FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          April 13, 2004

NORTHWESTERN STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN NATS COMPETITION

            Ten Northwestern Oklahoma State University students participated in the Oklahoma District National Association of Teachers of Singing vocal competitions at the University of Science & Arts in Chickasha. Approximately 160 students from universities across Oklahoma competed for rankings in various categories.

     Five of Northwestern’s 10 students advanced to the final rounds and three won awards. Alek Shrader, Alva senior, placed first in the Senior Men category; Kevin Kerr, Conway Springs, Kan., freshman, placed first in the Freshman Men category; and Josh Jennings, Burlington sophomore, placed second in the Sophomore Men category.

            Esther Hougham, Carbonado, Wash., senior, and Cara Sheik, Carmen freshman, sang in the final rounds. Also competing were Kandee Hookstra, Neodesha, Kan., graduate student; Shaleen Miller, Sapulpa senior; Bryan Pope, Laverne graduate student; Ryan White, Alva senior; and Amanda Wiles, Ponca City freshman. Charla Parker was their accompanist.

            Aija Shrader, assistant professor of music and teacher of the competing students, serves as auditions chair for the Oklahoma and the Texoma region of the NATS organization and Emmy Irving, Mutual graduate student, is her assistant.

            “I really enjoy being a part of the organizing structure of the conference. The only way to make something better is by becoming involved. I am convinced that our students sing better and present themselves better because of the opportunities to compete and compare provided by the NATS organization,” Shrader said.

            “This competition does not differentiate between size of school so our students compete against singers from OU, OSU and OCU. Singers from 30 different teachers were competing. I’m very proud of all our voice students. It proves what we’ve known all along—the musical education students can get at Northwestern cannot be rivaled throughout the state.”

     CUTLINE: Participants in the Oklahoma National Association of Teachers of Singing competition includes (from left, front) Kandee Hookstra, Cara Sheik, Esther Hougham, (second row) Kevin Kerr, Alek Shrader, Josh Jennings, Emmy Irving, (back row) Ryan White, Shaleen Miller, Bryan Pope and Amanda Wiles.

-NW-

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