General Information:
NATS Copyright Policy:
NATS encourages its members, their students, accompanists and the general population to become educated about, and to comply with, all applicable copyright laws. Reproduction of a copyrighted work constitutes copyright infringement unless a license to reproduce such work has been obtained, the use is considered fair use, the work is in the public domain, or a valid exception to copyright infringement exists.
NATS requires students, teachers and other participants in NATS affiliated events, auditions and competitions to affirm compliance with the NATS Copyright Policy, and to use only authorized reproductions of copyrighted works.
NATS has unwavering support for the importance of compliance with copyright laws, and the support of our colleagues whose creative works sustain a vibrant and living art form. Please refer to the NATS Copyright Resources page for more information on copyright laws. This resource page is part of an effort to educate and promote copyright compliance among all constituencies within NATS and the general public.
How It Applies To You:
In the Registration Form, you will be required to sign-off that you understand the below stated NATS Copyright Rules.
Singer’s Acknowledgement of NATS Copyright Policy
In connection with Your participation in this NATS affiliated event, you hereby represent and warrant that
(a) You are familiar with and will comply at all times with the NATS Copyright Policy
(b) Any use of reproduced music will not confuse or mislead the public as to authorship or in any other way; and
(c) at least one of the following is true:
What To Do Now:
Our NATS Boston Student Auditions house pianists know that they will be playing from music that follows these requirements (rather than a temporary photocopy). It is possible that much of your music falls into the "public domain" rule. Any of that music and any digitally purchased music can be presented to the pianist in a 3-ring binder or on an iPad type device. If you have any music you are presenting that is still under copyright and not purchased online, you will need to bring an original book. Your pianist CANNOT play from photocopies from original books. We WILL NOT check your music for copyright compliance at check-in; instead, you will sign-off on the above statement, which is additionally listed in the registration form, that you are following the rules. It's an honor system. If you are bringing original books, make sure they are easy to use for the pianist (broken in) and that your music is well-labeled so that pianist can easily find the selections.
- All repertoire must be memorized, with the exception of Oratorio, Mass, Requiem, and Cantata Arias. Singers may hold music scores for these types of arias as is traditional performance practice.
- NATS Boston’s initiatives surrounding access have been our priority since the beginning of the pandemic; under the guidance of one's teacher, we support gender-bending repertoire selections for students as well as key changes for trans and non-binary singers.
- Songs written in uncommon languages may be sung in English or the original language, but cannot be a substitute for the required (American or British) art song with English as the original language.
- Spirituals are welcome in all categories, as determined by style.
- It is expected that participants in all categories will perform full songs or arias, with the exception of Judicious Cuts which are outlined for each division in its relevant Audition Terminology here.
- For CM participants, one original song (composed by the participant) is allowed per division entry for Children, Youth, Lower High School, Upper High School, Lower Post High School, and Adult Avocational participants. Two original songs are allowed per division entry for Upper Post High School participants, and Three original songs are allowed per division entry for Advanced participants.
- Time limits for auditions will be strictly enforced by adjudicators.
- It is not necessary to provide adjudicators with copies of music.
- Please review the Audition Terminology outlined for each division here as it may impact a student's performance choices.
NATS Copyright Policy:
NATS encourages its members, their students, accompanists and the general population to become educated about, and to comply with, all applicable copyright laws. Reproduction of a copyrighted work constitutes copyright infringement unless a license to reproduce such work has been obtained, the use is considered fair use, the work is in the public domain, or a valid exception to copyright infringement exists.
NATS requires students, teachers and other participants in NATS affiliated events, auditions and competitions to affirm compliance with the NATS Copyright Policy, and to use only authorized reproductions of copyrighted works.
NATS has unwavering support for the importance of compliance with copyright laws, and the support of our colleagues whose creative works sustain a vibrant and living art form. Please refer to the NATS Copyright Resources page for more information on copyright laws. This resource page is part of an effort to educate and promote copyright compliance among all constituencies within NATS and the general public.
How It Applies To You:
In the Registration Form, you will be required to sign-off that you understand the below stated NATS Copyright Rules.
