Department of Music hosts regional voice competition

MURRAY, Ky. – The Department of Music at Murray State University served as host site for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Mid-South Region Student Auditions. Nearly 200 students, along with over 50 voice teachers and pianists, attended the event from March 10–11 on Murray State’s campus. 

Founded in 1944, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 7,000 members in the United States, Canada and more than 35 other countries. Whether working in independent studios, community schools, elementary and secondary schools, or higher education, NATS members represent the diversity of today’s music landscape, teaching in all vocal styles. NATS is divided into 15 regions, with the mid-south region covering participating programs in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Students who place in their category are eligible for the National Student Auditions and can submit a video audition for the preliminary round at the national level. After that, semi finalists and finalists are adjudicated virtually. Once finalists are selected and notified, they are eligible to compete in the final round in San Diego, California on July 7–9, 2023. 

Murray State students who placed in their respective competitions include:

Freshmen/Sophomore Commercial Music (online)

• 1st Place: Joshua Ragle from Marietta, Illinois, student of Dr. Tana Field

Freshmen Classical Treble

• 1st Place: Hannah Radican from O’Fallon, Missouri, student of Dr. Tana Field

Sophomore Classical TBB (tenor/baritone/bass)

• 1st Place: Tony Washington from Maryland Heights, Missouri, student of Dr. Christopher Mitchell

Freshmen/Sophomore Musical Theatre TBB (tenor/baritone/bass)

National Student Auditions Eligible:

• Zacharie Lamb from Mayfield, Kentucky, student of Dr. Christopher Mitchell

• Camden Rollston from Symsonia, Kentucky, student of Dr. Maribeth Crawford

Junior Classical Treble

National Student Auditions Eligible: 

• Allyson Pair from Mayfield, Kentucky, student of Dr. Maribeth Crawford

Junior Classical TBB (tenor/baritone/bass)

• 1st Place: Noah Padgett from Louisville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Christopher Mitchell

National Student Auditions Eligible:

• Angel Rodriguez from Murray, Kentucky, student of Dr. Christopher Mitchell

Senior Classical TBB (tenor/baritone/bass)

• 1st Place: Traicoryon West from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Tana Field

Senior American Negro Spiritual All Voices

• 1st Place: Traicoryon West from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Tana Field

Students who were semifinalists include:

Freshmen/Sophomore Musical Theatre Treble:

• Kristina Belt from Symsonia, Kentucky, student of Dr. Maribeth Crawford

• Jamie Lemay from Murray, Kentucky, student of Dr. Maribeth Crawford

Sophomore Classical Treble

• Kit Bickers from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Christopher Mitchell

Junior Classical Treble:

• Ryn Jenkins from Murray, Kentucky, student of Dr. Maribeth Crawford

• Maisah Johnson from Taylorsville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Tana Field

• Alchemy Mullen from Russellville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Tana Field

• Katie Bohannon from Murray, Kentucky, student of Dr. Christopher Mitchell

Junior/Senior Musical Theatre Treble

• Kat Hodge from Shelbyville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Maribeth Crawford

• Maisah Johnson from Taylorsville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Tana Field

• Alchemy Mullen from Russellville, Kentucky, student of Dr. Tana Field

For more information on the Murray State University Department of Music please visit murraystate.edu/music.