Westminster College music students Claudia Brown and Alexandra Patterson placed in the annual Tri-State Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) vocal competition Oct. 31 at the Civic Light Opera Academy of Musical Theater in Pittsburgh.

Over 140 vocalists competed in either classical or musical theater in high school, college, and adult divisions.

Brown, who studies with Westminster adjunct music faculty Janet Kane, placed second in the classical category for college senior women. A sacred music and music education major, Brown is a daughter of Ronald Brown of Pittsburgh and Gaynelle Shepherd of Sierra Vista, Ariz. She is a graduate of North Hills High School.

Patterson, who studies with Dr. Anne Hagan Bentz, Westminster associate professor of music and president of Tri-State NATS, placed third in the classical category for college freshman women. A music performance major, Patterson is a daughter of Laurence and Laurette Patterson of Saxonburg and a graduate of Knoch High School.

Also participating in the competition from Westminster was Alicia Pabrinkis, who studies with Kane. Pabrinkis, a sophomore music education major, is a daughter of Karen Dodson of Pittsford, N.Y., and John Pabrinkis of Rochester, N.Y. She is a graduate of Pittsford Mendon High School.

Contact Bentz at (724) 946-6045 or e-mail bentzah@westminster.edu for more information.

Alexandra Patterson (l) and Claudia Brown