FHSU University Relations and Marketing
HAYS, Kan. — Eight students from Fort Hays State University sang their way to awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing West Central Region Student Auditions. The singers competed against students from Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.
The competitors were students of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of music, and Dr. Ivalah Allen, assistant professor of music. Three pianists, Pam McGowne, Hays, Leann Hillmer, Hays, and Lori Davidson, Russell, accompanied the students and worked with them in the weeks leading up to the competition.
Raeanna Peacock, Hays music education sophomore, student of Allen; Max Haverfield, Hays music performance senior, student of Perniciaro; Clayton Capra, Dighton music education senior, student of Perniciaro; and Jacob Woodmansee, Geneseo animal science sophomore, student of Perniciaro qualified to compete in the national NATS student auditions in spring 2016.
The regional finalists:
First place, College Sophomore Women’s Division — Peacock.
Second place, College Senior Men’s Classical Division — Haverfield.
Second place, College Junior Men’s Classical Division — Capra.
Third place, College Sophomore Men’s Division — Woodmansee.
Fourth place, College Senior Women’s Division — Hayley Shoemaker, Quinter music performance senior, a student of Perniciaro.
Fourth place, Upper College Women’s Music Theatre Division — Hayley Shoemaker.
Fourth place, Upper College Men’s Music Theatre Division — Clayton Capra.
Fourth place, College Freshmen Men’s Division — Max Befort, Hays music education freshman, student of Perniciaro.
Fifth place, College Junior Women’s Division — Morgan Soldan, Salina music education junior, a student of Perniciaro.
Fifth place, Lower College Men’s Music and Theatre Division — Adam Flax, Hays music education freshman, a student of Allen.
Honorable Mention College Junior Women’s Division — Estella Schumacher, Great Bend music junior, a student of Perniciaro.
The regional semi-finalists:
College Junior Women’s Division — Cassandra Canto, Oberlin music education sophomore, a student of Allen.
College Freshman Women’s Division — Matea Gregg, Hays communications freshman, student of Allen.
Three singers Haverfield, Capra and Shoemaker performed at the concert finals competition, which students and regional members attended.