Ouachita Stories

Eight Ouachita Baptist University students were named finalists at the 38^th annual Southern Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference held at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., earlier this month.

“We choose to participate in the Southern Region NATS conference and auditions because it is one of the most viable education opportunities available for young singers in our region,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of OBU’s vocal studies program and professor of music. “I am most proud of the fact that Ouachita students realize the incredible opportunity that exists for continued enlightenment and development of their understanding of the singing art.”

More than 300 students from colleges and universities throughout Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana participated in the competition, including 40 Ouachita students. At the conference, students auditioned in classical or music theatre divisions and have the opportunity to attend recitals, master classes and professional workshops and presentations.

“The importance of this event is truly the experience that is gained for each performer,” said Victoria Clark, a sophomore from Bonnerdale, Ark. Clark earned second place in the sophomore women division and was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

“When I heard I was a finalist, I was extremely excited and felt extremely blessed,” Clark added.  “Finals provide an opportunity to truly focus on the performance and make the most of it. With each performance I gave, I truly focused on giving it to the glory of God.”

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

Arkadelphia, Ark.—Caitlin Secrest, a senior vocal performance student of Glenda and Jon Secrest, earned second place in the senior women division. Secrest was also a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

Bonnerdale, Ark.—Victoria Clark, a sophomore choral music education student of Robin Williams, placed second in the sophomore women division. Clark was also a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Crossett, Ark.—Seth Russell, a sophomore vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, placed third in the sophomore men division.

DeSoto, Texas—Gemma Guiomard, a senior musical theatre and studio art student of Maggie Garrett, earned fourth place in the upper music theatre division.

Frisco, Texas—Alexis Morgan, a freshman choral music education student of Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the freshman women division. Morgan was also a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Glen Carbon, Ill.—Joel Rogier, a senior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in both the senior men division and the upper music theatre divisions.

Little Rock, Ark.—Aaron Jones, a freshman choral music education student of John Briggs, earned fourth place in the freshman men division.

Nixa, Mo.—Josh Wayne, a junior choral music education student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the junior men division. Wayne was also a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

Other Ouachita students named NATS semifinalists, in order of hometown, include:

Bella Vista, Ark.—Sarah Talley, a junior vocal performance student of John Briggs, was a semifinalist in the junior women division.

Benton, Ark.—Mark Burbank, a freshman musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Bryant, Ark.—Angela Morgan, a sophomore musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest, was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Dallas, Texas—Ben Stidham, a junior musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest, was a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

Flower Mound, Texas—Cami Willis, a senior musical theatre and church media/production arts student of Robin Williams, was a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

Fort Worth, Texas—Jillian Turner, a junior vocal performance and music student of Glenda Secrest, was a semifinalist in the junior women and upper music theatre divisions.

Garland, Texas—DeCarl Jones, a senior musical theatre student of David Stanley, was a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

Grand Prairie, Texas—Todd McNeel, a junior mass communications and speech communication student of David Stanley, was a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

Greenwood, Ark.—Garrett Sayers, a sophomore musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest, was a semifinalist in the sophomore men division.

Hot Springs, Ark.—Morgan Chunn, a junior choral music education student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semifinalist in the junior women division.

Justin, Texas—Ashley Bundy, a senior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the senior women division and the upper music theatre division.

McKinney, Texas—Lizzie Shelby, a freshman vocal performance student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semifinalist in the freshman women division.

North Little Rock, Ark.—Kenderick Scorza, a sophomore musical theatre student of Robin Williams, was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Rogers, Ark.—John Doss, a junior music theory and composition student of David Stanley, was a semifinalist in the junior men division. Kyle Osmon, a sophomore musical theatre student of Maggie Garrett, was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Rudy, Ark.—Wes Savage, a freshman musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Texarkana, Texas—Tara Clem, a sophomore musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Tyler, Texas—Hannah Bauman, a freshman worship arts student of David Stanley, was a semifinalist in the freshman women division and the lower music theatre division.

Ouachita students were accompanied by the following OBU staff accompanists: Susan Monroe, John Briggs and Phyllis Walker.

The OBU vocal faculty who worked with Ouachita students to prepare for this conference include: John Briggs, adjunct professor of music; Dr. Maggie Garrett, assistant professor of music; Suzetta Glenn, lecturer of music; Dr. Glenda Secrest, professor of music; Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of the vocal studies program and professor of music; David Stanley, instructor of music; and Robin Williams, vocal music lecturer.

For more information about NATS or Ouachita’s vocal studies program, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at [email protected] or (870) 245-5134.

By Taylor Tomlinson