Ouachita Stories

Seven Ouachita Baptist University students were named finalists and 14 others were named semi-finalists last weekend in the Arkansas state auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), held at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

“The National Association of Teachers of Singing is an organization whose goal is to promote elite singing and quality teaching,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of OBU’s vocal studies program and professor of music. “It assists them in developing their artistry, their skill set and confidence for performing and more fully informs them of the requirements for elite vocalism.”

“To get jobs in the performing world, you have to audition and you have to do it frequently,” said Rachel Harris, who placed first in the upper musical theatre division. “Knowing how to audition well is key to succeeding in the world of performance.”

“The results show that OBU continues to enjoy success in terms of educating and training voice principals who are pursuing professional music degrees in the Division of Music,” Secrest said.

Staff accompanists John Briggs, Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker accompanied Ouachita’s students on piano for the auditions.
 

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

Arlington, Texas—Xavier Lagunas, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned second place in the senior men division and fourth place in the upper music theatre division.

Garland, Texas—Meredith Martin, a sophomore choral music education and vocal performance student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned second place in the sophomore women division and third place in the lower music theatre division.

Glen Carbon, Ill.—Joel Rogier, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned second place in the sophomore men division. Rogier was also a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Grapevine, Texas—Shay Michael, a senior music theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned third place in the upper music theatre division.

Springdale, Ark.—Rachel Harris, a senior musical theatre and vocal performance student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned first place in the upper music theatre division. Harris was also a semi-finalist in the senior women division.

Sungai Petani, Malaysia—John Tneoh, a junior vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned third place in the junior men division.

White Hall, Ark.—Bethany Gere, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned second place in the freshman women division and second place in the lower music theatre division.

 

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

Arkadelphia, Ark.­—Caitlin Secrest, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest and Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women and the lower music theatre divisions.

Bella Vista, Ark.—Josh Wayne, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division.

Carrollton, Texas—Christina Moon, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Fairmont, Neb.—Betsy Wilson, a junior musical theatre student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the junior women and the upper music theatre divisions.

Fort Worth, Texas—Jillian Turner, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women and the lower music theatre divisions.

Hot Springs, Ark.—Connor Goad, a freshman musical theatre student of Robin Williams, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division. Kassie Johnsen, a sophomore music theory/composition student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women division.

Justin, Texas—Ashley Bundy, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women division.

Roanoke, Texas—Bekah Anthony, a junior vocal performance student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the junior women division.

Rogers, Ark.—Mitchell Yost, a freshman vocal performance student of John Briggs, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division.

Rowlett, Texas—Nicole Mattson, a sophomore musical theatre student of Robin Williams, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Sanger, Texas—Alyssa Reynolds, a junior music student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division.

Sherwood, Ark.—Victoria Mantooth, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women division.

Springdale, Ark.—Brooke Brackett, a sophomore musical theatre student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

By Lara Overman