W Singers Shine at Regional Competition
Three Mississippi University for Women vocal music students advanced in the highly competitive Regional Student Auditions held by the Southern Regional Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing November 7-9 at Mississippi College. The event hosted 65 singing teachers and 305 student competition entries from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
“Many of our W students have either won prizes in finals, qualified for NATS National Student Auditions or advanced to semifinals in every single regional NATS conference for the past three years. Their continued success in such a competitive endeavor attests to the high quality of vocal instruction they receive here at The W, as well as to the excellence of the music department as a whole,” said Dr. Susan Hurley, associate professor of voice at The W.
Music education major Jerry Brown, a tenor, won first place in Non-Traditional Classical, All Voices. Brown performed in the Finals Concert, which was open to the public, on Saturday Nov. 10. He sang “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” an art song by Margaret Bonds, with W faculty member Dr. William Reber collaborating on the piano. Music education major Lisa Smith, a soprano, advanced to the regional semifinals in Lower College Musical Theatre Trebles. Music education major Zachariah Harden, a tenor, placed in the top five in Lower College Musical Theatre TBBs and advances to the National Student Auditions next spring
Smith, Harden and Brown are all voice students of Hurley.
Participating students also attended presentations, masterclasses and recitals throughout the three-day conference. In addition to student involvement, Hurley was also selected via peer review to perform in the NATS member teachers’ recital during the conference.
NATS is the largest professional association of singing teachers in the world. Founded in 1944, NATS members include faculty in higher education, elementary and secondary schools and teachers at independent music studios, training singers in classical, musical theatre and contemporary singing styles. NATS offers workshops, intern programs, conferences and masterclasses that provide ongoing professional development to members worldwide.
The Department of Music at The W is the first in Mississippi to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1935. It fosters a vibrant community where students can major in music therapy, music education, music composition and performance. Its students and alumni are making significant contributions as educators, therapists and independent musicians globally, continuing a tradition of excellence.