JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The Board of Directors for the National Association of Teachers of Singing held its annual meeting from June 25-27, as required by organizational bylaws. 

Highlights from the meeting included the adoption of new regulations for NATS Student Auditions that will take effect beginning in fall 2015 and approval of a new student membership category that will begin with the 2016 membership year.  

New NATS Student Auditions regulations will be implemented this fall by all chapters, districts and regions to help streamline the auditions process and provide more consistent experiences for participants. The new guidelines will be available online in early August.

The student membership category will supplement the structure of the existing SNATS Chapters while offering more benefits to student members who are pursuing degrees related to voice. More informationwill be available about the student membership category in October.

Other organizational business highlights included:

• A review of the organization’s annual audit and financial status. Board members agreed that NATS is in a strong financial position.
  
  
• Reports from regional governors about the great work happening throughout the association.
  
  
• Approval of a committee report investigating the move of the NATS Artist Awards and National Music Theater Competition finals to a time during the academic year.
  
  
• Approval of proposed bylaws revisions to be presented to the membership for approval. Most changes are minor in nature. Two major items are name changes and duties changes for two NATS vice presidents.
  
  
• Approval of committee appointments of President Norman Spivey.
  
  
• Reports delivered by NATS staff members on various initiatives.
  
  
• Reports delivered by the association’s officers about their work and areas of responsibility.
  
  
• NATS Foundation President Brian Horne reporting on the work of the NATS Foundation in supporting NATS. Further communication will be shared with NATS members in coming weeks.
  
  
• Recognition of five members rotating off the board (Mark McQuade, Robert Wells, Wayne Pope, Sarah Hoover, and Scott Miller), while thanking them for their service.