Students excel at state vocal competition

Fourteen Goshen College voice students participated in the Indiana state auditions for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), held at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, on Saturday, Nov. 2 .

Eight students placed in their vocal categories, including:

First place:

• Stephen Lowe, a junior music and secondary education major from Dayton, Virginia: in the third-year university, Tenor/Bass, Classical category.

Second place:

• Isaac Harper, a first-year music and theater major from Sturgis, Michigan: in the  first-year university, Tenor/Bass, Classical category.
• Gussie Nafziger, a first-year music and theater major from Weyers Cave, Virginia: in the first-year university, Treble, Classical category.
• Kailey Rice, a junior music and sign language interpreting major from Frisco, Texas: in the third-year university, Treble, Classical category.
• Bek Zehr, a junior music major from Carthage, New York: in the third-year university, Treble, Classical category.

Third place:

• Harrison Gingerich, a junior music and sustainable food systems major from Hubbard, Oregon: in the third year university, Tenor/Bass, Classical category.
• Lisa Rosado Rivera, a junior music and theater major from San Juan, Puerto Rico: in the third-year university, Treble, Classical category.
• Xan Seymour, a junior music and secondary education major from Orrville, Ohio: in the third-year university, Tenor/Bass, Classical category.

“We, as voice teachers, are so proud of the work that our students (and accompanists) put in,” said Scott Hochstetler, professor of music. “This was our first time taking students from all class years, with some competing in both classical and musical theater categories and learning and memorizing up to eight songs. Everyone represented Goshen College very well, and it’s nice to have the excellence of our vocal program recognized.”

Accompanying the students were Luke Norell, Matthew Hill and Deanna Minnick. Students competed alongside students from universities across the state, including Ball State, Indiana Wesleyan, DePauw, Taylor and others. Students received scores and constructive comments from the judges to help them in their vocal development.

Vocal instructors Scott Hochstetler, Sandy Hill and Rebecca Dengler Kaufman served alongside other Indiana voice teachers as judges for the annual vocal competition.