November 2024

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

November 22 I All-State Jazz Choir Registration Deadline

November 23 I 6789 Honors Choir Rehearsal

December 6 I All State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble Audition Deadline

December 7 I High School Regional Honors Choir - State Auditions

December 7 I All-State Jazz Choir Rehearsal, Notes & Rhythms

December 13 I High School State Honors Choir Registration Closes

December 13 I Art Song Intensive Registration Opens

December 15 I Board of Directors Reports Due

December 20 I All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble Registration Closes

Adjudication Conference

January 23, 2025

Imperial Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza

8 AM – 1 PM

Virginia Kerwin

retired choral teacher

Big Rapids Public Schools

choral adjudication clinician 

Jolene Plotzke

retired music education teacher

Rochester Community Schools

sight reading clinician 

State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH)

4.25 SCECH credits will be available for completion of the Adjudication Conference.

SCECH fee is $30. 

Have you thought about becoming an adjudicator but are unsure of the process? MSVMA offers professional development opportunities to assist our students and teachers to understand the role of meaningful, supportive adjudication including rubric use to increase their knowledge and enhance their performance of vocal music. All MSVMA members are encouraged to attend to learn more about adjudication and ask questions about the process.

Make plans to join us! To ensure that we have an adequate supply of Conference materials,

please register for this no-cost event at the link above. If you wish to receive SCECHs (State Continuing Education Credit Hours) for your attendance, the fee is $30 and may be paid on the website when you register or at the Conference in-person. 

For more information, please contact:

Kelli Falls, Adjudication Scheduling Coordinator at kellifalls@msvma.org



Hello MSMVA members from the Adjudication Committee!

We hope your school year is going well! It was great to see many of you at the Musical Theater Solo and Ensembles! We have such talent in Michigan and that’s because of you! Your dedication and hard work is noticed and appreciated!

The strong organization known as MSVMA comes from its investment in the members of the organization and the long-standing tradition of providing meaningful musical experiences for both teachers and their students. All Solo & Ensemble and Festival experiences celebrate accomplishments and help students and teachers grow as active musicians.

Adjudicators and teachers should be informed and respected while also being inspired. The goal is that every participant walks away receiving affirmation as a singing artist, having been encouraged/challenged with ideas or methods to improve and grow. Most importantly leaving with the desire to continue to sing.

Read more

Submitted by Kelli Falls, Adjudication Scheduling Coordinator

Dr. Emily Williams Burch

Headliner

The 2025 Summer Conference will feature

Dr. Emily Williams Burch Coordinator of Music Education and Professor at the University of South Carolina, Aiken, Dr. Burch is also the Founder/Artistic Director of RISE Chorales and RISE Outreach. 

Biography

Headliner Sessions

The Business of Choir - Communicating value and making the most of this business

Break it Down - Focusing on ways to teach, rehearse, review, and memorize

Tossing in Creativity - Exploring ways to tap into your student’s improv skills

One of District 1’s most cherished events is our annual Mass Choral Festival, which was led this year by Jeffrey Cobb, esteemed composer and choral director at Northwestern Michigan College. 

Participation included over 200 students who sang with the purpose of having fun and experiencing unity among District 1 schools. Students were assured that the festival was to gather together to support one another and enjoy singing together with no pressure or stress. Parents were invited for the day or to enjoy the mini-concert at the conclusion of the day. 

As clinician for the day, Jeff Cobb offered students and directors many techniques for creating musicality and artistry within each piece of music, while also giving them warm-ups, tools, and ideas to take back to the classroom. Our tenors and basses also got the unique opportunity to work with the composer of their piece!

Mass Choral Festival was held on Wednesday, October 23 at McBain High School. 

This year’s repertoire was: 

SATB: The Awakening - Joseph Martin

SSA: Children, Go Where I Send Thee - arr. Kevin Phillip Johnson

TTB: When the Drive Goes Down - Jeffrey Cobb

Thank you to all of the District 1 directors and students for participating in this wonderful day, to

Jill Nevereth and McBain students and admin for hosting, and to Jeff Cobb for sharing your time and talents with us!

Submitted by Amy Schroeder, Director of All-State

Homeschool Connection Choir

Troy High Madrigal Singers

Oakland Chorale

The 2024 MSVMA Chamber Festival was a success at Oakland University. Nine choirs from seven different schools gathered to share their music with one another - met with joyous support and cheers. We heard a variety of music, from Renaissance to modern musical theater arrangements. Afterwards, the Oakland Chorale gave a spectacular performance and showed our high school students what might be waiting for them if they pursue music in the future. Special thanks to Dr. Mike Mitchell for hosting and giving the next generation of musicians a space to create together! 

