Classical Categories of Entry

TERMINOLOGY AND ABBREVIATIONS

View the Details Behind the Categories

Classical (CL) Categories Advancing to the National Rounds: CL 1, CL 2, CL 3A, CL 3B, CL 4A, CL 4B, CL 5, CL 6, CL 7, CL 8, CL 9, CL 10 including their sub-divided categories in the region. Upper (7/8) and Advanced (9/10) categories will be combined at the National Levels.

When a singer studies with a current NATS Professional, Emeritus, or Emerging Professional member in good standing, teachers should consider the following details and collect information before beginning registration:

1. Determine singer's age for the season, which is their age on September 1st of the current audition season running from September through July. 
2. Determine the singer's grade or relevant length of post-high school voice study.
3. Excepting Children, Youth and Spirituals categories, a singer's category is also dependent on their voice type being either Treble or Tenor/Baritone/Bass (TBB).
   
   
   • Singers in Pre-K through Grade 12 enter the category that matches their current grade level, provided they do not exceed the category's maximum age.
   • Singers having completed the equivalent of high school and/or secondary education must consider the length of study.
     1. Counting a year of study begins on the first day of post-high school voice. Once a singer begins study during an NSA cycle (September–July), that cycle counts as one full year of study, regardless of whether the singer continues lessons for the entire cycle. Exceptions may be granted only in extraordinary circumstances when the singer is medically unable or formally prohibited from singing for a substantial portion of the cycle. Any exception must be approved by the Auditions Chair.
     2. Spirit of the Rule: The purpose of this policy is to ensure equitable placement by counting a singer’s progression through time, not simply the number of lessons taken. Exceptions are intended only for extraordinary situations in which a singer is genuinely unable to continue vocal study because they cannot sing—not for scheduling conflicts, changes of teacher or school, study abroad, personal choice, or temporary interruptions in lessons. Auditions Chairs should apply the exception only when the extraordinary circumstances clearly prevent the singer from engaging in voice study for a substantial portion of the NSA cycle.