By Crystal Hayduk
Ken Davis, choir director at Chelsea High School (CHS), could not be prouder of his students as the 2025-26 school year draws to a close.
Students in the Chamber and Concert Choirs performed at the State Choral Festival, sponsored by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA), on April 29 at Mason High School. The Chamber Choir was distinctly honored as being the only high school choir performing that day to receive a Division 1 (“excellent”) rating.
An invitation to perform at the State Choral Festival is reserved for choirs that had received a Division 1 rating at the District Choral Festival in March, Davis said. School choirs from the southern region of the state participated in the educational performance under the direction of their own choir teachers.
Davis said the adjudication process was demanding. “The judging panel for State Choral Festival is comprised exclusively by university professors from schools that included the University of Michigan, University of Texas, Northern Illinois, and Alma College.”
In addition to the full choir honors, two CHS vocalists were selected following a demanding audition process to be members of the All-State Festival Honors Choir, held May 7-9 at Michigan State University.
Junior Emily Ideson (Soprano 1) and sophomore Charlie Schmunk (Alto 2) were members of the State Honors Choirs in winter 2025, but this was their first time receiving the highest honor of All-State selection, which includes only the top 80 vocalists statewide.
Schmunk said they rehearsed up to seven hours in a day. They learn to protect their voices by adequately warming up and drinking plenty of water.
“Everyone there is accepting and kind,” said Ideson. “You find your community and make lots of friendships.”
“Having two representatives in the All-State Choir is very rare,” said Davis. “It took a lot of practice and commitment from these students to reach this level.”
About MSVMA
Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) is a non-profit organization that supports and encourages the expression of vocal talent and musical creativity. Programming includes festivals that encourage students to strive for excellence, honors choirs that unite voices from schools throughout the state and professional development opportunities that inspire teachers to foster environments where students thrive.
