WIU's Pitt Named National Finalist in NATS Vocal Competition

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Joshua Pitt
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Joshua Pitt, right, is pictured with WIU Assistant Professor of Voice Penelope Shumate.
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WIU's Pitt Named National Finalist in NATS Vocal Competition

June 22, 2020

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MACOMB, IL – A student of Western Illinois University Assistant Professor of Voice Penelope Shumate was recently named one of only three singers in the United States in his category as a finalist to compete in the final round of the National NATS Vocal Competition, starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 28.

Joshua Pitt, a sophomore vocal performance and music education major, of Racine, WI, is one of only 46 total finalists in the country, chosen from the 755 semi-finalists to compete. The finalists were announced Sunday afternoon.

"I feel fortunate to be able to work with Joshua Pitt," said Shumate. "Because of his dedication to artistic excellence, his work ethic and his willingness to learn, our work together is extremely productive and he continually improves."

The final round of the competition can be seen online June 28 at youtube.com/user/OfficialNATS.

Pitt initially won first place in the regional NATS vocal competition in Fall 2019. He won the award in the Lower Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass Division to be eligible to compete at the national level. Because of the coronavirus, Pitt competed by YouTube video as one of 14 semifinalists in his category.

This is the second year in a row a student from Shumate's voice studio has been chosen for the national competition. Her student, senior music therapy and vocal performance major Claire Ryterski, of Columbia, IL, was a national semi-finalist in 2019, after also winning first place at the regional level of the NATS Vocal Competition.

For more information about the competition, visit nats.org/national_student_auditions.html. For more information about the WIU School of Music, visit wiu.edu/music.