Vazquez earns statewide honors for voice performance

Joe Vazquez ’20 performs in Randolph’s Wimberly Recital Hall in 2018.

Joe Vazquez ’20 received honors at the recent Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions. The statewide conference was held at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va.

Vazquez auditioned in the Lower College Men, Classical, category, which included performers who have been studying voice at the college level for less than two years. To receive honors, a student must receive an average score of 90 or higher from a panel of three judges. Students receive the scoring sheets, which also contain comments from the judges about how to improve their performance.

As an honors student, Vazquez was also invited to compete in Regional NATS auditions, which will be held at Towson University in Maryland from March 22-23. He is only the second Randolph student since 2000 to have received honors at NATS. Lis Chacon ’13 earned the honor in the Lower College Women, Music Theatre, category in 2011.

“This recognition is very significant for our department and our students,” said music professor Randall Speer. “The competition is statewide, against much larger and competitive schools of music such as Shenandoah Conservatory, George Mason, James Madison, Old Dominion University, and Liberty University. It showcases the exemplary work students like Joe are doing in music, and provides distinction to Randolph on a statewide level.”