Five Una Vocalists Chosen For Top Awards At District Competition

Feb. 22, 2013

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - Five vocal music students from the University of North Alabama returned from last week's National Association of Teachers and Singers (NATS) District Vocal Competition with first, second or third place awards. The University of Alabama hosted the competition for the Southeastern region Feb. 15 and 16. UNA entered 16 vocalists in the competition. Of these, three left with first place, one with second place and one with third place category awards. At the competition, students from universities across the state were divided into sections based on gender and level of expertise, according to Dr. Terrance Brown, assistant professor of voice at UNA. Each section underwent two rounds of judging by NATS trained vocalists. In the first round, the groups of about 40 student vocalists were narrowed down to the top five or six. The reduced groups were further narrowed down in the final round to the top three or four winners, who were announced at the final concert on Feb. 16. A total of 397 singers competed this year. "NATS is easily the most prestigious system of competition for developing young singers statewide," said Dr. David McCullough, chair of the UNA Department of Music and Theatre. UNA had five vocalist winners of the 16 who entered: Ethan Lolley, of Haleyville, took first place in the Second Year Musical Theater Men category. He was instructed by Dr. Tiffany Bostic-Brown and accompanied by Karen Cantrell. Anne-Marie Hall, of Russellville, took third place in the Fourth Year Musical Theater Women category. She was instructed by Gene-Anne Gifford and accompanied by Kristie Smith. Gabrielle Fuqua, of Florence, took first place in the First Year Musical Theater Women category. She was instructed by Dr. Tiffany Bostic-Brown and accompanied by Karen Cantrell. Charles Tanner King, of Florence, took first place in the First Year Musical Theater Men category. He was instructed by Dr. Terrance Brown and accompanied by Kristie Smith. Jennifer Merry, of Florence, took second place in the Advanced College Women category. She was instructed by Dr. Tiffany Bostic-Brown and accompanied by Karen Cantrell. For more information, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 256-765-4375.