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For high school singers: NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competitions really are helpful. To participate the singer must study with a member. In most areas there are two auditions/competitions a year, district or chapter and regional. In some places you must place at the district auditions to be eligible to enter regionals. In others, each teacher may only be allowed to enter a fixed number of singers. In all cases, the teacher must participate in the conference auditions (as a judge), or the singer's application will not be accepted. At the audition, critiques will be written by three experienced judges who will also score the singers, and these will be given to the singer before subsequent rounds. Repertory is prescribed by category, 3-5 selections. Depending on the type of audition competition, there may be as many as three rounds over three days, and the finals will be before the entire regional organization. It is a super experience. Singers compete only against others their age or year in school and for classical singers (there are usually separate musical theater categories), they only compete with other males or females. It provides excellent feedback on the potential of the singer.
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