Vocal Director: Ms. Vidal

As a member of one of our six choir ensembles, students have many performance opportunities including four annual concerts, MSMVA choir festivals, and various community performances. Students in the choral program are dedicated and engaged learners who commit themselves to making this a professional and successful program!

• American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
• Detroit Festival of the Arts
• Detroit Noel Night
• Disney Magic Music Days, Orlando, FL
• Fox 2 News Morning Show
• Fox Theatre
• With the Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra
• MSVMA Honors’ Choir
• MSVMA Regional and State Festivals
• MSMVA Regional and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals
• Oldies 104.3 WOMC
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Somerset Mall

Academy Cadet Choir (9-12) (1 credit)

Prerequisite: Placement by audition.

This course offers beginning choir students an exploration into the fundamentals of being in a high school choir. Students focus on basic music theory such as note and symbol recognition as well as reading and writing music. Students work daily on their class music in preparation for performances throughout the year. Students analyze and critique their sound and performances regularly. Prior singing experience is not required. *Students will need to provide approximately $45 for performance uniform.

Academy Chorale (9-12) (1 credit)

Placement by audition.
Prerequisite: Cadet Choir, if applicable; Placement by audition and/or instructor approval.

This course offers continuation of the work started in the Cadet Choir. Students review and progress in their music theory skills, as well as increasing their aptitude in sight reading. Students work daily on their class music in preparation for performances throughout the year. Students analyze and critique their sound and performances regularly. Prior singing experience is recommended, but not required. *Students will need to provide approximately $45 for performance uniform.

Broadway Bound Show Choir (10-12) (1 credit)

Prerequisite: Academy Cadet Choir, Academy Chorale, or Academy Concert Choir; Placement by audition and/or instructor approval.

In this choir, students should be proficient in basic music theory, music reading and writing, and sight reading. Students should also be able to demonstrate proper vocal techniques, dance ability, coordination, and stage presence. This class will offer advanced choral literature with increased parts and harmonies, incorporating staging and movement. Requirements include having a high level of musicianship, leadership, responsibility, and respectable character. Students work daily on their class music in preparation for performances throughout the year. During the school year the group will perform outside of school at civic, cultural, and educational activities. Students analyze and critique their sound and performances regularly. Prior singing experience is required and prior dance experience is recommended, but not required. *Students will need to provide approximately $100 for performance uniform.

Academy Concert Choir (10-12) (1 credit)

Prerequisite: Academy Cadet Choir, Academy Chorale, or Broadway Bound Show Choir; Placement by audition and/or instructor approval.

In this choir, students should be proficient in basic music theory, music reading and writing, and sight reading. Students should also be able to demonstrate proper vocal techniques. This class will offer advanced choral literature with increased parts and harmonies. The focus will be on gaining vocal skills and being able to perform as a group. Requirements include having a high level of musicianship, leadership, responsibility, and respectable character. Students work daily on their class music in preparation for performances throughout the year. During the school year the group will perform outside of school at civic, cultural, and educational activities. Students analyze and critique their sound and performances regularly. Prior singing experience is required. *Students will need to provide approximately $100 for performance outfit.

Senior Project (12) (1/2 credit)

Prerequisite: Academy Cadet Choir, Academy Chorale, or Broadway Bound Show Choir; Placement by audition and/or instructor approval.

This course is designed as the culmination of a student’s efforts from their four years of study in the Arts Academy in the Woods vocal program, and is a required course for graduation. The three major components of this Senior Project (portfolio, reflective essay, and recital performance) will allow a student to integrate all of the experience they have had in school so far. The content of what will be studied is determined by the student and is facilitated by the teacher.

Madrigals (10-12) (Extra Curricular)

Prerequisite: Member of Broadway Bound or Concert Choir. This group is an extracurricular group that meets outside of school hours. Placement by audition.

This is an advanced women’s ensemble that provides serious vocal students with an opportunity to work in a smaller chamber choir setting. This group meets weekly and performs at festivals throughout the year. Madrigals will also perform often outside of school. *Students will need to provide approximately $100 for performance uniform.

Smooth Voices Men’s Ensemble (10-12) (Extra Curricular)

Prerequisite: Member of Academy Concert Choir. This group is an extracurricular group that meets outside of school hours. Placement by audition.

This is an advanced men’s ensemble that provides serious vocal students with an opportunity to work in a smaller chamber choir setting. This group meets weekly and performs at festivals throughout the year. Smooth Voices will also perform often outside of school. *Students will need to provide approximately $100 for performance uniform.

As a member of the Arts Academy Choir program, you will be expected to be committed and dedicated to your choir ensemble, classmates, and teacher. The choir ensembles work daily to rehearse and to perfect music in preparation for a performance – whether it be at an assembly, a choir concert, or choir festival. Each member is expected to work to their personal best every day and to be open to new experiences. This is a professional and hard-working program and we hope that you will join us!

At the time of your vocal audition, you are REQUIRED to perform the following tasks:

• Students will be asked a series of questions in regards to their experience in vocal pitch.

• Sing a short series of warm ups with the director to show vocal range and tessitura.

• Sing a memorized solo piece that demonstrates the student’s ability to sing in pitch, show engaged and energetic singing, and music reading ability. Students are expected to come prepared with music for an accompanist and to have practiced with an accompanist prior to the audition. A cappella singing is not accepted. Example: Caro mio ben from the Italian Arias repertoire or She’s Gone Away from Folk Songs for Singers, Volume 2.

• Read a short sight-reading example that will be provided for you. This example will demonstrate the student’s ability to read music notes and markings as well as their ability to use a sight reading system.

• Perform 16 counts of show choir dance to demonstrate coordination, stage presence, and dance ability. Students should choreograph their own 16 counts. Music is not required. (Required only for students, grades 10-12, auditioning for Broadway Bound Show Choir.)

Also at the time of your vocal audition, you will be asked which choir you are trying out for. Please read through the vocal program brochure to become familiar with the choral ensembles at the Academy and be prepared with any questions you may have.

If at any time prior to your vocal audition you should have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the vocal director.

Are you planning on majoring in Vocal Music? Please see Vocal Music Major Recommendations.