Conference Performances

The MSVMA All-State Festival celebrates excellence in high school vocal music across Michigan.  Organized by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association, the All-State Festival features two outstanding choirs, top soloists, and the All-State Honors Choir.  The All-State Festival was established in 2022.

The Michigan Youth Arts Festival (MYAF) was a comprehensive arts spectacular, featuring the finest high school talent in Michigan in music, theater, and dance. The Michigan Youth Arts Festival is the culmination of a nine-month search for the finest artistic talent in Michigan high schools. More than 250,000 students statewide participated in the adjudication process that resulted in nearly 1,000 being invited to participate in the annual three-day arts spectacular held in May. At the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, Michigan’s exceptional student artists gathered to explore, celebrate, expand and showcase their talent in multiple disciplines.  MYAF was held through 2021 before MSVMA transitioned to the All-State Festival.

The Michigan Music Conference (MMC) is a professional music educators' conference, co-run by the four state-wide music teacher organizations, encompassing vocal and instrumental music, grades K-12.  Ensemble performances, State Honors Choir, and workshops occur throughout the weekend.  The purpose of the Michigan Music Conference is to provide relevant professional development and vibrant musical experiences that support music education for educators and their students.

The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nationwide organization of choral directors, including professional, community, college/university, secondary, children's, and church choirs.  The United States is divided into seven geographical divisions.  The ACDA Central Division includes choirs from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.  ACDA holds national (odd numbered years) and divisional (even numbered years) conventions for choral directors from around the globe.

2026

MICHIGAN MUSIC CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2026 Michigan Music Conference, as part of the MSVMA Choral Hour.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and five choirs from across the state were selected to perform.  This is the fourth time (2018, 2020, 2023, & 2026) that the A Cappella Choir has been selected to perform at the MMC.  They will perform on Friday, January 23, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

2025

MSVMA ALL-STATE FESTIVAL

• The A Cappella Choir was selected by a blind listening panel as one of two MSVMA Outstanding Choirs from across the state, chosen to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Gala Concert.  This is the highest recognition achievable in the state of Michigan, and the sixth time they have been recognized as such.  They performed on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in East Lansing, Michigan.

• The Choraliers were one of the top five large ensembles at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, and were chosen by a listening panel to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  Only thirteen large ensembles, state-wide, were selected to perform.  They performed on Friday, May 9, 2025, in East Lansing, Michigan.

• Chase Crownover '25 was selected as one of the top soloists in musical theatre, state-wide, and chosen to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital on Friday, May 9, 2025, in East Lansing, Michigan.  Only six students, state-wide, were selected, after earning a top score at MSVMA Musical Theatre Solo & Ensemble Festival and submitting a video recording to be reviewed by a blind listening panel.  This is the first year that MSVMA has recognized soloists in musical theatre performance as a part of the All-State Festival.

• Chase Crownover '25, Emmanuel Morgan '25, & Lily Wright '25 auditioned for and were selected to participate in the MSVMA All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble!  Only 20 students, state-wide, were selected, after earning a top score at MSVMA Musical Theatre Solo & Ensemble Festival and submitting a video recording to be reviewed by a blind listening panel.  They performed on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in East Lansing, Michigan.

2024

AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION - MICHIGAN FALL CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2024 ACDA-Michigan Fall Conference.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and four choirs from across the state were selected to perform.  The A Cappella Choir performed on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Central Michigan University.

MSVMA ALL-STATE FESTIVAL

• The A Cappella Choir Tenors & Basses were selected as the top large ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  They are recognized as one of the top four small ensembles, state-wide.  They performed on Friday, May 10, 2024, in East Lansing, Michigan.

• The A Cappella Choir Sopranos & Altos were one of the top five large ensembles at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, and were chosen by a listening panel to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  Only thirteen large ensembles, state-wide, were selected to perform.  They performed on Friday, May 10, 2024, in East Lansing, Michigan.

• Eliana Adler '24 was selected as the top soloist in their room at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  Adler was recognized as one of the top 16 soloists, state-wide.  She performed on Friday, May 10, 2024, in East Lansing, Michigan.

• Additionally, the Choralaires were one of the top five large ensembles at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site.  Recordings of their performances were reviewed by a listening panel, and considered for performance at the MSVMA All-State Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.

• Emmanuel Morgan '25 & Gabrielle Thompson '26 auditioned for and were selected to participate in the MSVMA All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble!  Only 20 students, state-wide, were selected, after earning a top score at MSVMA Musical Theatre Solo & Ensemble Festival and submitting a video recording to be reviewed by a blind listening panel.  They performed on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in East Lansing, Michigan.

2023

MSVMA ALL-STATE FESTIVAL

• The A Cappella Choir was selected by a blind listening panel as one of two MSVMA Outstanding Choirs from across the state, chosen to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Gala Concert.  This is the highest recognition achievable in the state of Michigan, and the fifth time they have been recognized as such.  They performed on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in East Lansing, Michigan.

