Vocal Music
The MSA Vocal Music Program is a dynamic department comprised of five active ensembles. Each group is part of an overall community of vocalists who are devoted to their craft and work daily to engage in an art form that inspires and empowers. MSA Vocal Music students have been fortunate to work with professional teaching artists who offer outside experiences and college-level training. Our ensembles participate in multiple performances on and off campus and frequently collaborate with other MSA programs – as with performing with Jazz Bands during the annual Big Band Dance and working with the Dance Program during their annual Spring Concert.
MSA offers both Advanced Treble Choir and Treble Choir programs. Together they make up a close-knit community of young women with different levels of musicality and experience. The ensembles work on pieces of many varieties from classical to spiritual to modern. The group strives to improve both personal and communal musical knowledge. Treble Choirs participate in many festivals such as CMEA and have received many superior scores. Students apply themselves to the work in order to express their passion in music and to learn and grow as individuals.
Concert Choir is a group of auditioned singers that perform mostly classical choral literature throughout the generations. The ensemble includes talented men and women who strive to improve as singers and contribute as members of our community. They work to strengthen vocal technique and musicality and enjoy singing separate parts to make a united whole. The group performs around the area and attends festivals, such as regional California Music Educators Association (CMEA) festivals, each year.
MSA Vocal Music includes Jazz Choir Two and Advanced Jazz Choir. Members are placed in each group by annual placement auditions and both groups include dedicated students who sing Vocal Jazz literature. Both choirs perform, travel, and compete in festivals around the area. Jazz Choir members value professionalism, creativity, and musical exploration. The Advanced Jazz Choir has been finalists at the Next Gen Monterey Jazz Festival, have received unanimous superiors at multiple festivals, and were the Sweepstakes winner of the 2014 Folsom Jazz Festival Jazz Choir Division and have continued to place in every year since. The group received the Downbeat award for Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble in 2013.
Awards + Accolades
2019-2020
- Folsom Jazz Festival
- 1st place Jazz Choir 2 won
2018-2019
- Folsom Jazz Festival
- 2nd place Overall, Command performance, Jazz Choir 1
- 4th place, Jazz Choir 2
- Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival
- Vocal Soloist
Margaret Starr
