Three Fort Hays State University students will compete in the National Association of Teachers Singing Student Auditions after competing against student singers from Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado at the NATS West Central Region Student Voice Competition in Denver, Colo. All nine FHSU students placed in their category.
“I feel really blessed to be able to go to the national competition,” said Raeanna Peacock, Hays freshman. “The competition builds your character. It teaches you more than just winning and getting your name on a piece of paper. It’s something you can take with you for a lifetime.”
Students were asked to prepare three music pieces to sing. They were then asked to pick one song to sing and the panel of judges picked a second.
“FHSU has a long history of participation with state and regional NATS,” said Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of voice. “Since I arrived in 2005 I have had multiple semifinalists and finalists each year. Last year I have 5 place winners and an additional 5 semi-finalists.
The NATSAA competition takes place every other year in conjunction with the NATS National Conference. Three singers from each regional category will advance to a national online screening round, where entrants will submit a video of their performances for adjudication by a panel of national judges. Fourteen singers from each of the 12 categories will advance to the Semi-final round where three singers from each category will be selected to compete in the Final round.
Regional Award Winners
Raeanna Peacock placed first in the College Freshman Women’s Division. She is the student of Dr. Ivalah Allen, assistant professor of voice.
Peacock is a freshman from Salina majoring in music education and vocal performance .
“Even thogh the competition was intence everyone at the competion helped eachother improve on their skills regardless of the school the came from,” Peacock said. “I love to watch others and take sothing new home. All my colleads really supported me and helped me grow.”
Peacock is one of four FHSU students who will compete in the National NATS Student Auditions in the spring.
Holle is a senior from Hays.
Holle is one of four FHSU students who will compete in the National NATS Student Auditions in the spring.
Morgan Soldan placed third in the College Sophomore Women’s Division. She is the student of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of voice.
Soldan is a sophomore from Salina majoring in elementary education.
“I love the feeling of nervousness right before you go into the room to sing for the judges,” Soldan said. “I also love the feeling of being there in that room and placing every emotion of the characters that are in the piece you are performing for the audience. I enjoy performing at NATS because I love the gratification of doing the best you can do after spending all that time preparing and practicing.
Soldan is one of four FHSU students who will compete in the National NATS Student Auditions in the spring.
Urban is a senior from Hays majoring in music with an emphasis in vocal performance.
“The thing I enjoyed most about the NATS competition was getting to perform in the musical theater category,” Urban said. “That style of music is my passion as well as fun to perform. I have never competed in that category before, so it was nice to be able to receive some feedback in that area that I could take and use to improve my craft.”
Capra is a sophomore from Dighton.
Schumacher is a sophomore from Great Bend.
Woodmansee is a freshman from Geneseo.
Hayley Funk placed fifth in the College Senior Women’s Division. She is the student of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of voice.
Funk is a senior from Quinter majoring in vocal performance.
“I really enjoyed the master classes at NATS,” Funk said. “We learned so much from the clinicians. I definitely think other singers should participate because you get great feedback from other teachers in the region. It’s such a great learning experience.”
Jon-Luke Martin received an honorable mention in the College Sophomore Men’s Division. He is the student of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of voice.
Martin is a sophomore from Salina majoring in music education with an emphasis in vocal performance.
“I would say I most enjoyed really getting new perspectives on my voice, and being able to learn from others than Dr. Perniciaro and my classmates,” Martin said. “While I love singing for my classmates here at Fort Hays, I love to learn from new people from time to time. I also love friendly competition because it really pushes me to be the best that I can be.”