New Partnership Between NATS And Cincinnati Song Initiative Announced

The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Cincinnati Song Initiative (CSI) have announced a new strategic partnership revolving around the annual NATS Art Song Composition Award. Each year's winning composer will have their work programmed on a future CSI concert as part of its Americana series, which presents new American songs alongside those of our country's greatest composers of past eras. This partnership will help fulfill the missions of both organizations through the promotion of new American art song.

"As a supporter of the creation of new art song, NATS is excited to share our winning composers and their works with a wider audience through this new partnership with the Cincinnati Song Initiative," says Allen Henderson, Executive Director of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

The purpose of the Art Song Composition Award is to stimulate the creation of quality vocal literature through the cooperation of singer and composer. With cash prizes sponsored by American composer Lori Laitman, the competition has become an annual occurrence with increased notoriety throughout the art song community. Recent winners include Benjamin C.S. Boyle, Matt Boehler, David Conte, Robert Patterson, Melissa Dunphy, and David Sisco. While each year's winning piece is presented at the annual NATS conference, the new NATS-CSI partnership will double the work's exposure to the public with an additional performance on a Cincinnati Song Initiative concert.

"Cincinnati Song Initiative is actively ushering the art song genre into the twenty-first century through its innovative and unique programming," says Founding Artistic Director Samuel Martin. "Through our Americana series, CSI contributes directly to the commissioning and performance of brand-new American art song. By including each year's NATS winner on our concerts, CSI will serve these talented composers by providing an invaluable repeat performance of their work. For our audiences, I can't think of a better way to attract new lovers of song than by featuring fresh music and poetry that relates to them in today's society. I am grateful to NATS for recognizing Cincinnati as an epicenter for new American song."

Says Lori Laitman, "As sponsor of the NATS Art Song Composition Competition, I am delighted by the new partnership between the Cincinnati Song Initiative and NATS. CSI's top-caliber performances will bring the beauty of the best new works to new audiences. Bravi tutti!"

This year's competition deadline is December 1, with the winning piece to be premiered at the 56th NATS National Conference in June 2020 in Knoxville, Tennessee. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.nats.org/art-song-composition.html.