Two Northwestern Oklahoma State University students competed recently against hundreds of student singers from New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma in the annual National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Region Conference and Student Audition competition in Canyon, Texas.

Northwestern music majors Naicee Gugelmeyer, a senior from Hardtner, Kansas, and Chance Mayhall, a junior from Ponca City, attended the auditions held at West Texas A&M University. The event began with a preliminary round where students sang for a panel of judges. Finalists performed again for everyone present.

To sing in the NATS competition, a student must study with a current member of NATS. Lawana Newell, Northwestern's director of vocal studies who accompanied the students to the event, is a member of NATS.

NATS celebrates the art of singing through a series of competitions and programs that are designed to showcase the talented singers and performers who are soon to be rising stars in the profession.

Mayhall and Gugelmeyer performed four pieces of music, 12 minutes in length. The music pieces had to be a composite of English and foreign language.

Northwestern students have done well at this competition in the past, and this year Mayhall made it to the semifinal round.

"I'm extremely pleased with their performance and with the experience that they gained from these auditions," said Newell. "It was a wonderful experience for our students."

Mayhall treasures the experiences he received from attending the NATS competition.

"NATS is such a treat to get to attend let alone compete at," Mayhall said. "You get to hear the caliber of classically trained singers your age and make professional connections. We sing in front of three judges, and they score us and give us great feedback, which is invaluable to our growth as young musicians."

Gugelmeyer said this was a great event, and she enjoyed getting feedback from the judges.

"NATS is an amazing opportunity for music students simply because of the many opportunities to listen to a variety of performances," Gugelmeyer said. "My favorite part is getting to listen to other people in my division and being able to take home ideas to add to my own performances."

Mayhall and Gugelmeyer are preparing to present their individual recitals, both on Sunday, Dec. 4. Mayhall will present a junior recital, accompanied by Susan Duell, in Fine Arts room 200 at 2 p.m. Gugelmeyer will present her senior recital at the First United Methodist Church in Alva at 4 p.m. Both recitals are open to the public.

For more information on vocal studies at Northwestern, contact Newell at 580-327-8689 or [email protected].