Southwestern students place first in National Association of Teachers of Singing spring competition

Four Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music and Worship students were announced April 9 as the top winners in five categories of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions for the organization’s Dallas-Fort Worth chapter.

“To see four of our students earn first place honors in this very competitive region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing is a testimony to the quality of voice instruction offered by our SCMW faculty and the wonderful dedication of our student singers,” said Joseph R. Crider, dean of the school. “In a day when churches are desperate for well-trained, theologically-minded artists and musicians, we are grateful and humbled that pastors and search committees are again looking to Southwestern’s School of Church Music and Worship to find God-called men and women who can faithfully serve in the area of music and worship ministry.”

The NATS Student Auditions are a performance opportunity for middle school, high school, and college students, as well as adults, to compete in three categories while receiving feedback from adjudicated voice teachers who are members of the organization. The classical division is open for competition for all participants, while the musical theatre and commercial music divisions are limited to high school and college students, and adults. Within each of the divisions, participants are divided by voice type and length of study.

Due to adhering to COVID-19 protocols, students submitted videos of their recordings between March 20 and April 4. There were 858 videos submitted by 276 competitors representing 71 voice students. Each category was judged with a unique rubric.

Sunny Kyeongseon Choi, a soprano Doctor of Musical Arts performance and pedagogy student, placed first in the adult treble voice classical division 11.

Lachuné Boyd, a soprano Master of Music in Church Music voice performance student, placed first in the adult treble voice category in the musical theatre division 11 and commercial division 11.

Austin “Luke” Hannah, a tenor Master of Music in Church Music voice performance and pedagogy student, placed first in the lower advanced tenor, baritone, bass (TBB) voice classical division.

Jordan Locke, a tenor in the Master of Music in Worship Leadership degree program, placed first in the adult TBB voice category in the musical theater division 12. Locke was also awarded the Anne Weeks Jackson Outstanding Vocalist, the DFW area chapter award in the musical theater.

“The NATS Student Auditions offer an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their vocal abilities in a variety of styles in a professional organization as they are preparing for careers in ministry, education, and the concert stage,” said Ben C. Caston Jr., professor of voice and chairman of performance and pedagogy in the SCMW. “I am very proud of the work they have done this year and how they represent the School of Church Music and Worship.”

Boyd, Hannah, and Locke are students of Caston while Choi is a student of Heather Hawk, an adjunct professor of voice in the SCMW and past president of the DFW chapter of NATS. 

Boyd said participating in the competition allowed her to reflect on the skills she has learned.

“For the past year I’ve worked as a vocal coach in commercial music and released personal recordings,” Boyd explained. “Competing in NATS symbolizes my growth as a vocalist and a level of proficiency I have acquired.”

Hannah observed the experience confirmed God’s calling in music ministry.

“Participating in the NATS competition is wonderful experience for a student who is trying to grow in performance and pedagogy but succeeding in the competition brings a sense of peace knowing that God is leading in this area of my life,” Hannah said. “Something I have learned from Dr. Joseph Crider’s class Theology for Pedagogy is music communicates to people in a creative way which impacts those who hear it. To compete in a contest with over 200 competitors and hear that I have communicated well with the voice God has given me is very encouraging and pushes me to strive for excellence in my craft and in the faith I have in Jesus Christ.”