The 2022 Vocal Showcase is now complete. Stay tuned for details about the 2023 showcase!

NATS Ontario Vocal Showcase Handbook (updated October 2022)
NATS Ontario Master Pianists List (updated August 30)

WHAT IS THE NATS ONTARIO VOCAL SHOWCASE?

The NATS Ontario Vocal Showcase (live and virtual) is an opportunity for singers to perform a set of pieces from a choice of three genres – Classical Voice, Musical Theatre and Popular Voice/Commercial Music.

At these events singers meet and hear other vocalists, NATS teachers network with their colleagues, and everyone has the chance to hear a variety of repertoire.

Showcase typically falls on the third weekend of November. Saturday features Classical Voice classes and Sunday features Musical Theatre and Popular Voice/Commercial Music classes. Students may participate in one or both days in one or all genres. MT and CCM classes are held together on Sunday, but singers can still register in one class of each genre. Each day culminates in a Winners Showcase Concert.

EQUITY & DIVERSITY STATEMENT
NATS Ontario is dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our artistic and social interactions, and our engagement as a community. NATS Ontario aims to create an environment of understanding and mutual respect for the value and dignity of all persons. We strive to identify, remove, and prevent barriers that hinder complete and meaningful participation in NATS Ontario activities. All members of the NATS Ontario community share the responsibility of supporting these values and goals. The education and support of our members in the areas of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism is paramount.

CLASSES

CLASSICAL (Download Class Options PDF)
● Suggested repertoire can be found in, but not limited to, the RCM or CC syllabi.
● All repertoire selections must be sung by memory, except for Oratorio/Cantata selections.
● No musical theatre or popular songs permitted.
● Categories may be combined if numbers warrant.
● Fach = voicing; S (soprano), M (mezzo/alto), T (tenor), B (bass)

MUSICAL THEATRE (Download Class Options PDF)
● Entrants are encouraged to choose selections from all areas of musical theatre such as staged musicals, workshops, revues, cabarets, Disney films, movie musicals, juke-box musicals, Gilbert and Sullivan and new musical theatre works.
● Age-appropriate repertoire and suitable lyrics should be taken into consideration when choosing songs.
● One selection must be from a staged musical for MT-04 and higher.
● Golden Age selection is recommended for MT-08 and higher.
● All selections must be sung from memory.
● Minimal props and costumes are acceptable but will not factor into placements.
● Categories may be combined if numbers warrant.
● Voice Type = voicing; S (soprano), M (mezzo/alto), T (tenor), B (bass)

POPULAR VOICE/COMMERCIAL MUSIC (Download Class Options PDF)
● Two contrasting songs as per repertoire requirements for each class.
● Acoustic accompaniment or professional back tracks can be used (no background vocals permitted). ● Recommended backtracks resource https://www.karaoke-version.com.
● Age-appropriate repertoire and suitable lyrics should be taken into consideration when choosing songs.
● A microphone, amplifier and piano will be available for live entrants.
● Please be advised that selections from musical theatre, (eg. such as ‘Hamilton’ or ‘Rent’), belong in the Musical Theatre category.
● All songs must be sung from memory.
● Categories may be combined if numbers warrant.

LIVE SHOWCASE (IN-PERSON)

Registration opens on August 31, 2022.
Registration closes on October 31, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

● For ‘live’ performance, singers need not introduce their repertoire selections.
● Accompaniment for Classical and MT will be with piano.
● For Popular Voice/Commercial Music acoustic or professional backtracks can be used as accompaniment (no background vocals permitted).
● ONE legal copy of each piece must be present and visible in the performance room (i.e. placed on the piano). Pianists may play from the legal copy/original score or photocopy provided the legal copy is present for inspection. Repertoire considered public domain may be played from copies obtained
from IMSLP. Digital copies require a proof of purchase receipt (not a title page). Music written by the participant is exempt. Students who do not bring a legal copy will receive comments but will not be eligible for placement or awards. Adjudicators do not require original repertoire but may request to inspect copies.
● Videography is permitted with permission from the singer, i.e. family members may only record their singer’s performance, for the individual categories and the Winners Showcase Concert.

VIRTUAL SHOWCASE

Virtual Showcase Submission Requirements (Download PDF)

Registration opens on August 31, 2022.
Registration closes on November 5, 2022.
All Virtual Showcase registrations AND videos must be submitted via Auditionware by November 5 at 11:59 p.m.

● For ‘virtual’ performance, singers can use a title card or introduce themselves and their category.
● Prior to performing, singers must display to the camera the original music (book, score, sheet music
or digital music). Digital copies require a proof of purchase receipt (not a title page). Music written
by the participant is exempt. Students who do not display a legal copy will receive comments but will
not be eligible for placement or awards
● Accompaniment for Classical and Musical Theatre can be with piano or piano backtracks only.
● For Popular Voice/Commercial Music acoustic or professional backtracks can be used as
accompaniment (no background vocals permitted).

Judges/Teachers will be given ample time throughout November to complete their written feedback and rankings.  We hope to announce all placements and have comments accessible by December 1.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

NATS Vocal Showcase categories are divided by age and fach. For the ‘live’ Vocal Showcase, singers must bring their own accompanist or choose from a list of Official Accompanists on the NATS Ontario website. Singers must be registered for the Showcase through their teacher/NATS member; as we are all volunteers, this process streamlines the registration, leaving the teacher as the contact point, not the individual singers. Non-NATS members may register students and there is a $50 surcharge to participate, which may be applied to future membership fees. NATS categories are divided by age and school-grade and in most classes by voice type. 

Singers may enter as many classes in as many genres as they wish.

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

‘Live’ and ‘Virtual’ NATS Ontario Vocal Showcases will be offered in 2022.

Classical, Musical Theatre and Popular Voice/Commercial Music classes are offered. Singers may enter any or all categories as they wish in their appropriate age division for both ‘live’ and ‘virtual’ Vocal Showcases.

Please read the category descriptions carefully and refer to the individual categories for specific rules and repertoire requirements. Failure to adhere to class criteria will result in disqualification from scholarships and awards.

Please see ‘Live’ and ‘Virtual’ Vocal Showcase information below for copyright rules.

Singers must begin their final piece within the given time limit to qualify for scholarships. Singers will be
stopped if they exceed their time limit (the full piece may not be heard).

Singers must sing the repertoire selections that they declared when they registered; no changes to
programming may occur after registration closes. Repertoire selections can be sung in any order.

All participants will receive written comments from a panel of three judges for singers in categories 13 years and above and two judges for singers in categories 6 – 12 years.

Novice Adult categories are for adult singers who have studied two years or less and Advanced Adult
categories are adult singers who have studied more than two years.

SHOWCASE FAQs

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There are many things to communicate about the showcases, including entry fees, accompanist information, appropriate attire, and more. Click here to download the full FAQ sheet.
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Where will the ‘Live’ Vocal Showcase be held in November 2022?
Western University, London, Ontario

How do I register?
NATS Ontario Members must register their students via http://www.auditionware.com using the email account that is on file with NATS Ontario Chapter to login. You must use an email OTHER than the account currently associated with http://www.nats.org. Follow prompts to register for the Vocal Showcase. All previous student data should be saved under your account. Do NOT pay fees until completely finished entering ALL singer registrations, as this completes and closes your registration. For troubleshooting or login issues, or to set up an account, email showcase@natsontario.org or showcase2@natsontario.org.

Non-NATS members can create an Auditionware account via our coordinator. Please email
showcase@natsontario.org for a login. There is an additional registration fee of $50.00 when entering singers for non-NATS members.

HAPPY PREPARATIONS! 

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