There are several optional activities listed below that students can choose to participate in. All the activities will require students to challenge themselves. The experiences are VERY rewarding and allow students to as musicians. All of the events have a cost. There is sponsorship money available to assist any student who cannot afford costs of any event. To request financial support for your student, please email LMOORE@mtbaker.wednet.edu.
NAfME All-State: NAfMe is the National Association for Music Education. This is an organization made up of music teachers from all over the USA .The All-State Choir is made up of students who audition and are selected from Washington State. Each choir has specific audition material that the student must learn, as well as an audition fee of $30.
ACDA All-Northwest Choir: ACDA is the American Choral Directors Association, and is made up of Choir directors from all over the USA. The All-Northwest Choir is made up of students who audition and are selected from the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Wyoming and Montana. Each choir has specific audition material that the student must learn, as well as an audition fee of $30
SJMEA Honor Choir: SJMEA is the San Juan Music Education Association, a group made up of music teachers who work in Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. This regional honor choir is made up of students who are nominated by their music teacher. There is a high school honor group that meets in November 2025, and a junior high honor group that meets in May 2026. There is no audition, there is a $20 participation fee.
SJMEA Solo and Ensemble: This is an event where students independently learn a solo, or a song with a small group of other singers. There is a $20 participation fee.
Link to Website with general information: new.express.adobe.com/webpage/SJ9bsguZkKOiq
Audition materials for each choir can be found using the following links (click on the name of the choir)
Junior High All-State Choir, Auditions close October 10, 2025. Meets in Yakima on February 15th, 2026
HS All-State Choir, High School Choir and Symphonic Choir, Auditions close November 14, 2025. Meets in Tacoma May 28-30, 2026
HS Jazz Choir, Auditions close October 10, 2025. Meets in Yakima February 13-14, 2026
The audition materials and tracks can be found on the NW ACDA Website. Auditions close on October 1, 2025.
Here are links to materials for each choir
Middle School Audition, Grade 6-8 Honor Choir, meets in Tacoma March 5-7, 2026
Grade 9/10 Audition, Grade 9/10 SATB Choir, meets in Tacoma March 5-7, 2026
Grade 11/12 Soprano/Alto, meets in Tacoma March 5-7, 2026
Grade 11/12 Tenor/Bass, meets in Tacoma March 5-7, 2026
High School Jazz Choir, meets in Tacoma March 4-6, 2026
Link to NW-ACDA Honor Choir Page for all information
Honor choir auditions open September 1, 2025 and close October 1, 2025. Accepted singers will be notified on November 1, 2025.
The 2026 Northwestern ACDA Conference gathers six honor choirs for students from grades 4 to 12. This opportunity brings students together with passionate and talented peers from across the Northwestern region in a supportive choral community. Singers will be transformed through an experience with diverse and inspiring conductors from across the United States.
OUR HONOR CHOIRS
Children’s & Community Youth Honor Choir
Maria Ellis, conductor
4th-7th grade singers
March 6-7, 2026 (Registration on Friday morning, Rehearsals start Friday morning, Concert on Saturday afternoon)
Middle School Honor Choir
Victor Johnson, conductor
6th-8th grade singers
March 5-7, 2026 (Registration on Wednesday evening, Rehearsals start Thursday morning, Concert on Saturday afternoon)
9th-10th Grade SATB Honor Choir
Reginal Wright, conductor
March 5-7, 2026 (Registration on Wednesday evening, Rehearsals start Thursday morning, Concert on Saturday afternoon)
11th-12th Grade Soprano-Alto Honor Choir
Lynne Gackle, conductor
March 5-7, 2026 (Registration on Wednesday evening, Rehearsals start Thursday morning, Concert on Saturday afternoon)
11th-12th Grade TB Honor Choir
Brandon Boyd, conductor
March 5-7, 2026 (Registration on Wednesday evening, Rehearsals start Thursday morning, Concert on Saturday afternoon)
Jazz Honor Choir
Greg Jasperse, conductor
9th-12th grade singers
March 4-6, 2026 (Registration on Wednesday afternoon, Rehearsals start Wednesday afternoon, Concert on Friday afternoon)
AUDITIONS
Audition Timeline
Due to timeline logistics, these dates are non-negotiable. All deadlines must be met to participate in an honor choir.
