(Publisher’s note: This is the first of a two-part series.)
By Crystal Hayduk
Three members of the Chelsea High School (CHS) Chamber Choir raved about their experience singing in State Honors Choirs at the Michigan Music Conference (MMC), held in Grand Rapids Jan. 19-21.
Anna Carter, Oscar Carvallo, and Nicholas Spruce-Maddox were selected following a challenging two-part audition process held last fall. For the first part, a videorecording of individual students singing a cappella (without accompaniment) is submitted online with assistance from their music director, Aaron Pollard.
The second phase of the audition occurs at the Regional Honors Choir in December. Prior to regionals, students learn and interpret new music. However, due to “technical problems,” the students didn’t receive their music until only a week and a half before regionals. Despite the time pressure, they were rewarded for their effort.
Carter, a junior in the SSAA choir who sings soprano I, is a private student of Lisa Hinz-Johnson. She gushed about her first time attending MMC, enthusiastic about the energy and inspiring community of vocalists. “We sang unique songs—very different from what we sing at school. Our director, Lindsay CieChanski, was so professional and amazing. And the Amway Grand is like a palace.”
Carvallo, an alto in the SSAA choir, made his second appearance at MMC, now as a senior. “Being with other choir students who are invested and excited to sing, as well as working under an incredible director at the conference, is a completely mind-blowing experience,” he said.
Spruce-Maddox is a senior who marked his fourth year attending MMC, this time as a baritone in the TTBB choir. He said one important benefit of State Honors Choir is singing with other male voices, where everyone is driven and focused on the music and their craft. He also credited his choir director, Erich Wangeman, for making his final performance at MMC excellent.
CieChanski, the energetic choir director who inspired Carter and Carvallo, directs vocal music at Ann Arbor’s Skyline High School, but resides in Chelsea.
She said she loved conducting the MSVMA (Michigan School Vocal Music Association) SSAA High School Honors Choir. Expanding on the audition process, CieChanski said the students “…rehearse and memorize all of the pieces independently prior to arriving at the Michigan Music Conference, so the Honors Choir rehearsals are all about making beautiful music and perfecting the art.
“It was an honor to work with the students, who arrived fully prepared and very enthusiastic,” said CieChanski. “We performed five very challenging pieces of music of varying genres and the students were excited to explore the subtleties and techniques for performing each of them. I was so proud of all the musicians and thrilled to be a part of the State Honors Choir experience.”
About MSVMA
The Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) helps to make Honors Choirs concerts possible. From the MSVMA website: “MSVMA is a non-profit that supports and encourages the expression of vocal talent and musical creativity.”
About MMC
This year marked the 18th annual MMC, which draws about 9,000 teachers, administrators, students, speakers, and guests for the educational sessions and concerts. From the Michigan Music Conference website, “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.”
