SOUTHEAST STUDENTS EARN AWARDS IN MUSIC CONTESTS

The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Music recently hit a high note as students in the department brought home honors from two state music competitions.

All seven Southeast Missouri State University vocal students participating in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Missouri Student Auditions won awards after competing Nov. 4-5 at Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville.

In addition, one keyboard student and three brass students earned honors at the Missouri Music Teachers Association State Competition Oct. 28-30 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

In the NATS competition, Southeast singers won four of the five divisions entered and brought home a third of all the top three place awards given in the competition's various categories.

Seven of the 18 awards presented went to Southeast students.

Also competing at this year's NATS competition were students from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Northeast Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University and Central Missouri State University as well as numerous independent singers from across the state.

The three-round NATS event required singers to perform up to four selections from memory for a panel of judges.

During a semi-final round, the singers again performed for a new panel of judges. Only three singers from each division were chosen to advance to the final round where they were judged by all the teachers in attendance.

Teachers bringing students to the competition served as judges for all divisions except those in which their students were entered.

This is the third year that Southeast students participated in the NATS auditions.

The participants were judged on command of languages, understanding of text, poise, suitability of repertory, accuracy, intonation, projection and interpretation.

Monetary awards of $50 were given for first place, $30 for second place and $20 for third place.

Southeast sophomore Jeni Kafka of Cape Girardeau, who was the 1993 metropolitan auditions award winner, won first place in the College Women Lower Division.

Southeast junior Donna Smith of Cape Girardeau won first place in the College Women Upper Division, and Southeast junior Jason Shaffer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, won honorable mention in the College Men Upper Division.

Kafka, Smith and Shaffer are students of Dr. Louisa Panou- Takahashi, assistant professor of music.

Southeast senior Heather Bollinger of Cape Girardeau won first place in the College Advanced Women Division.

Southeast senior Tom Lowery of Overland won first place in the College Men Upper Division.

Southeast freshman Neal Boyd of Sikeston won second place in the College Men Lower Division, and Southeast senior Lance Lancaster of Cape Girardeau won third place in the College Men Upper Division.

Bollinger, Lowery, Boyd and Lancaster are students of Dr. Christopher Goeke, instructor of music.

Southeast students serving as accompanists at the NATS competition were junior Tim DePriest of Cape Girardeau, sophomore Christy Roethemeyer of Jackson and junior Mayme Young of Charleston.

In addition, four Southeast music students earned honors at the Missouri Music Teachers Association State Competition last month at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Schools competing included the University of Missouri-Columbia, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Northwest Missouri State University, Southwest Missouri State University and Central Missouri State University.

Yuko Fujuki, a senior keyboardist from Japan, won an honorable mention award in the College Upper Division. Fujiki is a student of Dr. James Sifferman, associate professor of music.

Senior David Bohnert, a trumpet player from Perryville, was named the state winner in the Undergraduate Honors Division.

Sophomore Bryan Hardester, a trombonist from Arnold, took second place in the Undergraduate Honors Division, and senior Kevin Hill, a trumpet player from Burfordville, won honorable mention in the same division.

Bohnert and Hill are students of Marc Fulgham, instructor of music. Hardester is a student of Dr. Robert Gifford, professor of music and secondary education.