VANATS Student Auditions

What are VANATS Student Auditions?

Each year, NATS chapters and regions host Student Adjudications, also known as Student Auditions, offering singers a dynamic opportunity to perform and receive valuable written feedback on their performances. These auditions extend to the national level, where participants can compete for prizes. To participate in the NATS National Student Auditions, singers must study with a current NATS member.

Eligibility for audition categories is determined by factors such as the amount of time a singer has studied voice, their voice type, age as of September 1, and, for younger students, their year in school. Qualifying singers from the Virginia NATS Chapter Student Auditions are eligible to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Region Student Auditions. These events not only allow singers to connect, share their artistry, and learn from one another but also enable NATS teachers to build stronger relationships with colleagues. Attendees enjoy hearing a diverse repertoire of songs, making the auditions an enriching and inspiring experience for all.

In 2025 there are two separate VANATS conferences: Online/Virtual (January 2025) and In Person at GMU (February 2025).

We continue to follow the requirements and regulations outlined on the NATS website. To make things easier, here are direct links to key resources:

ONLINE/VIRTUAL: ALL CATEGORIES

  • Registration on AuditionWare: January 6–20, 2025

  • Last Day to Submit Video Links: January 20th

  • Announcement of Winners: January 31st

IN PERSON at GMU: ALL CATEGORIES

  • Registration on AuditionWare: February 1 - 13, 2025

  • Last Day to Change Repertoire: February 13th

  • Conference: February 21-22nd


In-Person Conference

Friday, February 21 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

George Mason University

Important updates:

  • Singers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the audition and conference (this cannot be the teacher or accompanist).

  • Staff pianists are provided for children, youth and high school categories on Saturday February 22nd. It is the expectation that singers will use staff pianists. See the Student Guidebook for more details. Teachers seeking an exemption for reasons of student accommodation or repertoire demands can contact VANATS President Mark Greenawalt.


Location, Dates, & Categories

In-Person Categories:

Categories: All Categories

  • Friday, February 22: College-Level and Advanced Categories

  • Saturday, February 24: Children, Youth, High School and Avocational Adult Categories.

*Singers can only do one submission per category (online OR in-person).

Upcoming Conferences

2024 - 2025 SEASON
February 2025

Online: January

In-Person: George Mason University

2025 - 2026 SEASON
October 2025

In-Person: Shenandoah University

Spring
Online: January


Parking

Parking will be provided at GMU


Check In

Singers
Singers must check in at least 30 minutes before your audition

Teachers
All teachers/adjudicators are expected to attend the judges’ meeting both Friday and Saturday.

Friday: 8:15 am
Saturday: 8:15 am


Schedule: Check back on February 1st


Registration Fees

Chapter dues: $25.00 (Chapter dues should be paid on the NATS national site along with national dues.)

Conference Registration Fee:  $40.00 (There is no conference fee for on-line auditions)

Student Audition Fee (for each audition scheduled)

  • Adult, College, and Online Categories: $25

  • Children, Youth and High School In-Person: $45

Judges’ Commitment:
Members who register students in any category for the in person event are expected to be present for both conference days to judge.

If you are unable to attend or judge at the in person event, we strongly encourage teachers to enter their students in the January virtual event. A teacher who registers students for the in person event and does not attend/judge for both days must pay a $40 registration fee plus either find a substitute judge (a NATS member who is has not registered students for the VANATS in person event) OR pay a $100 substitute judging fee.


Lodging

VANATS will not be providing hotel recommendations or blocks.


Dining

VANATS provides lunch for all adjudicators on Friday and Saturday, and George Mason will provide a banquet dinner for all members on Friday night. Singers, chaperones, and pianists should make their own arrangements for dining during the conference.