N A T S

Regional Board of Control

Melissa Malde, Regional Auditions Chair

Steven Spencer, Colorado/Wyoming President + Ivalah Allen, Kansas President + Alisa Belflower, Nebraska President +

Alison Atkins + Dorothy Crum + Jennifer Edwards + Jean Sloop + Linda Starkey + David Weber + Vernon Yenne

for

2007 Regional Conference & Student Auditions

November 1-3

University of Northern Colorado-Greeley

P L E A S E R E A D O N ! ! ! !

Substantial Changes in Student Auditions Adjudication

I am delighted to report that your Regional Board of Control has enacted two extremely important measures for the 2007 Regional Conference & Student Auditions. These two changes were enacted as part of an ongoing effort to involve more members in our conferences and to deepen the sense of ownership in being a West Central Region member.

#1: For the concert finals for Classes 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16 the judging panel will consist of all NATS members in attendance.

I am sure you can already sense the resounding and positive effects that these new measures will engender. On the inside pages of this Newsletter you will find some of the adaptations that will be incurred within our former conference schedule, such as the likely necessity of holding a few sections of auditions on Thursday and/or Friday evening, and you will also find a summary of the extensive research and considerations that the Board undertook in making these decisions.

No further changes in the adjudication rules are expected for this year. For example, preliminary and semi final rounds will be scheduled and adjudicated as before, as will the finals for Classes 1-8, 14 and 15. We also expect no changes to any level of the high school auditions, Classes 1-2. However, you will want to help pass the word to your colleagues and to be sure to read the Auditions Guidelines from a fresh perspective when you receive them in late August from Regional Auditions Chair Melissa Malde.

It is our hope that you will be inspired to make especial effort to attend the 2007 conference and to encourage your colleagues and students to remain throughout the concert finals. There is so much for us all to learn in listening to these wonderful young singing artists, and this year promises to be a particularly exciting occasion with all members collaborating in the selection of the order of the winners!

We hope, too, that these changes stimulate debate and exchange among members and with your Board. Any of us will be delighted to field questions or observations that arise for you as a result of these new measures.

The Board will be putting together a brief survey for members, students and accompanists to be made available at the end of the 2007 conference to see how you experienced these changes "in action." The survey will assist us in making informed decisions on your behalf in the future.

What you think is very important to us!