Special Awards: Link to register for these awards may be found in the VP letter on the Audition page.
Spotlight on Music by Women Composers
The Spotlight on Music by Women Composer is an award made possible by a generous donation from one of our own SCNATS members, Jill Terhaar-Lewis. The award is given for the best performance of a song by a woman composer. To be eligible, singers must choose to use a song by a woman composer. A panel of judges will adjudicate and one winner from the high school categories and a second for all college and adult categories (including CCM) will be selected. The student should be prepared to perform the piece live at the audition at a separate time from their SCNATS category audition slot. The recital/audition format of this portion of the competition will be open to the public, allowing us to celebrate all of the composers whose music is entered into the competition. The winner will be announced at the honors recital soon afterward, and the award will be $50 for the winners. Both lower (HS and below) and upper (college and above) will be given.
New Composition Award
New Composition Award: This category is for compositions that have never been performed and were written by the student themselves. Eligible students may submit their work for consideration in the New Composition Award. The judging committee will follow the national NATS Composition Award guidelines, with one exception: submissions may consist of a single piece rather than a complete song cycle. You can find those here. If your student wins, we encourage them to apply for the national award as well. Students must be participating in the auditions to be eligible and are permitted to perform their composition as part of their audition repertoire.
Fran McMillan Pinson Collaborative Pianist Award
The Fran McMillan Pinson Collaborative Pianist Award is an award to honor SCNATS collaborative pianists has been established in memory of Fran McMillan Pinson, beloved staff accompanist for The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. “Mrs. P” was such a dedicated collaborative pianist for AU students not only in NATS
Student Auditions and but in every musical endeavor. This award has been established by Deirdre Welborn to honor Fran’s generous, feisty spirit and tireless dedication to her craft and her beloved students. Mr. Jim Pinson has established an endowment to ensure that the award continues to be given for many years to come. Fran passed away on June 19, 2020, after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer.
Fran McMillan Pinson, a lifelong music educator, musician, mother, and loving wife died June 19, 2020 at home. She was born in Colleton County, South Carolina and graduated from Bells High School, Ruffin, SC and from Furman University in 1964 with a BA in Arts. Fran studied at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Masters of Piano Pedagogy program 1984-1986. Fran was a lifetime member of the Music Teachers National Association and taught privately from 1964 to May 2020 teaching hundreds of aspiring pianists and quite a few organists. As a point of great pride, several of her students are on their way to or have established careers in full-time music. While in Virginia, she chaired the Virginia State Spring/Fall Music Festivals for 9 years. She chaired the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Colonial Heights branch, VA. Upon returning to Honea Path South Carolina, she held several leadership roles including 32 years as Chair, Anderson Area National Guild of Piano, Anderson branch, SC Music Teachers state treasurer for several years, and 41 years as Chair, Anderson area Lower Piedmont Music Teachers Fallfest Auditions. Fran served as organist at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Anderson, SC from October 1989 until June 2020. Fran also served as Chair of the Anderson College Academy of Music from 1987-1994. She served as a staff accompanist at Anderson University for over 10 years, accompanying students, staff recitals and university choirs.
Student Auditions and but in every musical endeavor. This award has been established by Deirdre Welborn to honor Fran’s generous, feisty spirit and tireless dedication to her craft and her beloved students. Mr. Jim Pinson has established an endowment to ensure that the award continues to be given for many years to come. Fran passed away on June 19, 2020, after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer.
Fran McMillan Pinson, a lifelong music educator, musician, mother, and loving wife died June 19, 2020 at home. She was born in Colleton County, South Carolina and graduated from Bells High School, Ruffin, SC and from Furman University in 1964 with a BA in Arts. Fran studied at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Masters of Piano Pedagogy program 1984-1986. Fran was a lifetime member of the Music Teachers National Association and taught privately from 1964 to May 2020 teaching hundreds of aspiring pianists and quite a few organists. As a point of great pride, several of her students are on their way to or have established careers in full-time music. While in Virginia, she chaired the Virginia State Spring/Fall Music Festivals for 9 years. She chaired the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Colonial Heights branch, VA. Upon returning to Honea Path South Carolina, she held several leadership roles including 32 years as Chair, Anderson Area National Guild of Piano, Anderson branch, SC Music Teachers state treasurer for several years, and 41 years as Chair, Anderson area Lower Piedmont Music Teachers Fallfest Auditions. Fran served as organist at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Anderson, SC from October 1989 until June 2020. Fran also served as Chair of the Anderson College Academy of Music from 1987-1994. She served as a staff accompanist at Anderson University for over 10 years, accompanying students, staff recitals and university choirs.
Deanna H. McBroom Singer of the Year Award
The Deanna H. McBroom Singer of the Year Award is presented in her memory to recognize outstanding achievement in vocal performance at the SCNATS Student Auditions. Recipients are selected following the Honors Recital, with two Singer of the Year awards presented: one to an outstanding singer from the Children, Youth, or High School divisions, and one to an outstanding singer from the College divisions.
The award honors the life and legacy of Deanna H. McBroom, a distinguished voice teacher, performer, clinician, and advocate for vocal health whose career reflected a lifelong commitment to the artistic voice. This award is made possible first through the generosity of Deanna’s dear friend and research colleague, Dr. Lucinda Halstead.
