Student Guidebook
Student Guidebook
Welcome VANATS Singers! We cannot wait to hear you sing at our VANATS Conference and Student Auditions. Below is a guide for singers on how to prepare and participate in the VANATS Conference.
Preparing for Auditions
Membership
In order to participate in student auditions, you must have a voice teacher who is a member. If your teacher is not a member, encourage them to join so you can participate in VANATS.
Follow Our Social Media Pages
Stay up to date on our masterclasses, category honors, and other important news by following our social media pages.
How to Register
When it comes to registering, sit back and relax! Your teacher will manage the registration process for you.
If you want to know how to help and what information to provide, check out the Student Registration Form below. Fill it out and give it to your teacher.
NSA Resource Center
Become familiar with the NSA Resource Center. Many questions about how VANATS runs Student Auditions can be answered at the National level. VANATS works hard to make our regulations consistent with our national chapter.
Review this information carefully so you know what to expect on audition day.
Repertoire Requirements
Review the NATS Category Requirements to determine which category you will be singing in and what the requirements are.
Review the VANATS Category Days - Quick Guide to determine which day your category takes place and whether it is/can be online or in-person.
Typically, college-level singers audition on Friday, and High School and Adult singers audition on Saturday.
Online Categories
Singers submitting videos for the online categories need to follow the NATS national Video Submission Guidelines. Review these guidelines using the button below.
For 2024:
All youth and children categories will be online (cannot participate in-person)
All CM and MT categories can be either online or in-person. Singers need to select one, you cannot participate in both.
Comments Only Category (Online Only)
Virginia NATS hosts a Comments Only section for singers who are not yet prepared to do the full audition process but want to receive additional feedback on their work.
This category does not advance to regionals or receive scores.
Song Requirements
Singers in this category do not need to meet specific category requirements. Comments Only singers can perform up to 3 songs of any genre. There is no minimum song or specific genre requirement.
Accompaniment
Singers are welcome to use any accompaniment to assist their singing.
Recording
Follow the Video Submission Guidelines below for recording and uploading your video.
Cost
Student Audition Fee
Students pay a fee per registered category.
Adult, College, and Online Categories: $25
High School In-Person: $45 (includes accompanist fee)
Additional fees may include an accompanist, lodging, and meals. Discuss which fees/costs you need to plan for and are responsible for with your teacher.
Accompanists (In-Person)
Commercial categories are not required to have an accompanist. Please review the CM requirements below for track and accompaniment guidelines.
Classical and Musical Theater categories are required to audition with a live accompanist. Depending on your category, there are two options regarding accompanists.
Saturday Auditions (High School Singers)
A staff accompanist will be provided for you during your audition (included in registration fee). Use of the staff accompanist is required. Teachers may request an exemption based on the singers needs.
Singers will not have an opportunity to rehearse with the pianist. Singers need to provide scores for the pianist at the time of the audition, and will have time to briefly communicate tempo and markings to the accompanist. We will host and record a session detailing how to prepare music and communicate with your accompanist during the audition. Announcements about this will be made via our Facebook and Instagram pages, and we will post the recording below closer to audition time.
College-Level and Adult Categories
You are required to hire your own accompanist. If you do not already have an accompanist to work with, discuss options with your teacher. If you are still in need, reach out to VANATS Vice President, Melissa Chavez.
Conference Expectations
Audition Time
Your audition time will be posted about a week prior to the auditions. You will receive an email from Virginia NATS with your audition time once it has been scheduled. If you did not receive an email, check in with your teacher for your scheduled audition time.
Attire
While we encourage you to dress professionally and present yourself the best that you are able, we are not scoring you based on your appearance. Consider your own comfort and repertoire selections and discuss attire with your teacher.
Music Score
Teachers and singers are responsible for providing legal and authorized copies of music to their accompanist/staff accompanist. Please review the copyright policy carefully using the button below.
If using music notes or similar resources, make sure the copy states “Authorized for use by “Student Name”.
Please note that using illegal copies, or copies not authorized for use, may result in disqualification. Review this information carefully with your teacher and accompanist to avoid any penalties.
Arrival
All singers need to check in at the registration desk, which opens at 7:30am each day. You do not have to be there until a half hour before your scheduled adjudication.
The registration desk will be in the lobby of the music building. We recommend showing up early to take advantage of the free workshops being offered.
When you check in, you will be directed to the practice rooms in which you can warm up. If your accompanist is available (if you hired an accompanist) you can run through your songs.
As your teacher will be working as an adjudicator, they will not be available to work with you before your audition. However, it may be a good idea to have your teacher’s cell phone number with you so that you can contact them.
Meals
Meals are not provided for singers or pianists, so please budget and plan accordingly.
Audition Process
Arrive early to your assigned audition room. There will be a monitor outside your room who will be communicating with the judges and keeping your room on schedule. Wait until the monitor tells you it is time for you to go in.
Singers under the age of 18 are required to have a chaperone. The chaperone cannot be the teacher or the accompanist.
When you walk in, smile and say, “Hello, I’m ___ and I’d like to begin with ___ .”
You get to choose your first song. The judges will choose after that, though they may let you pick each song. If you run out of time, the judges may cut you off, but don’t worry about it; it doesn’t reflect poorly on you. When you are finished, say thank you.
You do not need to bow or acknowledge your accompanist. Simply thank the judges and quietly leave the room.
Workshops & Masterclasses
Singers are invited to attend masterclasses and workshops both days of the conference. If you would like to be a participant in a masterclass, reach out to your teacher.
Guests
Chaperones are required for singers under the age of 18. The teacher cannot serve as a chaperone.
Family and friends are permitted to be in the room during your audition if the space allows. Guests are asked to remain quiet throughout the audition and not create any disruptions.
Check with your room monitor to see if there is room for guests.
Results and Comments
Results will be posted on the website and social media pages.
Check and refresh the Student Audition Results page over the course of the audition day for placement and honors announcements.
Results will also be posted on Instagram and Facebook stories for singers to follow and share.
Your teacher will receive the written feedback forms following the Honors Recital, which will be given to you the week following auditions.
Placing
There will be first, second, and third place winners in each category. There are cash awards for those who place in each category with a score of 90 (out of 100) or above: $40 for 1st, $30 for 2nd, and $20 for 3rd.
The first place winner sings at the Honors Recital. Whether or not you win, you should stay for the Honors Recital; it’s an educational experience. Anyone who scores an average of 90 or above is eligible to compete at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in March.
Advancing to Regionals
All singers who receive Honors are qualified to advance to Regionals. Please keep in mind that in small categories, it is possible to place and not receive honors/advance to Regionals. Those who are advancing to Regionals will have an (H) marked next to their name on the results page.
If you are advancing to Regionals, review the page linked below.