Commercial Music Categories
TERMINOLOGY AND ABBREVIATIONS
TREBLE - Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto, Countertenor, and Unchanged Voices
TBB - Tenor, Baritone, Bass
AS – American Negro Spirituals
CL – Classical Art Songs and Arias
CM – Commercial Music
HJ – Hall Johnson Spirituals Competition
HS – High School
MT – Musical Theatre
Determining the Category and Repertoire Requirements
View the Details Behind the Categories
Commercial Music (CM) Categories Advancing to the National Rounds: CM 1, CM 2, CM 3A, CM 3B, CM 4A, CM 4B, CM 5, CM 6, CM 7, CM 8, CM 9, and CM 10 including their sub-divided categories. 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:
- First determine what category the singer belongs in:
- Treble or Tenor Bass Baritone (TBB) - Singers will sing in the category that best describes their voice type that fits into the Treble or TBB
- Second, determine the singer’s age as of September 1 of the competition cycle (September - July)
- Finally, determine the singer’s Grade or Length of Study
- 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.
- 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 weekly 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.
- 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.