Professor Emerita of Voice and retired Director of the Voice Program at the College of Charleston, Deanna was respected nationally and internationally for her work as a singer, educator, and specialist in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of voice injuries in singers.
Deanna earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in voice and music education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in voice, summa cum laude, from the University of Louisville, where she received the Dean’s Citation for Academic Excellence. During her graduate studies, she was a multiple winner of the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions, an international finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, and the Foundation Prize winner in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Awards national competition in Chicago.
As a performer, Deanna was praised for her “genuinely beautiful and exciting voice” and “brilliant musicianship.” Her extensive performing career included more than 40 solo and oratorio roles with orchestra and leading roles in more than 30 operas. She brought this wealth of professional experience to her students at the College of Charleston and to the many singers, teachers, and voice professionals she encountered throughout her career.
Deanna was particularly devoted to the health and longevity of the singing voice. She lectured nationally and internationally on the treatment and prevention of voice injuries and on wellness for singers. For many years, she served as the NATS liaison to the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) and as a liaison among PAMA, NATS, the Voice Foundation, and Athletes and the Arts. She served on the PAMA Board of Directors from 2022–2024, founded and chaired its Educators Special Interest Group, and organized the Participants Recital for many years.
Her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration was central to her work. Beginning in 1988, Deanna served as voice faculty for the Spoleto Symposium: Medicine in the Vocal Arts and remained its principal voice faculty member until the symposium concluded in 2006. For nearly four decades, she collaborated with medical and voice professionals to help singers of many styles regain healthy function and, in many cases, return to their careers. Her curiosity, musicianship, generosity, and sense of humor made her an especially valued colleague.
Those who knew Deanna remember not only the extraordinary musician and teacher, but also the joy she brought to her work. Her professional travels throughout the United States and Europe were filled with teaching, research, music, friendship, and laughter. Even after decades of collaboration, she remained excited about what there was still to discover and eager to share that knowledge with the next generation of singers and teachers.
Deanna H. McBroom died at home at the age of 73, three weeks after undergoing back surgery. She is survived by her husband, two children, and many grandchildren. Her legacy continues through her students, colleagues, collaborators, and the countless singers whose lives and voices were strengthened by her work.
The Deanna H. McBroom Singer of the Year Award celebrates that legacy by recognizing young artists who demonstrate the excellence, musicianship, and dedication to singing that defined Deanna’s life and career.
The award honors the life and legacy of Deanna H. McBroom, a distinguished voice teacher, performer, clinician, and advocate for vocal health whose career reflected a lifelong commitment to the artistic voice. This award is made possible first through the generosity of Deanna’s dear friend and research colleague, Dr. Lucinda Halstead.
Professor Emerita of Voice and retired Director of the Voice Program at the College of Charleston, Deanna was respected nationally and internationally for her work as a singer, educator, and specialist in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of voice injuries in singers.
Deanna earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in voice and music education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in voice, summa cum laude, from the University of Louisville, where she received the Dean’s Citation for Academic Excellence. During her graduate studies, she was a multiple winner of the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions, an international finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, and the Foundation Prize winner in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Awards national competition in Chicago.
As a performer, Deanna was praised for her “genuinely beautiful and exciting voice” and “brilliant musicianship.” Her extensive performing career included more than 40 solo and oratorio roles with orchestra and leading roles in more than 30 operas. She brought this wealth of professional experience to her students at the College of Charleston and to the many singers, teachers, and voice professionals she encountered throughout her career.
Deanna was particularly devoted to the health and longevity of the singing voice. She lectured nationally and internationally on the treatment and prevention of voice injuries and on wellness for singers. For many years, she served as the NATS liaison to the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) and as a liaison among PAMA, NATS, the Voice Foundation, and Athletes and the Arts. She served on the PAMA Board of Directors from 2022–2024, founded and chaired its Educators Special Interest Group, and organized the Participants Recital for many years.
Her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration was central to her work. Beginning in 1988, Deanna served as voice faculty for the Spoleto Symposium: Medicine in the Vocal Arts and remained its principal voice faculty member until the symposium concluded in 2006. For nearly four decades, she collaborated with medical and voice professionals to help singers of many styles regain healthy function and, in many cases, return to their careers. Her curiosity, musicianship, generosity, and sense of humor made her an especially valued colleague.
Those who knew Deanna remember not only the extraordinary musician and teacher, but also the joy she brought to her work. Her professional travels throughout the United States and Europe were filled with teaching, research, music, friendship, and laughter. Even after decades of collaboration, she remained excited about what there was still to discover and eager to share that knowledge with the next generation of singers and teachers.
Deanna H. McBroom died at home at the age of 73, three weeks after undergoing back surgery. She is survived by her husband, two children, and many grandchildren. Her legacy continues through her students, colleagues, collaborators, and the countless singers whose lives and voices were strengthened by her work.
The Deanna H. McBroom Singer of the Year Award celebrates that legacy by recognizing young artists who demonstrate the excellence, musicianship, and dedication to singing that defined Deanna’s life and career.