About

The Dallas Center-Grimes High School Vocal Music program has a rich history of excellence. The program offers a total of five curricular choirs that meet every day serving over 200 students total in the program. Each choir performs in a minumum of four concerts and are given the chance to collaborate with groups like Quartet 515.

The program also offers five jazz choirs and two show choirs that compete across Iowa and the region. The Varsity Show Choir, Momentum, has performed in finals at several area competitions. The Varsity Jazz Choir, Dissonance, has won awards at several competions across the state. In 2013, Dissonance was the 3A State Champion at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships. In 2024, Dissonance made their first appearance in Class 4A at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Champships and was runner-up to the state title.

Students also participate in Opus and All-State with several students selected each year. Student participation in IHSMA Solo and Small Ensemble is always high with several students receiving top ratings each year.

Below you will see a list of all our offerings.

DCG Singers

Director: Mr. Mohlis

Grades: 10-12

32-48 Students

This will be the most advanced auditioned ensemble offered to HS students. This choir meets every day during Block 1B. Members of this ensemble will audition for All-State, participate in Solo and Small Group Contest, and participate in a minimum of 6 concerts per school year. The group will work on advanced singing techniques and music literature. Singers in this ensemble will sing college level literature. This group is the flagship group of the program and may be asked to sing at assemblies or community events. Students in this choir are expected to have a minimum of one voice lesson in per quarter.

Bella Voce

Director: Mr. Roberts

Grades: 10-12

40-50 Singers

This is an auditioned Advanced Treble Choir offered to HS students. Members of this ensemble will participate in IHSMA Solo and Small Group Contest and participate in a minimum of 4 concerts per year. The group will work on advanced singing techniques and music literature. This group may be asked to perform at informal performances in the community. Singers in this choir will sing advanced high school and college level literature. Students in this choir are expected to have a minimum of one voice lesson in per quarter

Concert Choir

Director: Mr. Mohlis

Grade: 10-12

40-70 Singers

This is an auditioned choir for singers in high school that meets every day. Members of the choir have the option of participating in Solo and Small Group Contest and will perform in a minimum of 4 concerts per school year. The group will work on advanced singing techniques and music literature. This group will perform standard to advanced high school level literature. Students in this choir are expected to have a minimum of one voice lesson in per quarter.

Treble Clef Choir

Director: Mr. Roberts

Grade: 9-12

10- 70 Singers

This is a non-auditioned treble clef choir for all students in grades 9-12 that meets every day. Students in this choir will learn basics of singing technique and music literature. Students will perform beginning and standard level treble choir literature throughout the year. Students will perform in a minimum of 4 concerts per school year. Students may participate in IHSMA Solo and Small Group Contest. Students in this choir are expected to have a minimum of one voice lesson in per quarter.

Bass Clef Choir

Director: Mr. Mohlis

Grade: 9-12

10-70 Singers

This is a non-auditioned bass clef choir for all students in grades 9-12 that meets every day. Students in this choir will learn basics of singing technique and music literature. Students will perform beginning and standard level bass clef choir literature throughout the year. Students will perform in a minimum of 4 concerts per school year. Students may participate in IHSMA Solo and Small Group Contest. Students in this choir are expected to have a minimum of one voice lesson in per quarter.

Dissonance

Director: Mr. Mohlis

Grade: 10-12

8-16 Singers

This will be the most advanced jazz choir offered to HS students. Members of this ensemble are required to audition for All-State Jazz Choir. Dissonance performs advanced jazz charts and explore numerous styles. Students will explore music theory and work on more advanced improvisation skills. Members of this jazz ensemble will perform at 4-5 festivals or contests per year. This jazz choir will also perform at community events and the DCG Academy Awards. This is an auditioned ensemble. Auditions are held in the fall. In the last year, this group made their debute performance at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Champtionships in class 4A and earned 2nd in the state.

Modulation

Director: Mr. Roberts

Grade: 10-12

12-16 Singers

This is the intermediate jazz choir offered to HS students. Modulation performs intermediate jazz charts and explores basic styles of jazz. Students will explore music theory and improvisation. Members of this jazz ensemble will perform at 3-4 festivals or contests per year. This jazz choir will also perform at community events. This is an auditioned ensemble. Auditions are held in the fall.

Suspension

Director: Mr. Roberts & Mr. Mohlis

Grade: 10-12

8-16 Singers

This is the intermediate jazz choir offered to HS students. This group performs intermediate jazz charts and explores basic styles of jazz. Students will explore music theory and improvisation. Members of this jazz ensemble will perform at 3-4 festivals or contests per year. This jazz choir will also perform at community events. This is an auditioned ensemble. Auditions are held in the fall.

Extension

Director: Mr. Roberts

Grade: 10-12

8-16 Singers

Harmonization

Director: Mr. Peitzman

Grade: 9

16-20 Singers

This is the beginning jazz choir offered to HS students. Students will learn basics of jazz styles and improvisation. Students will perform standard jazz arrangements. This is an auditioned ensemble. Auditions are held in the fall.

Momentum

Director: Mrs. Davenport

Grade: 9-12

32-60 Singers

Momentum is the varsity show choir and one of ten choral offerings at Dallas Center-Grimes High School. This auditioned group is open to bass voices grades 9-12 and treble voices grades 10-12, with auditions held in the spring prior to the following school year. Momentum rehearses on Monday evenings starting in August, and competes and performs across Central Iowa.

Impulse

Director: Ms. Seifert

Grade: 9-12

30-60 Singers

Impulse is the JV show choir and one of ten choral offerings at Dallas Center-Grimes High School. This auditioned group is open to treble voices grades 9-12, with auditions held in the spring prior to the following school year. Impulse rehearses on Monday evenings starting in August, and competes and performs across Central Iowa.