Students Place at Ohio NATS Competition

Congratulations to the Ashland University voice students of Denise Milner Howell who participated in the Ohio NATS competition at Youngstown State University. Accompanied by Deb Logan, freshman Gabriella Carr was awarded 3rd place overall in the Lower College Women and Men's Musical Theatre category, and post-secondary student Katie Harrigan was awarded 2nd place in High School Musical Theatre. They are both now eligible to compete at the Great Lakes Regional Competition in March 2018.

Jazz Groups Have Successful Trip and Competitions

On March 24-26, the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) had several   performances in Pennsylvania as part of their annual tour. The tour began in Butler, PA for the state's district V's annual honor band event.  Jazz Orchestra director Dr. Scott Garlock gave a clinic on jazz improvisation and scatting and after a short break, AUJO performed a concert for approximately 250 students and 70 band directors.

The following day, the Wingnuts (AU's top jazz combo) placed third in the combo division at the 50th Villanova Jazz Festival.  Student receiving individual awards were Aaron Hill, drums, and Trent Kimball, saxophone.

Chris Simmons, Senior Trombonist

Trent Kimball, Junior Saxophonist

On the Saturday of the same event, AUJO likewise placed third. This honor was a great accomplishment for the band, as there were seven bands participating, all of which came from much larger schools many sizes with large jazz programs. Our trombone section was also dubbed the “Best trombone section” at the festival, and again, this is a great honor for our students to win--to our knowledge, no section from A.U. has ever been accorded such recognition at a jazz festival.  The trombone section members are Chris Simmons, John Grimm, Morgan Mirtes, Marisa Sanchez, and Jim Slike.  Individual award winners were Chris Simmons, trombone; Aaron Hill, drums; and Jim Slike, bass trombone.

5 Voice students are winners in Ohio competition

Several Ashland University voice students were award winners at the Ohio NATS (National Association of teachers of Singing) competition held April 2, 2011 at Cleveland State University.  All participating students performed before judges and received comments regarding their singing.

265 performers from all over the state participated along with 56 voice teachers. At the awards presentation, Ashland University's name was called out five times:

Katie Mounts, 2nd place, Lower College Musical Theatre, student of Denise Milner Howell

Japhael Bonderant, Honorable mention, Lower College Musical Theatre, student of Denise Milner Howell

Madeline Beer, 1st place, Upper College Musical Theatre, student of Dione Bennett

Derek Jackenheimer, 2nd place, Freshmen Men, student of Denise Milner Howell

Chanae Curtis, 2nd place, Junior Women, student of Dione Bennett


Congratulations to all!

Voice students win awards at competition

Several Ashland University voice students were award winners at the Great Lakes Regional National Association of teachers of Singing (NATS) competition on March 5, 2011.  All participating students performed before judges and received comments regarding their singing.

The following students placed in their categories:

Lower College Musical Theatre:  Katie Mounts (Honorable Mention)
Freshman College Men:  Derek Jackenheimer (1st place)
Junior College Women:  Chanae Curtis (2nd place)

Katie is a Music and Musical Theatre major from Greenwich; Derek is a music education major from Ashland, and Chanae is a junior music major from Cleveland Heights.

Attending the NATS Regional with these students were 2 of Ashland University’s voice instructors, Dione Parker Bennett and Denise Milner Howell.

Congratulations to all!