Voice Student Wins Semi-Finalist Round in National Competition

Voice student Tia Wilson has been selected as a semi-finalist in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition for the Hall Johnson Spirituals category. Twelve semi-finalists were chosen from a large pool of contestants from all over the country. The top three finalists will be announced on June 21, with the first place winner announced on June 28.

Sponsored by the Hall Johnson Collection at Rowan University, the Hall Johnson Spirituals Competition occurs every other year as part of the NATS National Conference. Open to college undergraduates, ages 17-23, the competition offers three cash prizes for the best performances of a Spiritual arranged by Hall Johnson (1888-1970), an American conductor, composer, and arranger.

For the semi-finals competition, which was conducted virtually through YouTube, Tia sang three songs: “Wade in de Water,” “City Called Heaven,” and “Crucifixion.” If selected as a finalist, she will choose one of those three performances to submit for the final round.

Tia is a rising senior from Walnut Cove, N.C. She hopes to graduate in May 2021 with a B.A. in Music. She is a student of Dr. Sequina DuBose.