September 1, 2025: Auditions are open.
October 1, 2025: Auditions close. No applications will be considered after 11:59pm on this date.
November 1, 2025: Accepted singers will be notified via email to their director.
Financial aid application is OPEN.
November 10, 2025: Financial aid application CLOSES.
December 1, 2025: Online registration is DUE for all accepted singers on online form provided by Honor Choir Chair.
Non-refundable registration fee must be paid on provided online form.
All forms must be completed and submitted through the provided online form.
Audition Fee
hh
11th-12th Grade SA
$30/auditionhhh
Middle School Honor Choir
$30/auditionhhh
11th-12th Grade TB
$30/auditionhhh
9th-10th Grade SATB Honor Choir
$30/auditionhhh
Jazz Honor Choir
$30/auditionhhh
Important Notes on Audition Requirements
Directors of applicants will submit auditions on behalf of their students. Students or parents/guardians CANNOT submit honor choir applications. Directors must be an ACDA member with a valid ACDA membership number in order to submit their singer’s audition.
Singers may only audition for ONE voice part.
Singers who are in the 6th or 7th grade and wish to audition for both the Children’s & Community Youth Honor Choir and the Middle School Honor Choir are welcome to do so, but must submit separate auditions and pay both audition fees, and may only audition for one voice part per choir. If accepted to both choirs, they must choose which ensemble to participate in.
Singers who audition for the Jazz Honor Choir may also audition for the 11th-12th Grade SA Honor Choir, 11th-12th Grade TB Honor Choir, or 9th-10th Grade SATB Honor Choir, but must submit separate auditions and pay both audition fees, and may only audition for one voice part per choir. If accepted to both choirs, they must choose which one to participate in.
EXPECTATIONS OF ACCEPTED SINGERS
Accepted singers MUST…
Be present at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performance.
Local, commuting students: Singers who live in local boundaries (i.e. Tacoma School District, Fife School District, Federal Way School District, Kent School District, Auburn School District, Sumner School District, Orting School District, Puyallup School District, Bethel School District, Franklin Pierce School District, Clover Park School District, Steilacoom Historical School District, and University Place School District boundaries) and commute to/from rehearsals MUST arrive at rehearsal on time. Any commuting singer who misses more than 15 total minutes of rehearsal throughout the conference will no longer be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
Arrive at the first rehearsal having learned their voice part in all music. Rehearsal tracks will be provided so singers can learn their part on their own without their choir director. Singers who arrive to the first rehearsal unprepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
Abide by all NW ACDA Honor Choir behavioral policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their own personal expense.
REGISTRATION FEES
11th-12th Grade SA
$250hhh
Middle School Honor Choir
$200hhh
11th-12th Grade TB
$250hhh
9th-10th Grade SATB Honor Choir
$250hhh
Jazz Honor Choir
$250hhh
Important Notes on Registration Fees
If the singer is accepted, their registration fee must be paid by December 1, 2025 and is absolutely NON-REFUNDABLE.
Credit/debit cards are the only acceptable form of payment. Purchase Orders or checks will not be accepted.
No extra processing fees will be added on top of the stated registration fee costs.
The registration fee covers the cost of sheet music, guest instrumentalists, part tracks, concert recordings, t-shirts, facility use, extraordinary accompanists, and world-renowned conductors.
The registration fee DOES NOT cover transportation, lodging, or meals.
All transportation and lodging arrangements and expenses will be made by and paid for by the honor choir participants. Northwestern ACDA assumes no financial responsibility for transportation to and from Tacoma, and no financial responsibility for lodging. Thank you for your trust and confidence that our conference committee works hard to ensure that each singer will have the best experience possible for the best price possible.
