|
March 24 - State Choral Festival Registration & Payment Deadline
March 31 - State Choral Festival Late Registration Closes
April 1 - Outstanding Choir Performance Applications Due
April 10 - State S&E Festival UP
April 10 - 11 - State S&E Festival East
April 10 - 11 - State S&E Festival South
April 17 - 18 - State S&E Festival Central
April 17 - 18 - State S&E Festival West
April 27 - 29 - State Choral Festival East
April 29 - May 1 - State Choral Festival South
May 4 - 6 - State Choral Festival West
May 5 - 6 - State Choral Festival Central
May 7 - 9 - All-State Festival
| | |
All-State Festival
Outstanding Choir Application
| | |
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Up to two choirs will be chosen by blind audition to perform at the All-State Festival Gala Concert at 7PM on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Please review the eligibility guidelines before completing this application.
| | All-State Honors Choir Director | | |
Dr. Amanda Quist
Associate Professor, Director of Choral Studies
Western Michigan University
Dr. Amanda Quist joined Western Michigan University’s Irving S. Gilmore School of Music as Director of Choral Activities beginning Fall 2024. A WMU alum and Michigan native, Dr. Quist comes to Western from the University of Miami, where she has served as Director of Choral Studies for the Frost School of Music. Quist’s previous post was at Westminster Choir College, where she served as Associate Professor and Chair of the Conducting, Organ, and Sacred Music Department. She is the recipient of Westminster Choir College’s Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Mazzotti Award for Women’s Leadership. Prior to her tenure at Westminster, Dr. Quist was Director of Choral Activities at San José State University, and taught high school and middle school music in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and MM in Choral Conducting from WMU, and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas, and Doctoral Cognate in Voice Pedagogy and Science.
Quist frequently serves as a guest conductor and lecturer across the US and abroad. A professional member of the GRAMMY recording academy, Dr. Quist recently served on the Choral GRAMMY Screening Committee for the 64th awards ceremony. Her research is published in the Choral Journal, Lexington Books, and GIA Publications. Her choral compositions are published by Walton Music and GIA. Dr. Quist serves as the editor for two choral series, with Walton Music, and Gentry Publications.
| All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble Director | | |
Dr. Lara Brooks
Clinical Assistant Professor of Voice
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Lara Brooks is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she teaches classical, musical theatre, jazz, and contemporary commercial music using functional voice pedagogy to support healthy, versatile singing. Her teaching is grounded in Estill Voice Training®, contemporary voice science, and genre-specific performance practice, with an emphasis on diagnostic listening, individualized technical strategies, and transferable vocal skills. Dr. Brooks guides her students toward healthy, empowered crossover singing, emphasizing vocal flexibility, technique, and vocal health that supports a broad range of styles.
Dr. Brooks is deeply committed to student mentorship and career preparation. Her studio training emphasizes audition readiness, artistic identity, professional sustainability, and technical independence, preparing students for careers in performance, teaching, and graduate study.
To learn more about Dr. Brooks, go to www.larabrooks.com.
| Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship | |
Are you pursuing an advanced degree, wanting to learn more about a particular teaching method or wishing you had the funding to attend an upcoming workshop? Then you need to apply for the MSMVA Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1988 in honor of Carolyn‘s service to the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. In her position as head of the Choral/Vocal Department of Malecki Music Inc., Carolyn worked tirelessly for 20 years to provide MSVMA members with the materials to better perform our jobs as music educators.
Traditionally, the scholarship has been awarded to an MSVMA member in January at the Michigan Music Conference. This year, it has come to our attention that many universities do not announce acceptance until December 1 for graduate studies. This date falls after our deadline. With this in mind, it has been decided to move the award to align with the academic calendar. We will accept applications until May 15, 2026. The award will need to be used during the following academic year. The application form and eligibility details can be found on the MSVMA website under the Resources, Grants and Scholarships tab.
For more information, visit msvma.org/CarolynLeepScholarship
| Choral Music Education College Scholarship | |
The Michigan School Vocal Music Association is proud to offer one, $10,000 scholarship to
an outstanding high school choral student who is pursuing a degree in choral music education.
The scholarship is paid in increments of $1,250 per semester for the duration of a 4-year
college degree.
To be eligible, the following requirements must be met or maintained:
- Applicant must graduate from a High School member school of MSVMA
- Applicant must attend one of the following collegiate music programs for choral music education:
Adrian College
Albion College
Alma College
Andrew's University
Aquinas College
Central Michigan University
Cornerstone University
Eastern Michigan University
Grand Valley State University
Hope College
Michigan State University
Northern Michigan University
Oakland University
Saginaw Valley State University
Spring Arbor University
University of Michigan
Wayne State University
Western Michigan University
- Applicant must be accepted to a collegiate music program before applying.
- Scholarship recipient must maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain in good standing in their respective degree programs as a full-time student.
