All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble

High school students who have received a First Division (I) Rating at the Music Theatre Solo and Ensemble Festival as a soloists, small ensemble, or large ensemble, are eligible to audition for this special opportunity! Twenty students will be selected to perform in the MSVMA  All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble with rehearsals on January 21 (Grand Rapids, MI) and May 7 or 8  (East Lansing, MI) and an evening performance on May 7 or 8 at the MSVMA All-State Festival Gala Concert. Finalized all state dates TBD. 

The audition form and the audition videos must be submitted by 11:59 PM on December 5. In order to audition, students will need to pay a $25, non-refundable audition fee. See the directions and link below.


High school students must complete all requirements listed on the application and submit (within the form) TWO contrasting 60-second musical theatre cuts in an unlisted YouTube video by December 5 to be considered. If selected, you will be working with skilled clinicians to create a powerful musical theatre performance representing the best Musical Theatre students in the State of Michigan. Students will be screened by a panel of adjudicators. If selected, the fees for participation will be $200. 


If in need of lodging, please contact coordinator, Lyn Ciechanski at lynciechanski@msvma.org


If selected, you will be attending an all-day rehearsal workshop on January 21 at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids and an all-day rehearsal on Thursday, May 7 or Friday, May 8 at All-State Festival in East Lansing followed by a performance at the Thursday night All-State Festival Gala concert.


Remember, the deadline to complete the application for this amazing opportunity is 11:59 PM on December 5. 


Questions can be directed to lynciechanski@msvma.org.


Fees
Audition: $25 


Accepted participants

All-State MT: $200

These fees cover the cost of the following: hiring of all-state directors and pianists, accommodations for all-state directors and pianists, t-shirts for students, sheet music, any necessary arrangement costs, rental costs for performance space, etc. 

Audition Requirements - NEW FOR 2025-2026:

  • Complete form 
  • Prepare and record TWO contrasting 60-second musical theatre cuts. Upload them individually to youtube and submit via the application process. 
Audition Panel for 2025-2026:
  • Lyn CieChanski, Coordinator of All-State Musical Theatre Ensemble
  • Megan Sinclair, Director of Specialized Festivals
  • TBD, Director of All-State Musical Theatre Ensemble

Megan Sinclair

Director of Specialized Events

megansinclair@msvma.org


Lyn CieChanski

Coordinator of MT Honors Ensemble

Lynciechanski@msvma.org

Auditions Open:       

November 2, 2025


Audition Deadline:      

December 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM


Audition Results by:     

December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Registration Deadline: 

December 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Rehearsals

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Michigan Music Conference


Thursday, May 7 POSSIBLE May 8

East Lansing, Michigan


Performance

Thursday, May 7 POSSIBLE May 8

All-State Festival


2025-2026 All-State Musical Theatre Ensemble Director

Dr. Lara Brooks


Dr. Lara Brooks is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an internationally recognized soprano, stage director, and voice pedagogue. Known for her versatility across opera, musical theatre, and jazz, she has performed leading roles such as Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Clara in The Light in the Piazza, and Rosalie in School of Rock. As co-founder of The Sax & Serenade Duo, she has premiered new works for voice and saxophone at venues including the World Saxophone Congress in Spain and the Mozarthaus in Vienna. A sought-after presenter, Dr. Brooks has led workshops on contemporary voice techniques at major conferences, such as ICVT, JEN, Estill Voice Symposium, and institutions across Europe and the United States. Her directing credits span both opera and regional theatre, including award-winning productions with the Detroit Opera House, Washburn Opera Theatre, and CCT. She is also an Estill Master Trainer and a 2023 NATS Intern, with her DMA and MM from the University of Illinois and her BM/BME from Central Michigan University.

                                                                                                  

Michigan School Vocal Music Association

P.O. Box 1131

Big Rapids, MI 49307-1131

(231) 592 - 9344


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