Singer’s Acknowledgement of NATS Copyright Policy
In connection with Your participation in this NATS affiliated event, you hereby represent and warrant that
(a) You are familiar with and will comply at all times with the NATS Copyright Policy
(b) Any use of reproduced music will not confuse or mislead the public as to authorship or in any other way; and
(c) at least one of the following is true:
- You own the copyright of any reproduced music used;
- You have been granted a license by the owner of the copyright to reproduce the music used;
- The reproduced music is in the public domain;
- You are a teacher and are using the copies for educational purposes in a not-for-profit educational setting and otherwise in compliance with U. S. Copyright Office Circular 21; or
- You have legally acquired (such as by purchase or gift) each copy of reproduced music that is used and distributed to an accompanist or adjudicator at the event.
What To Do Now:
Our NATS Boston Student Auditions house pianists know that they will be playing from music that follows these requirements (rather than a temporary photocopy). It is possible that much of your music falls into the "public domain" rule. Any of that music and any digitally purchased music can be presented to the pianist in a 3-ring binder or on an iPad type device. If you have any music you are presenting that is still under copyright and not purchased online, you will need to bring an original book. Your pianist CANNOT play from photocopies from original books. We WILL NOT check your music for copyright compliance at check-in; instead, you will sign-off on the above statement, which is additionally listed in the registration form, that you are following the rules. It's an honor system. If you are bringing original books, make sure they are easy to use for the pianist (broken in) and that your music is well-labeled so that pianist can easily find the selections.
Repertoire Requirements by Division:
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CLASSICAL
Children
Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 11 and younger; below 6th grade Audition Time Limit: 6 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Two contrasting age-appropriate selections from classical repertoire. Youth Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 11-14; 6th-8th grade Audition Time Limit: 6 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Two contrasting age-appropriate selections from classical repertoire. Lower High School Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 14-16; 9th-10th Grade Audition Time Limit: 8-10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting selections from classical repertoire. One art song in English. One art song in a language other than English. One additional art song or aria. Upper High School Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 16-19; 11th-12th Grade Audition Time Limit: 8-10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting selections from classical repertoire. One art song in English. One art song in a foreign language. One additional art song or aria. Lower Post High School Years of Study: 0-2 years post high school Age Limit: 22 Audition Time Limit: 10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting selections from classical repertoire: One art song in English. One art song in a language other than English. One aria or art song. Upper Post High School Years of Study: 3-5 years post high school, not in a grad program Age Limit: 25 Audition Time Limit: 12 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Four contrasting selections from classical repertoire: One art song in English. One art song in a language other than English. One aria. One additional selection from the classical repertoire. At least three languages must be represented. Advanced Years of Study: 4+ years post high school Age Limit: 30 Audition Time Limit: 15 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Five contrasting selections from classical repertoire: One art song in English. One art song in a language other than English. One operatic aria. One oratorio/cantata aria. One additional selection from the classical repertoire. At least three languages must be represented. Adult Avocational Years of Study: No limit Age Limit: 18+ Audition Time Limit: 10-12 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting selections from classical repertoire: One art song in English. One art song in language other than English. One additional art song or aria. |
COMMERCIAL MUSIC
Children
Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 11 and younger; below 6th grade Audition Time Limit: 6 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Two contrasting age-appropriate selections performed in a CM style(s). Youth Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 11-14; 6th-8th grade Audition Time Limit: 6 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Two contrasting age-appropriate selections performed in a CM style(s). Lower High School Years of Study: No limit Age: 14-16; 9th-10th grade Audition Time Limit: 8-10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting full songs performed in a CM style(s): At least one ballad and one up tempo included in 3 selections. Only one song may be an original song, instead of a cover. Only one song may be self-accompanied on an acoustic instrument, instead of performing with a live collaborative instrumentalist. Upper High School Years of Study: No limit Age: 16-19; 11th-12th grade Audition Time Limit: 8-10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting full songs performed in a CM style(s): At least one ballad and one up tempo included in 3 selections. Only one song may be an original song, instead of a cover. Only