Submitted by Erin Kurtz, Chamber Festival Coordinator

Redford Union Madrigal Chorale

Marine City Chamber Singers

Lake Orion Chorale

Portage Northern High School and Portage North Middle School

Vincent Brow

AJ Brow

Jane Tran

Photos submitted by Chelsea Whiteoak, MT S&E Festival Coordinator

Dundee High School and Dundee Middle School

Dundee Descants

Izzy England

Lukas Neirkirk & Alexis Pollock

Livi Schramm & Damien Keen

Photos submitted by Megan Sinclair, Director of Specialized Festivals

Early Bird Rate for Friday/Saturday - $110 and after December 13 - $140

If you can only attend ONE DAY of the conference - $80 Early Rate; $105 after December 13

Check out our pre-conference sessions on Thursday, January 23. The fun starts early!

MSVMA Adjudication Conference

8 AM - 1 PM in the Imperial Ballroom

4.25 SCECHS credits are available

If you have considered being an adjudicator for MSVMA, plan to attend the Adjudication Conference on Thursday, January 23 in the Imperial Ballroom. Virginia Kerwin will be the choral adjudication clinician and Jolene Plotzke will be serving as the sight-reading clinician. If you are a new teacher, you are welcome to attend as well. Attending the Adjudication Conference is a great way to learn about the process and educational goals of the festival experience.  

MSVMA Choral Conducting Symposium

Dr. Amon Eady

Director of Choral Activities, Central Michigan University

9 AM – 11 AM

Additional fee for this session; fee does not include lunch

$40 - Conducting Member; $20 - Observer Member

20-minute sessions with six participant conductors, focusing on conducting and rehearsal technique. This pre-conference event will allow participants to conduct traditional choral repertoire with a featured rehearsal ensemble, and receive live feedback and instruction from a guest clinician. Teachers have the opportunity to apply as either a Conductor or as an Observer (reduced fee). College students may apply as an Observer. Both new and experienced choral conductors can benefit from observing or conducting. 

MSVMA Collegiate Networking Sessions

4 PM - 7 PM in the Imperial Ballroom

There are three interest sessions being offered on Thursday. These sessions are open to anyone and there is no additional charge to attend. Collegiate members as well as professionals who are just getting started in their education career are encouraged to attend.

4 PM MSVMA Partner Program Meet and Greet - Sarah Stockton

5 PM Organize to Energize: Building Your Student Organization from the Ground Up

- Claire Gilling and Lauren Geates, CMU

6 PM I Survived My First Year of Teaching - Alex Cross, Hopkins Public Schools

Hope to see you there!

Thankfulness. 

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, our thoughts go to those people and organizations that enhance our lives and make our experiences meaningful. We trust that your involvement in MSVMA events and activities bring enriched learning opportunities to you and your students. The generational membership appreciation that supports our organizational values is encouraging to all of us. We gratefully observe veteran teachers celebrating the success of those they have mentored - officially as supervising teachers or as colleagues extending their assistance and support. The MSVMA Discussion Group is a real-time example of how we help each other with the day to day challenges of striving to offer the finest opportunities in vocal music education to our students.

Consider making a gift to MSVMA to honor someone who has made a difference in your life and career. Did you have an exceptional student teaching experience? Remind your supervising teacher that their guidance and attention to your development helped you by making a gift in their honor. Have someone who you discuss all things programming or classroom management or technology who always shares great ideas and makes helpful suggestions? Say thank you by making a gift in their honor. And that person who cheers you on when you need it and applauds your successes with enthusiasm, express your gratitude by making a gift to honor your appreciation of their support.

Make a charitable gift to MSVMA. 

Gift designation options include:

• General Fund which can be designated to the honors choir program, specialized festivals, state level festivals or other specific programs and activities
• Education Endowment (Grant & Scholarship Programs)
• Professional development including the Clinician/Consultant Program
• Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship
• Carolyn F. Leep Endowment

Consider a monthly gift of $10. 

Your generosity will provide ongoing support to help meet the increasing costs of our programming. We do our best to keep membership fees and event registration costs as low as possible. You can be part of achieving this goal. 

These giving opportunities are available to you at MSVMA.org by clicking the donate button. 

Create a lasting legacy by including MSVMA in your will. 

There are a number of ways to make a planned gift though your will which can include tax advantages to you and your family. 

• Designate MSVMA as a beneficiary in your estate plan by a bequest.
• Name MSVMA as a beneficiary of an IRA.
• Name MSVMA as a beneficiary of a retirement plan.
• Name MSVMA as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
• Transfer ownership of a life insurance policy to MSVMA.

I you would like assistance or information about making a gift to MSVMA, please contact Executive Director Erik Jacobson (erikjacobson@msvma.org), or Director of Operations Debra Jacks (debrajacks@msvma.org) or by phone at 231.592.9344.

2025 Rising Stars Voice Competition

The application site is now open for the Eastern Michigan University School of Music & Dance 

2025 Rising Stars Voice Competition.  Prizes include cash awards, possible participation in the EMU honors voice recital, and free solo & ensemble coachings or visits to work with your students from EMU voice faculty for 2 participating schools.

Competition Date: Feb. 2, 2025 at 3:00pm

Location: EMU Alexander Recital Hall

Registration materials are due on December 16

Submitted by Dr. Robert Peavler, Professor of Voice, Eastern Michigan University