Five students receive awards and recognition at NATS Ozarks Chapter auditions
October 29, 2009
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292
Jordan Walker, Dusty Harmon, Michael Lovette,
Chelsea Smith, and Brianna Goode
Springfield, Mo — The Ozarks Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) held local auditions on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Drury University, attracting 78 students from Drury, Evangel, Missouri State University, Central Bible College, Missouri Southern, College of the Ozarks and Crowder College.
The Ozark Chapter auditions are separate from the State, Regional, and National NATS competitions. They consist of 12 separate categories for men and women in High School, College Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors and Graduate levels.
According to Susan Smith, Evangel associate professor of music and past secretary/treasurer of the NATS Ozark Chapter, the local auditions were established several years ago with two purposes in mind.
“We wanted to give our students who cannot bear the expense of traveling to the State or Regional competitions the opportunity to be evaluated by voice teachers from other colleges in the area,” said Smith. “We also wanted to give our students who plan to enter the State or Regional competition the opportunity to be evaluated before those competitions in order to improve their performances at State or Regional competitions,” she said.
There are 24 opportunities for recognition: 12 first place awards and 12 second place recognitions. As an incentive, awards are offered to the winners of each division and results are sent to the Regional and National offices. Of the 24 places, students of Evangel teachers received seven of the first and second place awards, including five students from Evangel.
Evangel students received awards and recognition in the following categories
Freshmen Men
1st place - Jordan Walker, student of Dr. Richard Honea, is a music education major from Mauriceville, Texas.
2nd place - Michael Lovette, student of Susan Smith, is a theatre/music major from Lawton, Okla.
Sophomore Women
2nd place - Brianna Goode, student of Jane Munson Berg, is a music performance and theatre double major from Hurricane, W.Va.
Senior Women
1st place - Chelsea Smith, student of Jane Munson Berg, is a music education major from Wynne, Ark.
Senior Men
1st place - Dusty Harmon, student of Dr. Richard Honea, is a music industry/music education double major from Springfield, Mo.
In addition, two of Jane Munson Berg’s high school students received awards: Amelia Parish, 2nd place; and Ryan Stoll, 1st place.
For additional information, contact Susan Smith at 417-865-2715, ext. 7327.