The application deadline is May 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic school year. The recipient will be contacted by mid-May.
| | 2027 MMC Session Submissions | | The Michigan Music Conference Planning Committee is accepting session proposals for next year's conference. If you have an idea that you would like to present to your fellow music educators, complete the Session Submission Application by April 24, 2026. The conference is scheduled for January 21-23, 2027. We look forward to another great conference of engaging presentations and beautiful performances! | 2027 MMC Choral Hour Submissions | |
MSVMA is proud to feature outstanding ensembles at the Michigan Music Conference. We are privileged to showcase ensembles annually, chosen by a blind panel of vocal music professionals.
Traditional Choral Hour Requirements
This is open to JHMS and HS choral ensembles.
- JHMS Choirs: Two selections must be from the current school year. The third must be from one of the two previous years. At least one of the three selections should be a cappella or a cappella with non-pitched percussion if available.
- HS Choirs: Two selections must be from the current school year. The third must be from one of the two previous years. At least one of the three selections should be a cappella.
The selected choirs will perform a 20 minute set at the Michigan Music Conference during the Friday Choral Hour in the JW Marriott Ballroom.
Specialized Choral Hour Requirements
Open to specialized choral performances including but not limited to Jazz, Pop, A Cappella, Gospel, Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Barbershop, Non-Western traditional and other alternative genres.
- JHMS and HS Choirs: Two selections must be from the current school year. The third must be from one of the two previous years. A cappella is not required for Specialized Choral Hour.
The selected Choir will perform 15 minutes of music at the Michigan Music Conference at the afternoon concert in the JW Marriott Ballroom and will precede the MSVMA All-State Jazz Honors Choir.
Application deadline: May 15, 2026
| | |
Directors may order plaques for choirs receiving Excellent (Division I) at District and State Choral Festivals by going to the Plaque Order Form.
New for 2026:
Directors may also order plaques for earning Good (Division II) or The Festival Experience (no rating notated).
Paid orders of $50.00 per plaque will be placed by the State Office on April 15 and June 30. Plaques will be shipped to the address indicated on the Plaque Order Form.
Directors who would like to order plaques for years prior to 2024 may contact the State Office.
| Choral Student Leadership Conference | | |
Dr. Emily Williams Burch
Headliner
| | | |
Dr. Emily Williams Burch began teaching in 2007, including founding and directing community choirs, teaching in public schools, training in professional development settings, and as an instructor at the university level. Currently a Professor of Music at The Savannah College of Art and Design, previously, Burch served as Coordinator of Music Education at the University of South Carolina, Aiken. As a volunteer, Dr. Burch serves as Chair for the ACDA National Standing Committee for Advocacy and Collaboration where she puts into practice her experiences founding and directing LLCs and Non-Profits. She is also an at-large member for the NAfME Council for Choral Education. As a published author, Burch co-wrote “The Business of Choir” in 2022. You can also catch Dr. Burch on her podcast “Music (ed) Matters” or co-hosting “The Illuminate Podcast” wherever you listen to podcasts, or follow her adventures running and pacing marathons all over the world at @elevatedrunningandpacing.
Go to emilyburch.org to learn more.
| | |
Now in its 60th year, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is proud to offer outstanding summer programs for vocal music students led by distinguished conductors and faculty. Our vocal program supports students of all abilities, from grades 7 - 12. Significant scholarship assistance remains available for vocalists in the upcoming season.
Schedule a Scholarship Representative: Contact the Scholarship Office at scholarships@bluelake.org or 800-221-3796 x202 to request a visit from a Blue Lake vocal music representative in your area. Representatives are scheduling appointments now, and are ready to meet your students to share more about Blue Lake and the scholarships that are available to help with camp tuition.
Students can also apply for tuition support independently: Direct students to Blue Lake Scholarships where they can apply independently for a scholarship to help with camp tuition. Merit, Financial Need, Advanced Programs, and All-State Honors scholarships are available.
Nominate a New Student: You may also nominate a student for an Arts Educator Award valued at $475 toward Blue Lake’s camp tuition for all arts areas and instruments. Visit Arts Educator Nomination to complete the application. Note that these introductory scholarships are only available to new-to-Blue Lake students who are not alumni and not currently enrolled.
Camp Registration IS OPEN!
Since 1966, Blue Lake has provided students with motivating musical experiences in a great environment filled with artistic growth and a good dose of camp fun. All abilities welcome, no application fee, and no audition required to enroll. We look forward to welcoming your students this summer!
| | |
The MSU College of Music closes its Worthington Family Foundation Opera Theatre Season with a compelling double bill of Italian opera, Puccini and Rossini: Operas of Consequence and Comedy, March 25, 27–29 in Fairchild Theatre, MSU Auditorium.
