Department of Music students receive numerous recognitions

MURRAY, Ky. — Students from Murray State University’s Department of Music have received a number of recent recognitions for their talents. 

KY NATS: Chapter Auditions 

Several students took part in the annual auditions for the Kentucky chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) on October 23-24, 2020. The event was held virtually by Western Kentucky University. 

Students from institutions and independent studios from throughout Kentucky sent recordings of a required repertoire. Teachers of the participating students also served as judges, providing valuable written feedback for each young artist. Semi-inalists earned an average score of 90/100 or had scores of 90 or higher from two out of three judges. Finalists and winners were determined by a ranking of singers in each category by the judging panel. 

Other universities that participated included the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Asbury University, University of the Cumberlands and Kentucky Wesleyan College. 

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. The mission of the association is to advance excellence in singing through teaching, performance, scholarship, and research. 

1st Year College Treble 

Maisah Johnson (Taylorsville, Kentucky) - 1st Place (tie) - Dr. Tana Field 

Allyson Pair (Mayield, Kentucky) - 1st Place (tie) - Dr. Maribeth Crawford 

Katie Peck (Paducah, Kentucky) - semi-inalist - Dr. Christopher Mitchell 

Ryn Jenkins (Murray, Kentucky) - semi-inalist - Dr. Maribeth Crawford 

1st Year College Tenor, Baritone, Bass 

Angel Rodriguez (Hopkinsville, Kentucky) - 3rd Place - Dr. Christopher Mitchell 

Noah Padgett (Louisville, Kentucky) - semi-inalist - Dr. Christopher Mitchell 

Alex Johnson (Belleville, Illinois) - semi-inalist - Dr. Marquese Carter 

Lower College Musical Theater Treble 

Maisah Johnson (Taylorsville, Kentucky) - 3rd Place - Dr. Tana Field 

Josie Berg (Ferdinand, Indiana) - semi-inalist - Dr. Marquese Carter 

Savannah Richey (Murray, Kentucky) semi-inalist - Dr. Tana Field 

Lower College Musical Theater Tenor, Baritone, Bass 

Ben Carlson (Highland, Illinois) - semi-inalist - Dr. Christopher Mitchell 

3rd Year Treble 

Staley Clark (Madisonville, Kentucky) - 2nd Place (tie) - Dr. Maribeth Crawford 

Audri Hughes (Murray, Kentucky) - 2nd Place (tie) - Dr. Randall Black 

Upper College Musical Theater Tenor, Baritone, Bass 

Alec Wadley (Paducah, Kentucky) - 1st Place - Dr. Randall Black 

Advanced Treble 

Brittany Martin (Paducah, Kentucky) - 1st Place - Dr. Randall Black 

Kentucky MTA 

Murray State music major Alex Thome received irst place in the Kentucky Music Teachers Association (KMTA) competition in the Young Artist Performance – Piano Category. Thome will represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky at the Division Competition in early December. Thome is a student of Dr. Matthew Gianforte. KMTA is a  state afiliate of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

Clarinet Choir Invited Performance 

The Murray State University Clarinet Choir has been invited to the 2021 Clarinet Festival to be held in Dallas, Texas, in June 2021. Dr. Amy McCann is the coach of the Murray State Clarinet Choir.