Video and Copyright Rules

Video Instructions

Please read the following instructions very carefully.  Failure to follow these instructions could result in student disqualification, which nobody wants.

Videos should:

  • Be unedited, without zooms, pans or changing camera angles. Exception: Introductory slates may be edited in at the beginning

  • Be filmed horizontally. This is very important, to avoid being classified as a Short on YouTube.

  • Be filmed on or after September 1, 2025.

  • Have the singer visible from at least the waist up, from a fixed camera angle.

  • Include only one selection per video

  • Include an introduction or slate.  This can be edited in, and can be in the form of a slide or a live introduction.

  • NOT have any mention of teacher, studio, NATS chapter, or school/university.  This includes the YouTube channel name, titles, and notes.

  • Have the following YouTube settings:

    • Set as Unlisted

    • Comments turned off

    • Title as follows: NATS NSA- Student name

    • Description should have the following information:

      • Title of Selection

      • Larger Work

      • Composer (and lyricist for MT)

Performances should:

  • Include accompaniment.  For Musical Theater and Classical categories, this must be piano accompaniment ONLY, provided by either a live accompanist or a recorded accompaniment. If the teacher is the accompanist, they may not be visible/identifiable in the video. 

  • For Commercial Music, instrumental tracks may be used, or students can accompany themselves on a limited number of selections (*see category rules). No backing vocals are permitted.

  • Be memorized.  Exception: Oratorio arias in the Classical category.

  • Contain the full selection. Cuts may be made in piano introductions, interludes, and postludes, but not in the vocal line.

  • Be unamplified in Classical, American Spiritual, and Musical Theater Categories.  Microphone use for recording is acceptable; amplification is not.

  • Commercial Music students must have a visible microphone in all video selections.

Please note, the category time limits are designed for in-person competitions. Judges will stop listening after the time limit is reached in video auditions as well, and that should be taken into consideration in repertoire selection.  However, teachers and students should not cut their selections to accommodate the time limits; this will result in students having to sing for comments only.  Teachers may mark starting selections in Auditionware with a 1 (eg. 1. Ch’il bel sogno).

Full national instructions are to the right (pdf).  

Copyright

2025 CWR Regional Hybrid Conference and Auditions

Copyright Policy

The National Association of Teachers of Singing endorses a strict policy regarding copyright laws. The use of photocopied music is prohibited at all NATS sponsored events, from the national to the chapter level.  We encourage all students to own their own music from which the collaborative pianists can play.  It is the right thing to do as it give the composers, poets, and publishers the financial support they are due.  

Teachers,  students and collaborative pianists will be required to check a box stating they agree to abide by the NATS copyright policy in order to participate. 

For more information click here:   https://www.nats.org/Copyright_Resources.html  

and here regarding tablet usage:   https://www.nats.org/Frequently_Asked_Questions_-_NSA.html 

Exceptions are: 

1. Music that is out of print, still under copyright law, with permission from a publisher. 

2. Sheet music or books for which the copyright has expired, but available in CD format. (e.g., CD Sheet Music). Performers must be prepared to present proof of ownership upon request. 

3.  Sheet music purchased legally from an online vendor.  Such music should have either a separate page proving the performer has purchased such OR a copyright notice at the bottom of the music that includes the performer’s name.  Performers must be prepared to present proof of ownership upon request. 

4.  Music available from approved public domain websites.  Performers should take particular care when accessing these sites as some do not guarantee that all works are indeed in the public domain.  Current approved online public domain sites are: www.imslp.org www.sheetmusicarchive.net https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/handle/1774.2/2085 

Questions? Email auditions@calwestnats.org