Music Students Take Honors in State Competition

Nine OBU music students placed in the finals of the statewide National Association of Teachers of Singing conference and competition on Saturday, April 9, with five OBU students earning top honors in the event.

Colleges and universities from across Oklahoma sent 125 students and 25 teachers to participate in the conference and competition at East Central University in Ada.

Fifteen current OBU students sang in the preliminary rounds, with nine advancing to the finals. Five of the nine finalists took top honors. They included Sarah Stephens, from the studio of Dr. Jennifer McQuade, who placed second in Sophomore Women's Division; Ashlynn Streck, from the studio of Jennifer McQuade, who placed third in the Sophomore Women's Division; Stephanie Marchbanks, from the studio of Dr. Louima Lilite, who place third in the Junior Women's Division; Sean Muzljakovich, from the studio of Dr. Mark McQuade, who placed second in the Junior Men's Division; and Casey Flynt, from the studio of Mark McQuade, who placed second in the Senior Men's Division.

Other finalists included Courtney Bryant, Kaitlin Slothower and Robert Vaughn from the studio of Lilite, and Elizabeth Youngblood from the studio of Mark McQuade.

OBU was represented by Dr. Don Clark, professor emeritus of music; Lilite, assistant professor of music; Jennifer McQuade, assistant professor of music; and Mark McQuade, assistant professor of music and coordinator of vocal studies.

The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the vocal art and particularly the teaching of that art. The United States is divided into 10 regions. The Texoma region, of which Oklahoma is a part, traditionally is one of the strongest and most competitive in the nation. The OBU Division of Music consistently makes a strong showing in the state NATS competition.

For more information about NATS, click here.

For information about OBU's Division of Music, click here.