one song may be self accompanied on an acoustic instrument, instead of performing with a live collaborative instrumentalist. Lower Post High School Years of Study: 0-2 years post high school Age: 22 Audition Time: 10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting full songs performed in a CM style(s): Only one song may be an original song, instead of a cover. Only one song may be self-accompanied on an acoustic instrument, instead of performing with a live collaborative instrumentalist. Upper Post High School Years of Study: 3-5 years post high school all as undergraduate Age Limit: 25 Audition Time Limit: 12 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Four contrasting full songs performed in a CM style(s): Up to 2 songs may be original songs, instead of a cover. Up to 2 songs may be self-accompanied on an acoustic instrument, instead of performing with a live collaborative instrumentalist. Advanced Years of Study: 4+ years post high school Age Limit: 30 Audition Time Limit: 15 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Five contrasting full songs performed in a CM style(s): Up to 3 songs may be original songs, instead of a cover. Up to 2 songs may be self-accompanied on an acoustic instrument, instead of performing with a live collaborative instrumentalist. Adult Avocational Years of Study: No limit Age Limit: 18+ Audition Time Limit: 10-12 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting full songs performed in a CM style(s): Only one song may be an original song, instead of a cover. Only one song may be self-accompanied on an acoustic instrument, instead of performing with a live collaborative instrumentalist. |
MUSICAL THEATER
Children
Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 11 and younger; below 6th grade Audition Time Limit: 6 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Two contrasting age-appropriate musical theatre selections from musicals (including film musicals), revues, operettas, musical theatre song cycles or musical theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from operetta or musical theatre song literature. Youth Years of Study: No limit Age Range: 11-14; 6th-8th grade Audition Time Limit: 6 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Two contrasting age-appropriate musical theatre selections from musicals (including film musicals), revues, operettas, musical theatre song cycles or musical theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from operetta or musical theatre song literature. Lower High School Years of Study: No limit Age: 14-16; 9th-10th grade Audition Time Limit: 8-10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting music theater selections from musicals (including film musicals), revues, operettas, music theater song cycles or music theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from operetta or musical theater song literature. Upper High School Years of Study: No limit Age: 16-19; 11th-12th grade Audition Time Limit: 8-10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting music theater selections from musicals (including film musicals), revues, operettas, music theater song cycles or music theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from operetta or musical theater song literature. Lower Post High School Years of Study: 0-2 years post high school Age Limit: 22 Audition Time Limit: 10 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting music theater selections from musicals (including film musicals), revues, operettas, music theater song cycles or music theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from operetta or musical theater song literature. Upper Post High School Years of Study: 3-5 years post high school, not in a grad program Age Limit: 25 Audition Time Limit: 12 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Four contrasting music theater selections from musicals (including film musicals), revues, operettas, music theater song cycles or music theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from operetta or musical theater song literature. Advanced Years of Study: 4+ years post high school Age Limit: 30 Audition Time Limit: 15 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Four contrasting musical theatre selections: from musicals including film musicals, revues, operettas, musical theatre song cycles, or musical theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from an operetta or musical theatre song literature. Adult Avocational Years of Study: No limit Age: 18+ Audition Time Limit: 10-12 minutes Repertoire Requirement: Three contrasting musical theatre selections: from musicals including film musicals, revues, operettas, musical theatre song cycles or musical theatre song literature. Only one selection may be chosen from operetta or musical theatre song literature. |
Adjudication:
Participants will be evaluated by a panel of judges using the NATS Classical Adjudication Rubric, the NATS Musical Theater Adjudication Rubric, and/or the NATS Commercial Music Adjudication Rubric, all of which can be accessed here.
Participants will be evaluated by a panel of judges using the NATS Classical Adjudication Rubric, the NATS Musical Theater Adjudication Rubric, and/or the NATS Commercial Music Adjudication Rubric, all of which can be accessed here.
NATS Student Auditions Guidance 2023-2024:
In preparation for the upcoming season of NATS Student Auditions, we strongly encourage you to review the following NATS National Student Auditions resources: https://www.nats.org/2023_NSA_Updates.html
In preparation for the upcoming season of NATS Student Auditions, we strongly encourage you to review the following NATS National Student Auditions resources: https://www.nats.org/2023_NSA_Updates.html