Hardin-Simmons students take part in the National Association of Teachers of Singing

Ten former students from HSU will have the honor to participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) this week. The conference will be held at Baylor University in Waco, many students from other universities will participate as well. HSU students will also provide a recital open to the public on October 31 in the Woodward Recital Auditorium at 3 p.m. They will bring their NATS experience to campus while the audience enjoys their music.

NATS was founded in 1944 and is the most significant professional association of singing teachers in the world with nearly 7,000 members in the United States. It is also represented worldwide in almost 30 different countries. Their mission is to encourage the teaching of vocal arts and its ethical principles. For this year’s conference, students can participate in different workshops, teachers and students can attend various events, and compete with other students from different schools.

Dr. Lynnete E. Chambers, Professor of Voice at Hardin-Simmons, explained that they are expecting around 500-550 students there from the Texhoma region  (Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma) to compete in the preliminary rounds. For the first round of this competition, students need to get a score of ninety points to move to the second round. From this round, a few students will be carefully selected to compete at the final round. A monetary award of $25 will be given to those who reach the finals.

This year’s conference will include a master class with a teacher from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. The special guest this year has a significant value for the students since the University of Cincinnati has been ranked as one of the best music programs in the nation.

Dr. Chambers also points out that the ten HSU students who were selected to travel to the conference were the ones who showed genuine interest and true vocation. An explanation of the NATS is given to former students at the beginning of the semester, and Dr. Chambers explains that those who show they have the capability, drive, and discipline to be successful at the conference are chosen in advance to be part of it.

Hardin-Simmons has high expectations for this year’s conference since the students are engaged in what they do and demonstrate that they have talent and passion for music.

Students who are attending are as follow:

Jonas Sims

Clarissa Ingalls

Annelisa Martinez

Sydnie Renner

Janet Moreno

Alyssa Anderson

Katie Garcia

Bryson Rule

Aaron Dominguez

Serayah Peters