- May 10 Peeter Vähi's "Antarctic Concerto" world première, with guitar soloist Rémi Boucher and the Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta led by Andres Mustonen, at Nordea Concert Hall in Tallinn, Estonia
Canonization
May 10 Pope Benedict XVI signs decree of canonization of Benedictine nun and composer Hildegard von Bingen, completing sainthood process started in 1228
Music History
May 12 American songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David receive Library of Congress Gershwin Prize at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Billboard Music Awards
May 20 19th Billboard Music Awards: Adele, wins 12; LMFAO, Coldplay, and Lil Wayne also win
- May 26 57th Eurovision Song Contest: Loreen for Sweden wins singing "Euphoria" in Baku
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers