receive an email with all details pertaining to the live audition, including timeslot. If you have not received information prior to March 28, please check your spam folder or email us at [email protected].
• Contestants must perform a song from memory at the live audition in front of the Budding Talent panel of judges, and their age group peers.
• Song selection cannot exceed 3 minutes. No vulgar language or profanity will be allowed.
• For the auditions, contestants may sing a cappella, bring a phone or ipad for musical accompaniment, accompany themselves on an acoustic instrument, or bring an accompanist (with an instrument). Bluetooth will not be provided, please bring your own auxiliary cord. No flash drives are allowed.
• Small vocal ensembles of two to four singers are eligible, but bands are not eligible to apply.
• Parents are not allowed into live audition room with contestants.
• Selected finalists are invited to perform on the Singer Songwriter Stage in the Eisemann Center during the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival on Sunday, May 18, at 12:30 p.m.
• Finalists and at least one parent must attend a mandatory meeting prior to the festival (details forthcoming).
• Prizes will be given to the winner in each age category.

For more information or clarification on any contest rules, please email [email protected].