This is the second year I have entered the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) state competitions. I don't like that word because competing is not my intent; most of the entrants are college music students and I feel competing with them is like an orange competing with an apple. But ... I placed third recently in the classical music category for men over 23 in their 1st and 2nd years of study. Whoo-hoo! I was thrilled. Came home with a certificate, a $25 check, a little bit of pride, and six sheets of comments from the judges--three for the classical music I sang, three for the selections from musical theatre. Now I'm pumped and ready to kick my breathing and my work on my high notes up to the next level. After all, next year at the NATS competition I've be in the advanced category--men in their 3rd and 4th years of study. No beginner's excuses any longer!