Scholarships are available. Financial need will have no impact on a singer’s audition outcome.
CHAPERONES
Each singer MUST have a designated chaperone. All singers must provide their own chaperones staying in each room with the singers OR follow their school/district/organization policy as it applies to overnight trips.
One chaperone may serve more than one singer.
Chaperones are a vital part of the success of these honor choirs. Each student needs a chaperone, whether it is a parent/guardian or a teacher, but one chaperone may serve more than one singer.
Chaperones are responsible for reserving the singer’s hotel room.
Chaperones are responsible for singers at all times, except when in rehearsal.
Chaperones are not required to pay any fee.
Chaperones will not be granted access to any NW ACDA events without purchasing conference registration or concert tickets.
Chaperones will not receive breakfast provided at the College Fair.
LODGING
Singers who live in the Tacoma School District, Fife School District, Federal Way School District, Kent School District, Auburn School District, Sumner School District, Orting School District, Puyallup School District, Bethel School District, Franklin Pierce School District, Clover Park School District, Steilacoom Historical School District, and University Place School District boundaries are not required to stay in conference hotels; they are welcome to stay at home and commute to/from rehearsals, but are strongly encouraged to stay in the conference hotels. Singers who live outside of these boundaries must stay in either one of the conference hotels using the discounted NW ACDA Honor Choir room block.
Important Notes on Lodging & Transportation
Honor Choir members are responsible for arranging and paying for their own room for their required nights of the conference.
Singers who live in local boundaries and commute to/from rehearsals MUST arrive at rehearsal on time. Any commuting singer who misses more than 15 total minutes of rehearsal throughout the conference will no longer be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
If the accepted singer lives outside of local boundaries, their chaperone must make reservations at the conference hotels no later than December 1, 2025 in the Honor Choir block using the provided link. Failure to make reservations at either of the conference hotels may result in being removed from the honor choir.
FINANCIAL AID
The Northwestern Region of ACDA aims to provide as many students as possible with access to this life-changing opportunity and lessen their financial burden. We understand that participating in this experience is no easy monetary feat, so we aim to offer as much financial assistance to as many accepted students as possible.
Honor Choir acceptance emails, delivered to the teacher/director on November 1, will include a link to a financial aid application, due November 10, 2025 at 11:59pm. Financial aid will only apply to registration fee, not lodging, travel, or meals. Financial aid applications must be completed by the student’s teacher/director with a valid ACDA membership number. Financial aid is available to students who request it on a first-come, first-served basis. No financial aid requests will be considered after 11:59pm on November 10, 2025.
This event is a way for students to participate in a large, combined choir experience with a smaller time commitment. Students who are interested are nominated by Mrs. Moore. If they are accepted into the choir, their responsibilities are as follows:
Learn the music for the event (usually three songs)
Attend the practice session on Monday October 27, 2025 at Mt Vernon HS in Mt Vernon.
Attend the practice/performance day on Monday November 11, 2025 at Western Washington University.
Cost: $20 participation fee
Time: Learning music, one evening rehearsal, performance day
Mrs. Moore will be available Thursdays after school to help you learn the music for the event.
October 27, 2025 (6-8 PM): Depart from Mt Baker High School at 4:45 PM, rehearse 6-8 PM, return to MBHS by around 9 PM
November 11, 2025: Performance Day-Depart from Mt Baker High School at 8:00 AM, rehearse from 9am-3 pm, performance from 4-5:15 PM
Transportation: Transportation will be provided by bus or school support vehicle for the rehearsal on October 27 and to get to WWU on November 11 (if needed)
Students will ride home with their parents from the performance at WWU
Questions? lmoore@mtbaker.wednet.edu 360-617-4566
This event is a way for students to participate in a large, combined choir experience with a smaller time commitment. Students who are interested are nominated by Mrs. Moore. If they are accepted into the choir, their responsibilities are as follows:
Learn the music for the event (usually three songs)
Attend the practice/performance day on Saturday May 2, 2026 at Mount Baker MIDDLE School in Mt Vernon.
