Each year, students in Midwestern State University's Department of Music compete at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Regional Conference. It is a prestigious event with students competing against a three-state area of more than 100 colleges and universities, including Baylor, TCU, SMU, the University of North Texas, The University of Texas, and Oklahoma University.

In preparation for the competition, students will rehearse their selections at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, in Akin Auditorium. Students include sopranos Brianna Boone, Kara Hicks, Maritza Moreno, Lindsay Rittenhouse, and Shiori Watashima; and baritone Steven Singleton. This year's conference will be Nov. 7-10 at Baylor University in Waco.

Last year, two singers from MSU Texas placed in the semifinal competition at the NATS Regional Conference held at Texas A&M-Commerce. Hicks advanced to the finals and placed fourth in the sophomore division. Rittenhouse also placed in the semifinal round. Both are vocal performance majors.

NATS was founded in 1944 to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the teaching of singing and to promote vocal education and research at all levels. It is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with nearly 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and nearly 30 other countries. Internationally, NATS is represented in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, with the number of countries growing every year.

The rehearsal is free and open to the public. Call Dr. Don Maxwell at 940-397-4242 for more information.