Missouri State University students representing the Department of Music’s voice program took several honors during the Central Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (CRNATS) competition Oct. 26-28 at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.

During the competition, 21 of the students advanced to the national preliminary round, according to professor of music Dr. Chris Thompson.

In addition to Thompson, other MSU faculty accompanying the students to the competition were Dr. Carol Chapman, Dr. Paula Patterson, Dr. Todd Payne, Dr. Perry Mears and artist-in-residence Mr. Brandon Russell.

Rigorous competition brings national recognition

Thompson described the competition process as rigorous and exhausting, with typically over 13,000 singers competing in the regional levels alone.

But MSU’s success rates make the process well worth the effort.

MSU has had multiple winners at the national level and three winners at the 2023 National Competition in San Diego, California, according to Thompson.

“We have developed not just national recognition but a national reputation,” Thompson said.

That reputation includes not only an outstanding level of excellence but also a notable camaraderie among students and faculty.

“Again and again, we hear comments from our colleagues in our region about the level of artistry, collegial support and department spirit,” Thompson said. “We were approached by colleagues from numerous universities and conservatories in our region expressing joy at our students’ success and faculty camaraderie.”

“People in our region and at the national level recognize MSU as a place where great things happen, students succeed and faculty are noted for their investment in student learning and success,” Thompson added.

Departmental and university support essential to success

Thompson acknowledged the role departmental and university support contribute to the program’s success.

“We are extremely grateful for our departmental support and, of course, we have been thankful for RCASH support and funding for our national finalists,” Thompson said. “We have had multiple finalists in recent years who have been supported by the Dean’s office, five winners in the last two years alone.”

“All of this is possible, of course, because our department and our college invest in our students. We couldn’t be more grateful,” Thompson said.

“Our heartfelt thanks to our department and department head, Dr. Paula Patterson, and to Dean Wahl, who have been so incredibly supportive at so many levels. Go BEARS!”

Learn more about opportunities in music

MSU CRNATS 2023 Winners

(Listed alphabetically by last name)

Wade Bogart

2nd place CL6B TBB
Dr. Todd Payne, instructor

Preetish Chakraborty

1st place CL6B TBB
Mr. Brandon Russell, instructor

Addison Collins

2nd place CL5B Treble
Dr. Carol Chapman, instructor

Emma Gulovsen

2nd place CL72 Treble
Dr. Carol Chapman, instructor

Samari Johnson

1st place MT 8 TBB
1st place CM8 TBB
Mr. Brandon Russell, instructor

Matthew Juhlin

1st place CL8B TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Theron LePage

3rd place CL8A TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

JB Love

3rd place CL6A TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Claire Marshall

1st place MT 71 Treble
1st place CM7 Treble
Dr. Ann Marie Daehn, instructor

Ryan McIntosh

Honorable Mention CL6A TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Zoe Meier

1st place CL71 Treble
Dr. Ann Marie Daehn, instructor

Tanner Munson

1st place MT 10 TBB
1st place CM10 TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Emily Owings

1st place CL9 Treble
Dr. Todd Payne, instructor

Alexandra Paige

3rd place CL5A Treble
Dr. Carol Chapman, instructor

Joe Shook

Honorable Mention CL6B TBB
Dr. Todd Payne, instructor

Brendan Sienko

2nd place CL10 TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Lexi Smith

1st place CL72 Treble
Dr. Todd Payne, instructor

Connor Stockam

Honorable Mention CL6B TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Warren Swedberg

2nd place MT 6B TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Jan Veljak

1st place CL10 TBB
Dr. Chris Thompson, instructor

Veronika Yerina

Honorable Mention CL5A Treble
Dr. Carol Chapman, instructor

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Photos provided by Dr. Chris Thompson.