Ouachita Stories

Twelve Ouachita Baptist University students were named finalists at the annual Southern Region Arkansas National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions while Phyllis Walker, OBU staff accompanist, received the 2009 James Ronald Brothers Distinguished Achievement in Accompanying Award.

Walker received the award for outstanding service to the university and the region in general.  Walker has been involved with NATS for 10 years accompanying students during their auditions.

“I would say that the award is a great affirmation to me,” Walker said. “My desire is to ‘do all things unto the Lord’ and thereby honor the One who has given me musical talent, the opportunity to develop this talent and the privilege to exercise it here at OBU.”

Of the 12 student finalists, one was named a finalist in two categories while four others were also named semi-finalists in various categories. There were also 12 students named semi-finalists with one named a semi-finalist in two categories.

“I am very pleased for the students,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music. “It is a direct reflection on their talent as well as their dedication to the art of singing. Practice is the key element to their success. My wife and I like the quote that says, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.’”

There were 375 students from colleges in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi involved in the NATS auditions, held at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.

“The way NATS can help people who want to perform for a living is to get used to competition,” said Kyle Huey, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas. “NATS is a safe environment to compete and not risk your personal well being for a job or a paycheck.”

Participating students also had the opportunity to hear a world class recital by baritone Donnie Ray Albert, observe a master teacher and watch other student finalists perform.

“Any time you get to have an audition you are a better performer than when you walked through the door the first time,” said Jacob Watson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark. “I encourage every performer to give it a chance at least once."

The following students were NATS finalists, in order of hometown:

Arkadelphia, Ark.—Caitlin Secrest, an Arkadelphia High School student of Glenda and Jon Secrest, earned second place in the high school musical theatre division and was a semi-finalist in the high school women division.

Arlington, Texas—Xavier Lagunas, a sophomore musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest, earned fourth place in the sophomore men division and was a semi-finalist in the lower musical theatre division.

El Dorado, Ark.—Breanna Holder, a freshman church music student of Mary Worthen, earned third place in the freshman women division.

Forney, Texas—Samantha Parrish, a senior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned fourth place in the senior women division and was a semi-finalist in the upper musical theatre division.

Grapevine, Texas—Kyle Huey, a senior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the upper musical theatre division.

Little Rock, Ark.—Chris Straw, a senior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned third place in the younger advanced men division and was a semi-finalist in the upper musical theatre division.

Memphis, Tenn.—Elisabeth Hipp, a junior vocal performance student of Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the junior women division.

Overland Park, Kan.—James Wood, a freshman church music student of Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the freshman men division.

Spotsylvania, Va.—Sean Wilson, a senior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned third place in the senior men division.

Sungai Petani, Malaysia—John Tneoh, a freshman vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the freshmen men division.

Tyler, Texas—Grace Johnson, a junior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the sophomore women division.

Wynne, Ark.—Jacob Watson, a junior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned first place in the upper musical theatre division and second place in the junior men division.

The following students also qualified as NATS semi-finalists, in order of hometown:

Conway, Ark.—Leslyn Ichter, a senior choral music education student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the upper musical theatre division.

Dalworthington Gardens, Texas—Andrew Miller, a junior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the junior men and upper musical theatre divisions.

Forney, Texas—Hannah Chapman, a senior vocal performance student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the senior women division.

Glenwood, Ark.—Lindsey Forga, a senior mass communications and musical theatre student of Marty Worthen, was a semi-finalist in the upper musical theatre division.

Grandview, Texas—Hannah Midkiff, a freshman musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the lower musical theatre division.

Grapevine, Texas—Shay Michael, a freshman musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the lower musical theatre division.

Jacksonville, Ark.—Josiah Wheeler, a junior choral music education student of Steve Garner, was a semi-finalist in the junior men division.

Jonesboro, Ark.—Haley Broadaway, a senior musical theatre student of Maggie Garret, was a semi-finalist in the upper musical theatre division.

Roanoke, Texas—Rebekah Anthony, a freshman church music student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Saginaw, Mich.—Hannah Garner, a freshman vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Sanger, Texas—Alyssa Reynolds, a freshman vocal performance student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Sugar Land, Texas—Alexis Pace, a freshman musical theatre student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the lower musical theatre division.

By Rebecca Stone