October 2024

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

October 14 I All-State Jazz Choir Online Auditions Open

October 25 I High School Regional Honors Choir State Auditions Registration Deadline (midnight)

November 1 I All-State Jazz Choir Online Auditions Closes

November 2 I 6789 Honors Choirs Fees & Forms Due

November 2 I 6789 Honors Choir Rehearsal

November 2 I Musical Theatre S&E Festival Central

November 3 I Musical Theatre All-State Honors Ensemble Auditions Open

November 4 I All-State Jazz Choir Audition Results Posted

November 9 I Board of Directors Meeting

November 9 I Musical Theatre S&E Festival East

November 12 I Chamber Choir Festival

November 15 I Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship Applications Due

November 16 I Musical Theatre S&E Festival West

November 22 I All-State Jazz Choir Registration Deadline

November 23 I 6789 Honors Choirs Rehearsal

Adjudication Conference

January 23, 2025

Imperial Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza

8 AM – 1 PM

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

The Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship was established in 1988 in honor of Carolyn‘s service to

Michigan School Vocal Music Association. 

The scholarship is awarded to an MSVMA member in January and must be used by the end of the next calendar year. Scholarship applicants must be: 

• Pursuing an advanced degree or a interested in enrolling in a non-degree choral music institute or workshop
• An MSVMA member with at least three years teaching experience in Michigan
• Able to return to MSVMA activities after using the scholarship

Applications will be reviewed by the Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship Committee which is chaired by the Past President Gail Worden. Applicants must be available for an interview via video conference prior to the Michigan Music Conference.

The application deadline is November 15.

For more information, visit msvma.org/CarolynLeepScholarship.

2025 Michigan Music Conference - January 23 - 25, 2025

The 2025 Michigan Music Conference will feature Dr. Amanda Quist from Western Michigan University as the MSVMA headliner. Dr. Quist joined WMU’s Irving S. Gilmore School of Music as Director of Choral Activities beginning September 2024. The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and New York Classical Review have described Amanda Quist’s work as “transformative,” “beautifully prepared, gripping,” “bridging the vocal and instrumental textures with perfect intonation,” and “leaving the audience breathless.” We look forward to Dr. Quist’s sessions at MMC.

January 24, 2025

10:30 a.m. - noon, Sessions 1 & 2, JW Marriott International Ballroom

Building Sound and Spirit

"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within -

Maya Angelou"

Our voices illuminate what is inside our mind. The potential colors of a voice or group of voices carry expressive impact into singing and the choral rehearsal and performance. This immersive session will look at the intersection of the pedagogy and science of voice in a group setting, and the spiritual nature of collective singing. Topics will include group resonance, overtones, singer's formant, easy to use software, and vocal tips and tricks that will help build the choir's sound and spirit.

January 24, 2025

2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m., Session 3, JW Marriott International Ballroom

Voicing and Seating the Choir

A session focused on methods for voicing choirs, and different options for inspiring your singers to feel engaged and comfortable as they find a space that allows their voice to shine within the group.

January 25, 2025

10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Session 4, Amway Grand Plaza

We are the Choir

This session will include repertoire that builds on the previous sessions' concepts, with an emphasis on a diverse body of composers and pieces. We will sing pieces that aid us in teaching concepts of group singing, while honoring our singers' varying backgrounds and experiences.

11 a.m. -11:45 a.m., Amway Grand Plaza

Q & A Panel Session

Submitted by Matthew Callaghan, Director of Choral Activities, Haslett Public Schools

October has been busy! On October 5, Portage Central hosted MSVMA's Musical Theatre Intensive. One hundred students were selected (over 130 auditioned!) to attend this exciting event. The students rotated in groups of twenty-five and got the chance to work with esteemed clinicians from the University of Michigan. Of those one hundred students, eight students were recognized for their work and the top two performers were selected to perform at the Michigan Music Conference, as well as secured spots in the Musical Theatre All-State Ensemble.

Results: 

MMC Selected Soloist 1 & MT Honors Ensemble

Truman Columbus, Walled Lake Northern High School

MMC Selected Soloist 2 & MT Honors Ensemble

Dale Mylod, Detroit Country Day School

MMC Alternate 1

Zoe Burrel, Wylie E. Groves High School

MMC Alternate 2

Moses Williams, Livonia Churchill High School

Top 8

Carly Koch, KRESA

Laila Robleh, Wylie E. Groves High School

Emmanuel Morgan, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School

Morgan Marshall, Cedar Spring High School

Submitted by Megan Sinclair, Director of Specialized Festivals

The third annual District 3 Middle School Vocal Arts Day was a smashing success! 385 students from 11 districts participated; each school was represented by a different shirt color.

Carman Ainsworth (blue)

Davison (navy)

Durand (pink)

Eaton Rapids (light blue)

Flushing (sand)

Grand Blanc East (red)

Grand Blanc West (gold)

Holmes STEM Middle School Academy (black)

Kearsley (gray), Milan (neon green)

Swartz Creek (white).

Shayla Powell, director of Milan middle and high school choirs, was an engaging clinician who left the kids wanting more! Repertoire was Hold Me, Rock Me (Brian Tate), I Want to Sing (Richard McKee), and Rhythm of Life (Dorothy Fields, Cy Coleman, arr. Roger Emerson). Rebecca Holt was a fabulous collaborative pianist. Our wonderful host was the University of Michigan, Flint. Students enjoyed singing in the auditorium and eating together outside. Gabriela Hristova, choir director and teacher at the University, along with some of her students, also talked to the middle schoolers about what it's like to pursue music in college, and encouraged them that these opportunities are more available than they might think!

District 3 has received positive feedback from students and teachers and is looking forward to next year's D3 Middle School Vocal Arts Day! 

Submitted by Michelle Wilson, District 3 Manager

On Wednesday, October 2nd, District 9 held its first Choir Invitational. Over 200 students from 6 different schools came together to work with our guest clinician, Dr. Amon Eady, and our talented collaborative pianist, Kevin Salsbury. Singers spent the day preparing 3 pieces and getting to know each other during our fun break-out sessions. We concluded our day with a final performance of our pieces.

Huge thank you to Dr. Eady and Mr. Salsbury for sharing their wisdom and talents with us, and huge thank you to the schools of District 9 for making this day happen!

Submitted by Natalie Smith, Director of Choirs, District 9 Manager