NATS Competition Audition

Students that competed in the NATS Musical Theater Division:

From left to right. Top row: Josiah Mullins. 2nd Row:

James Zeller, Josh Whisler. 3rd Row: Caroline Jackson, 

Haly Johnson, Madeline Clem. 4th Row: Sierra Johnson,

 Madeline Cherrito.

On Saturday, October 31, a large group of Applied Voice students from College of the Ozarks participated in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Student Auditions for the Ozark region at MSU. According to the NATS website, “NATS is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world,” and their mission is “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, both for the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the talented.” Student Auditions is one of NATS’s most widely recognized events. At the auditions, students sing multiple pieces they have prepared for a panel of teachers who provide comments and score the students. The scores are compared to determine first, second, and third place winners in various divisions. The winners receive cash prizes, and the first place winners perform in a winners’ recital at the end of the day. This year, College of the Ozarks had more participation in the auditions than ever before. Eight students sang for the Music Theater auditions in the morning and six students sang for the Classical auditions in the afternoon. Students represented the voice studios of Ms. Jennifer Wolcott, Mrs. Kristin Cartwright, Mr. Gregg Busch, and Dr. John Cornish. Cartwright, Busch, and Cornish participated in logistical roles and as judges at the auditions. Three C of O students placed in the competition. Jordan Hake, a sophomore music major, placed third in the Lower College Men division of the Classical auditions. Madeline Cherrito, a senior musical theater and studio art major, placed third in the Upper College Music Theater Men and Women division. Josh Whisler, a senior musical theater major, became the first student to ever place first in the Upper College divisions for both the Classical and Music Theater auditions in the same day. At the conclusion of the day, Whisler performed “Her Face” from Carnival and “Warm as the Autumn Light” from The Ballad of Baby Doe in the winners’ recital. The students represented the College of the Ozarks Music Department excellently with their performances. The Department is very proud of these students’ accomplishments, and especially proud of Josh Whisler for his outstanding achievement.

Josh Whisler placed first in the Upper College divisions
for both the Classical and Music Theater.

Chorale Fall Concerts

On Sunday, October 25, and Wednesday, October 28, the College of the Ozarks Chorale performed their fall concert, “Coming Home,” under the direction of Dr. Bruce Gerlach. The first of the two performances took place in Thorncrown Chapel, an architecturally award winning glass chapel in the woods near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Tourists visiting the chapel in the afternoon were delighted to find it full of the sounds of a choral ensemble performing pieces such as Vittoria’s “Jesu Dulcis,” Stephen Paulus’ “Pilgrim’s Hymn,” and many other classic and new choral works. The concert was heavy on sacred music, so the chapel provided a beautiful and appropriate space for a time of worship. The Chorale repeated the same program the following Wednesday in the Newman Recital Hall of the Gittinger Music Building on campus. The Chorale’s performance displayed their hard work from this semester and delighted an audience of friends and family. The title of the concert, “Coming Home,” related to the theme of coming to a place of peace, joy and rest that is ultimately found in Jesus Christ. This theme ran throughout the pieces in the concert, and the Chorale and audience joined together in worship as they meditated on this theme. The Chorale is now looking forward to their performance at the Keeter Center’s Yuletide Feast next month.

We have posted a video of the "Coming Home" Concert on our YouTube Channel. Click the HERE to watch it.

The chorale performs, not only on campus, but they also tour to surrounding areas and even abroad.

Chorale is an auditioned choir. All students are encouraged to try out every semester.

Dr. Gerlach conducts The College of the Ozarks Chorale during the"Coming Home" concert.

Dr. Gerlach arranges many of the works sung by the chorale.

Students watch Dr. Gerlach as he cues their entrance.

College of the Ozarks MTNA Chapter Hosts Fall Piano Festival

 

 

On October 24, the College of the Ozarks Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) was pleased to host its annual Fall Piano Festival. MTNA is a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the study of music and providing support for professional teachers. At the festival, twenty-six young students gathered on Saturday morning at the Gittinger Music Building. Each performed two contrasting pieces for a panel of three judges. Dr. Christian and piano majors Kaylen Draschil and Laura Berthold judged half of the participants, while piano majors Loran Wiley, Rebekah Arendt, and Ryan Moore judged the other half. The judges selected students to perform in the afternoon honors recital, which was followed by a reception. Every participant received a certificate. The festival was a wonderful opportunity for both students and judges. Rebekah Arendt, who plans on opening her own piano studio post-graduation, said “I realized the students had many common errors, and after the MTNA festival I plan on stressing these areas to my students as well as applying them to myself.”





Sawyer Boldman was chose to play Bach's Minuet in G in the Piano Festival Recital.

Students played a variety of genres. Andrew Roberts played both

Tarantella, written by Franz Liszt, and Screen Door Rag, by Glen Shannon.

Loran Wiley, President of the MTNA College of the Ozarks Chapter, congratulated and presented a certificate to all
of the participants in the Piano Festival.



MTNA participants gathered to congratulate performers after recital.

Carver Boldman played Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag in the MTNA Recital.



Judges from MTNA College of the Ozarks Chapter. Left to right: Dr. Clara Christian, Kaylen Draschil, Loran Wiley, president, Rebekah Arendt, vice president, Laura Berthold, treasurer, Ryan Moore