This fully staged and costumed production pairs two contrasting one-act works—Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Rossini’s La Cambiale di Matrimonio (The Marriage Contract)—performed with the MSU Symphony Orchestra. Puccini’s score supports the opera’s intimate and dramatic story with soaring vocal lines and expressive orchestration. In contrast, Rossini’s lively music moves quickly, with crisp rhythm and energy that highlight his early comic style. Performances are on Wednesday, March 25; Friday and Saturday, March 27–28, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 29, at 3:00 p.m.
Puccini’s Suor Angelica tells the poignant story of a noblewoman forced into a convent, whose encounter with her estranged aunt leads to a powerful and emotional climax. Puccini’s sweeping lyricism and dramatic intensity frame a story of sacrifice, maternal love, and redemption.
In contrast, Rossini’s first opera, La Cambiale di Matrimonio, offers a fast-moving farce centered on an arranged marriage gone awry. Sparkling ensembles and youthful energy define the score, showcasing Rossini’s gift for comic timing and vocal agility.
“Presenting these two productions together highlights the remarkable expressive range the art form of opera can deliver,” said Melanie Helton, professor of voice and director of MSU Opera Theatre. “One invites reflection through deeply personal sacrifice, while the other celebrates wit and comic chaos. For our students, it’s an opportunity to inhabit two very different musical worlds in a single evening. And for our patrons, it offers a rare immersion in the full spectrum of human experience.”
Conducted by Katherine Kilburn and directed by Helton, the production features set design by Matty Peterson and lighting design by Brent Wrobel. Both operas are sung in Italian with English surtitles.
The performances are generously sponsored by Susan Davis; the Eleanor H. and Harold E. Leichenko Opera Endowment established by Lauren Julius Harris; and the Richard and Joan Witter Endowment for MSU Opera Theatre. The entire Opera Theatre Season is underwritten by the Worthington Family Foundation.
| Tickets for Puccini and Rossini: Operas of Consequence and Comedy at the Fairchild Theatre are available through the MSU Music box office at music.msu.edu/events or by phone at 517-353-5340. Reserved seating tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors (age 60 and older) and $14 for students. Information about other concerts, recitals and performances in the 2025-2026 MSU Music Season can be found online. | |
Some of the very best chamber musicians from the Michigan State University College of Music will take the stage for the sixth annual Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition Showcase, Sunday, April 12 at 1:00 p.m. in Cook Recital Hall.
The annual showcase offers audiences a unique opportunity to hear talented student performers in a variety of chamber music groups. Six groups will compete, representing a range of instrumentations including a saxophone quartet, brass quintet, piano trio, string quartet, clarinet trio, and brass quartet.
| |
Altimara, a percussion quartet, earned first-place honors at the fifth annual Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition Showcase. Members include Angel Hernandez, Isaac Hinshaw, Cadence Miller, and Margaret Parker.
Each group has meticulously rehearsed a program chosen to highlight their unique strengths. Groups will have 20 minutes to perform from the stage, with judges selecting works from their prepared repertoire—creating an element of anticipation for both the performers and the audience. Short breaks between groups allow judges to refine their scoring, followed by final deliberations and an intermission before the concert concludes with an awards presentation recognizing top finishers with cash prizes.
| |
“This event really shows what chamber music is all about,” said Yvonne Lam, assistant professor of violin and coordinator of chamber music at MSU. “These groups spend months working together to shape their sound and interpretation as a team. It’s inspiring to see the level of artistry they bring to the stage, and audiences get to experience the energy and creativity that comes from musicians performing at such a high level together.”
This year’s guest judges include Benjamin Hoffman, assistant professor of violin at Bowling Green State University; Ralph Skiano, principal clarinet of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; and Robert White, professor of trumpet at Western Michigan University.
The six competing groups include both graduate and undergraduate musicians from the College of Music:
Astra Quartet – saxophone quartet
Brown Squirrel – brass quintet
Leonidas – brass quartet
Lumiére Trio – piano trio (violin, cello, piano)
Red Cedar Quartet – string quartet
Tayovan Trio – clarinet trio (violin, clarinet, piano)
| |
For more details about each competing group and their prepared scores, visit the Wagner Chamber Music Competition event page posted online. The chamber music competition program and concert are generously sponsored by Barbara E. Wagner.
General admission tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (60+), and free for students with ID and anyone under 18 (ticket still required). Tickets are available at the door, online at music.msu.edu/events, or by calling (517) 353-5340; tickets purchased online or by phone include a $1.50 processing fee.
| |
MSVMA Music Teacher Appreciation Night!
Fox Theatre
Thursday, April 2 @ 7:30 PM
All tickets include an exclusive Music Man tumbler!
Order your tickets at:
www.313promos.com/msvma
Can’t make Music Teacher Appreciation Night?
No problem! You can still purchase discounted tickets for Friday or Saturday night.
Questions or want to order by phone?
Call 313.471.3282
This event is sponsored by 313 Presents.
| | | | |
