Update from the President

Greetings NATS Ontario members!

As I was reminded recently by our Auditions Coordinator, Bethany Horst, there is now more August behind us than ahead of us and this is born out by the last few summer roses blooming in my garden. As summer draws to a close, I begin to anticipate the coming season: summer programmes hold their final performances, students and teachers prepare for another academic year, studio teaching picks up (or normalizes), and a new performance season commences.

Way back in June (when we were eagerly anticipating the summer season!), the outgoing and incoming NATS Ontario Executive had a very productive meeting (the minutes for which may be accessed here) in which we exchanged information, handed over batons, and reviewed the results of the NATS Ontario Auditions Survey. Thank you again to everyone who participated in the survey! The NATS Ontario Executive was pleased to receive a clear mandate from the membership concerning how to proceed with Auditions; please scroll down to read more.

These last few precious weeks of summer can be the calm before the storm of the new season and I hope you will have the opportunity to regroup in preparation for a busy season ahead. Please also mark your calendars for upcoming NATS events listed below, plan to join us at the NATS Ontario Fall Meeting and Social, and start registering students for our newly named NATS Ontario Vocal Showcase.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to send me an email.

Wishing you the best and looking forward to connecting with you in person in November,

Shannon
president@natsontario.org

ps If you're on

, I hope you'll take a minute to

the new NATS Ontario page!

History: In response to NATS Ontario Members' concerns about NATS Auditions regulation changes, Past President, Elizabeth McDonald and Ontario District Governor, Barbara Dunn-Prosser developed and circulated a survey to determine whether NATS Ontario would adopt the new regulations or retain the method of adjudicating and organization of classes used in the past.

Response: Approximately half of NATS Ontario Members responded to the survey.

Results Summary: responses to the BIG questions:

And finally: 89% of surveyed members said YES to continuing with our current model (ie NOT adopting the new regulations) and support changing the name.

Current Implementation: Results of the survey indicate that although NATS Ontario Membership would like to continue to hold an auditions-like event, NATS Ontario will not adopt the new regulations prescribed by NATS Head Office. In choosing not to adopt the new regulations, NATS Ontario will no longer be able to call the event an "Audition" and the NATS Ontario Executive chose the new name, "NATS Ontario Vocal Showcase" for future events. NATS Ontario Vocal Showcase 2016 will proceed with the same regulations, categories and classes, and adjudicating standards as past Auditions.

Ongoing Implementation: Over the next few years, NATS Ontario Executive will continue to discuss and implement further changes to the Vocal Showcase, including new categories and classes (such as CCM). The Executive pledges to continually inform Membership of ongoing discussion and values all input as we move forward.

Detailed Results: Go to the link below to review the detailed survey results report. SURVEY RESULTS

Thank you again for your participation and input!

Registration is now open for our newly named
NATS Ontario Vocal Showcase 2016!

This year's Vocal Showcase will be held on
Saturday, 19th November at Western University.

Register your students online at
natsauditions.com BEFORE 15 October.

Questions regarding the Vocal Showcase may be directed to
Auditions Coordinator, Bethany Horst: auditions@natsontario.org.

In preparation for NATS Ontario Vocal Showcase in London, a block of standard rooms have been reserved at the Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre for the evenings of 18th and 19th November.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS HERE!
We would love to hear from you!
Newsletters are published four times per year in September, January, March, and June. Please drop us a note by the first day of the month of publication with your news: president@natsontario.org.

Message from the President