• The Connor Casey '23 & Megan Gottfried '23 Duet was selected as the top small ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  They are recognized as one of the top four small ensembles, state-wide.  They performed on Friday, May 12, 2023, in East Lansing, Michigan.

GIBBS CELEBRATION CONCERT

• The A Cappella Choir was invited to perform at a concert celebrating the music of Stacey V. Gibbs, on the occasion of his 100th published work.  They performed a solo set of Gibbs' arrangements alongside choirs from the University of Michigan, Oakland University, and Wayne State University and the combined choirs concluded the concert with a suite of spirituals, Gloryland, conducted by Stacey Gibbs.  The concert, titled Psalms, Hymns and Spirituals: Celebrating the Music of Stacey V. Gibbs, was held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, in Hill Auditorium.

MICHIGAN MUSIC CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2023 Michigan Music Conference, as part of the MSVMA Choral Hour.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and three choirs from across the state were selected to perform.  They performed on Friday, January 20, 2023, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

2022

AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION - MICHIGAN FALL CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2022 ACDA-Michigan Fall Conference.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and two choirs from across the state were selected to perform.  They performed on Friday, October 21, at Central Michigan University.

MSVMA ALL-STATE FESTIVAL

• The A Cappella Choir was selected by a blind listening panel as one of two MSVMA Outstanding Choirs from across the state, chosen to perform at the MSVMA All-State Festival Gala Concert.  This is the highest recognition achievable in the state of Michigan, and the fourth time they have been recognized as such.  They performed on Friday, May 13, 2022, in East Lansing, Michigan.

2021

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• Matthew Neal '22 was selected as one of the top 15 soloists, state-wide, at MSVMA Virtual Solo & Ensemble Festival, and chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  The 2021 Michigan Youth Arts Festival was held virtually, and his performance streamed online.

MICHIGAN MUSIC CONFERENCE

• Jasmine Williams '21 was named one of the top two soloists at the MSVMA Virtual Musical Theatre Intensive in Fall 2020 and chosen to perform at the Michigan Music Conference, January 28-30, 2021.  The 2021 Michigan Music Conference was held virtually, and her performance streamed online.

2020

MADRIGAL CHORALE CHORAL COMPETITION

• The A Cappella Choir won the Madrigal Chorale Choral Competition, receiving a $1,000 scholarship.   The A Cappella Choir was scheduled to perform at the Motor City Choral Invitation on March 28, 2020, in Rochester, but because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the concert was canceled.

INTERCOLLEGIATE MEN'S CHORUSES NATIONAL SEMINAR - Michigan Brothers in Song

• On Thursday & Friday, March 19-20, the tenors and basses from A Cappella Choir and Chorale were going to travel to Albion to perform at the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses (IMC) 2020 National Seminar.  IMC is a national organization of tenor-bass choruses, comprised mostly of university men’s glee clubs, but also including high school and community men’s choirs.  We were to collaborate with tenor-bass singers from five other high schools from across the state (Clarkston, Rockford, South Lyon, Traverse City Central, and Traverse City West), to form a large TTBB honors choir, called Michigan Brothers in Song.  On Thursday and Friday, the students were going to join for combined rehearsals, attend concerts of the professional TTBB choir Cantus and other collegiate men’s choruses, and perform on the Friday night concert.  Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the IMC 2020 National Seminar was canceled and AAPS moved to remote learning.

MICHIGAN MUSIC CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2020 Michigan Music Conference, as part of the MSVMA Choral Hour.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and eight choirs from across the state were selected to perform.  They performed on Friday, January 17, 2020, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

2019

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• The A Cappella Choir was selected by a blind listening panel as one of two MSVMA Outstanding Choirs from across the state, chosen to perform at the MYAF Gala Concert.  This is the highest recognition achievable in the state of Michigan, and the third time they have been recognized as such.

2018

AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION - MICHIGAN FALL CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was invited to perform at the 2018 ACDA-Michigan Fall Conference.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and seven choirs of various ages from across the state were selected to perform.  They performed on Saturday, October 26, 2018, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at Western Michigan University.

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• Aldo Pando Girard '18 was selected as the top soloist in their room at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  Pando Girard was recognized as one of the top 12 soloists, state-wide.

MICHIGAN MUSIC CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2018 Michigan Music Conference, as part of the MSVMA Choral Hour.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and seven choirs from across the state were selected to perform.  They performed on Friday, January 26, 2018, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

2017

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• Choraliers were selected as the top large ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site and were automatically invited to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.

2016

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• Catherine Moss '16 was selected as the top soloist in her room at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  Moss was recognized as one of the top 12 soloists, state-wide.

