Anderson University

The South Carolina chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) held Spring Auditions at the University of South Carolina on Friday, March 11, 2011. Students of teachers who are NATS members from universities and colleges in SC participated in the adjudications.

Several Anderson University voice students fared well in this year’s auditions and advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional auditions:

• Octavia Hall was the winner in the Junior College Women category. Miss Hall is a past winner at the state level, winning in both her Freshman and Sophomore years.
• Lindley Key was the winner in the Freshman/Sophomore Musical Theater College Women.

Several other students received superior ratings, thus advancing to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Auditions:

• Maggie Hill, College Senior Women (Classical) and Junior/Senior Musical Theater College Women
• Kayla Parris, College Sophomore Women (Classical)

All four singers are students of Deedy Francis, Associate Professor of Music at AU. Of her students’ accomplishments, Francis stated, “I am proud of our students’ success at NATS, and in particular Miss Hall, having won her category three consecutive years. That we consistently have winners and regional qualifiers is evidence of our excellent music program and tells the prospective student that AU is a great school for vocal study.”

These students will sing at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Auditions at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia, on April 1-2, 2011, competing against students from colleges and universities in SC, NC, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.

Anderson University is a comprehensive university affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention offering bachelors and masters degrees. Anderson is ranked in the Top Tier (top 21) of colleges and universities in the South, and one of 68 “Up and Coming” schools to watch in America,” by U. S. News & World Report. It is the #1 “Up and Coming” school in The South according to that publication.  Anderson has also been named one of “Americas 100 Best College Buys,” Located in The Upstate region of South Carolina near the foothills of the Appalachians, Anderson University features a rigorous education in a supportive Christian environment.