Wooster Voice Students Win Awards at Statewide NATS Auditions

Four music majors earn honors at National Association of Teachers of Singing competition

WOOSTER, Ohio - Four voice students from The College of Wooster were among the winners at the statewide competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), held April 12 at Bowling Green State University. Representing Wooster were Jennifer Barnes, Eva Hendrix-Shovlin, Janelle Lentz, and Andrew LeVan. Each is a student of David Templeton, visiting instructor of voice, who accompanied the group to the event. All four entrants were required to perform three works selected from the operatic or concert song repertory.

Barnes, a soprano and a first-year student from Conroe, Texas, performed "Se tu m'ami, se tu sospiri" by Pergolesi-Parisotti, "Love in the Dictionary" by Dougherty, and "Après un Reve" by Fauré. Her performance, which was awarded second place in the category "Freshman Women," was cited by the judges as exhibiting "excellent stage presence," "lovely and expressive connection with [the] text," and "great identity and personal nuance." Barnes is a member of the Wooster Chorus.

Hendrix-Shovlin, a soprano and a first-year student from Baltimore, Md., was fourth in the category "Freshman Women." Her performance included "The Crucifixion" by Barber, as well as the Fauré and Pergolsi works. The judges took note of her "lovely, clear ringing tone," "excellent breath management," and "the excellence of [her] preparation and presentation." Hendrix-Shovlin is a member of the Wooster Symphony Orchestra and the Wooster Chorus.

Lentz, a sophomore music major and a mezzo-soprano from Wooster, was the second-place winner in the category "Sophomore Women." She sang "Care Selve" by Handel, "Heart, we will forget him" by Copland, and "Cruda Sorte!...Gia so per practica" by Rossini. The judges praised her "beautiful quality, especially as you sing higher," her "expressive, clear diction," and her "easy delivery" and musicianship. Lentz is a member of the Wooster Chorus.

LeVan, a sophomore music major and a baritone from Dublin, Ohio, was awarded fourth place in the category "Sophomore Men." He sang "Sento nel core" by Scarlatti, "Money, O!" by Head and "Vainement, ma bien-aimee" by Lalo. LeVan is a member of the Wooster Symphony Orchestra and the Wooster Chorus.

The students were accompanied by Toni Arnold Shreve, music department accompanist and director of the Wooster Singers.

According to Templeton, a leading baritone with Opera Columbus and other professional companies who has been teaching voice at Wooster since 2006, "Wooster's students were exemplary in delivering noteworthy performances against formidable competition from some of the largest universities and conservatories in the state. Only three institutions placed more winners than we did and it was wonderful to see the College and our students earning acclaim at this statewide forum."

The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is the largest association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 6,500 members in the United States, Canada, and 25 other countries. It was founded in 1944, "to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the teaching of singing and to promote vocal education and research at all levels." Throughout its history, its national and regional auditions have provided an important springboard for the careers of aspiring professionals.