• Catherine Moss '16 was then selected as the top soloist in the state, chosen to perform at the MYAF Gala Concert as part of the concerto soloists portion of the program.

2015

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• For the second year in a row, the A Cappella Choir was selected by a blind listening panel as one of two MSVMA Outstanding Choirs from across the state, chosen to perform at the MYAF Gala Concert.  This is the highest recognition achievable in the state of Michigan, and the second time they have been recognized as such.

• The Abigail Hirshbein & Catherine Moss '16 Duet was selected as the top small ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  They are recognized as one of the top four small ensembles, state-wide.  This was the fourth straight year that the top small ensemble has been from Pioneer High School. 

KENNEDY CENTER AWARD - 2015 Ann Arbor Public Schools

• The Ann Arbor Public Schools have been recognized by the Kennedy Center, receiving the 27th annual Kennedy Center & National School Boards Association Award. Since 1989, this prestigious national award has recognized individual school boards for their outstanding support of arts education.

2014

AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION - MICHIGAN FALL CONFERENCE

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2014 ACDA-Michigan Fall Conference.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout Michigan, and seven choirs of various ages from across the state are selected to perform.  They performed on Friday, October 24, in Flint, Michigan, at the First Presbyterian Church of Flint.

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• The A Cappella Choir was selected by a blind listening panel as one of two MSVMA Outstanding Choirs from across the state, chosen to perform at the MYAF Gala Concert.  This is the highest recognition achievable in the state of Michigan, and the first time they have been recognized as such.

• Samuel Kidd '14 was selected as the top soloist in his room at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  Kidd was recognized as one of the top 13 soloists, state-wide.

• Samuel Kidd '14 was then selected as the top soloist in the state, chosen to perform at the MYAF Gala Concert as part of the concerto soloists portion of the program.

• The Hannah Hesseltine & Samuel Kidd '14 Duet was selected as the top small ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  This was the second straight year that their duet was selected for this honor.  They are recognized as one of the top four small ensembles, state-wide.

• Choraliers were selected to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital, recognized as one of the top thirteen large ensembles, state-wide, for the third year in a row.

AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION - CENTRAL DIVISION

• The A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the 2014 ACDA Central Division Convention.   Prospective choirs must submit unedited recordings from the past three years, demonstrating a sustained standard of excellence.  Recordings are reviewed by a blind listening panel of choral directors from throughout the Midwest, and twelve choirs of various ages from across the four states are selected to perform.  They performed on Thursday, February 27, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the Hall of Mirrors within the Hilton Cincinnati - Netherlands Plaza.

2013

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• Gabe Novak's ('13) composition Sure on this Shining Night was selected by the Michigan Music Educators Association as the sole student composition to performed by A Cappella at the MYAF Welcoming Celebration.

• Jenny Nathans '13 was selected as the top soloist in her room at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  Nathans was recognized as one of the top 13 soloists, state-wide.

• The Hannah Hesseltine & Samuel Kidd '14 Duet was selected as the top small ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, chosen to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  They are recognized as one of the top four small ensembles, state-wide.

• Choraliers were selected to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital, recognized as one of the top thirteen large ensembles, state-wide, for the second year in a row.

• Adriana Ellis '14 was selected as the runner-up soloist in her room at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, and was an alternate soloist for MYAF.

MICHIGAN MUSIC CONFERENCE

• Gabe Novak's ('13) composition Sure on this Shining Night was selected by the Michigan Music Educators Association to be performed by A Cappella at their Honors Composition Concert recognizing  outstanding student compositions from around the state.  The Honors Composition Concert took place at the Michigan Music Conference.

2012

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• The A Cappella Choir was selected as one of four choirs, state-wide, to participate in the MYAF 50th Anniversary Commissioned Work.  The 2012 Welcoming Celebration concluded with the premiere of a newly commissioned, multi-disciplinary performance piece entitled Strung with Glory, celebrating creativity and youth, featuring student and alumni artists. The piece was written by Chicago-based composer, Mischa Zupko, composer-in-residence at Fulcrum Point New Music Project and the Music Institute of Chicago. A critically-acclaimed, award-winning composer and arts educator, Zupko writes music that is emotionally charged, physically engaging and continually seeks to involve participation on a variety of levels.  Zupko was on hand to work with the student-artists, and the performance was conducted by Western Michigan University Professor of Music, Bruce Uchimura.

• Choraliers were selected as the top large ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site and were automatically invited to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.

• Clare Higgins '13 & Jenny Nathans '13 Duet was selected as the top small ensemble at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site and were automatically invited to perform at the MYAF Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.

• Jenny Nathans '13 was selected as the runner-up soloist in her room at State Solo & Ensemble - South Site, and was an alternate soloist for MYAF. (top 26 events, state-wide)

2008

MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

• Soulfege was selected as a runner-up (one of the top 24 events, state-wide) for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival.