Of Charlatans, Humbugs, and Pocketbooks: Advocacy of Standards, Education, and Certification for Voice Teachers in The Bulletin of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, 1944-1954

Abstract

ABSTRACT The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is the largest organization of voice teachers in the world with over 7,000 members. This historical investigation tells the story of the five founding presidents of NATS, all of whom who advocated standards, education, and certification for voice teachers through their writings—and the writings of the leaders they appointed—in The Bulletin (1944–1954), the primary publication of the association. The author argues that the “pocketbook” theme of financial self-interest and protection, which initially propelled their efforts to regulate voice teaching, eventually led to the abandonment of this initial goal. NATS leaders soon realized that if they continued to insist upon an exclusive organization that favored stringent membership requirements and advocated the highest standards for voice teacher education and certification, they would soon lose the “pocketbooks” of the current and future members needed to keep the organization alive and viable.