Cost: $20 participation fee
Time: Learning music, performance day
Mrs. Moore will be available Thursdays after school to help you learn the music for the event.
May 2, 2026: Performance Day-Depart from Mt Baker High School at 8:45 AM, rehearse from 10 am-3 pm, performance from 4-5:15 PM
Transportation: Transportation will be provided by bus or school support vehicle to get to Mt Vernon in the morning. Students will ride home with their parents from the performance.
Concert: There is no admission fee for the concert, but donations are appreciated. Arrive early if you want to be able to sit down during the concert- the parking lot and the concert space fill up fast.
Questions? lmoore@mtbaker.wednet.edu 360-617-4566
Information for Senior Solo/Ensemble Festival (Grade 9-12)
WHO
Senior high choir students from our music district
WHAT
The Solo and Ensemble festival is sponsored by the San Juan Music Educators
Association and is an optional activity in which music students may participate.
Students who choose to participate will work with their school music teacher to prepare
a vocal solo, or small ensemble piece of music. On the day of the festival, these
students travel to the festival site and sing their piece for a judge who will give them
feedback, encouragement and a rating. Students may choose to compete for a place at the state Solo/Ensemble festival which takes place April 25/26, 2025 in Ellensburg WA.
WHEN
The local, qualifying festival date is Saturday, January 31, 2026.
WHERE
Blaine High School
COST
$20 per solo
$20 per ensemble (students can divide up the cost among ensemble members)
The fee is due by October 17th, 2025. If writing a check, make it out to Mt Baker High School. If you think you cannot pay the entry fee, there are funds available to cover it.
COMMITMENT
Rehearsals for Senior High Students will be Thursdays after school starting October 19, 2025. Students do not have to stay every Thursday but will need to come to at least 5 practices between October 9 and December 15.
HOW TO SIGN UP (You have options!! Choose what works best for you)
There is a sign up sheet by the door in the choir room.
You can also put a note in Mrs. Moore’s turn in tray with your name on it.
You can sign up using the form at the bottom of this page.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact me at 360-617-4566 by e-mail at lmoore@mtbaker.wednet.edu.
Information for Junior Solo/Ensemble Festival (Grade 7/8)
WHO
Junior high choir students from our music district
WHAT
The Solo and Ensemble festival is sponsored by the San Juan Music Educators
Association and is an optional activity in which music students may participate.
Students who wish to participate, work with their school music teacher to prepare
a vocal solo, or small ensemble piece of music. On the day of the festival, these
students travel to the festival site and sing their piece for a judge who will give them
feedback, encouragement and a rating. An ensemble is when two or more students perform together.
WHEN
The festival date is Saturday February 7th, 2026. Students can work on their songs during choir class, at lunch, during base camp times, and Thursdays after school starting October 9, 2025.Students will ride the late bus home if they stay after school.
WHERE
The festival is at Cascade Middle School in Bellingham
****Parents must be able to provide transportation to and from the performance site****
COST
$15 per solo
$20 per ensemble (students can divide up the cost among ensemble members)
If the cost is a challenge to you, there is funding available to support students.
Payment can be made at the junior high office by the student, or by the parent AFTER THE STUDENT HAS SIGNED UP and talked to Mrs Moore. Payment deadline is October 17th, 2025.
HOW TO SIGN UP
There are three ways you can sign up
1. Sign up on the sheet in the choir room
2. Fill out a form and put it in Mrs. Moore’s turn in tray
3. Fill out the form above on this web page
.QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact me at 360-617-4566, by e-mail at lmoore@mtbaker.wednet.edu.
This choir meets every two years. The next national honor choir opportunity is during the 2026-2027 school year.