The purpose of the National Council Auditions Program is:

1. To discover exceptional young talent.

2. To provide a venue for young opera singers from all over the country and at all different levels of experience to be heard by a representative of the Metropolitan Opera and to assist those with the greatest potential in their development.

3. To identify new talent for the Metropolitan Opera and for possible participants in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.

[During the 1980-81 season, the Metropolitan Opera designed the Young Artist Development Program for the purpose of nurturing the most talented young artists through training and performance opportunities. The Program meets these challenges by providing financial aid together with closely supervised artistic direction, led by a team of experienced administrators and prominent artists at the Metropolitan Opera.]