Local vocal talent participating in festival May 3-4

West Bloomfield High School’s best voices will be on display next week when the school’s A concert choir and choral group sing at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) State Choral Festival at Rochester High School on Tuesday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 4.

The A concert choir, an intermediate group which consists of 52 students, is scheduled to perform at 7:45 p.m. on May 3 with an appearance by student conductor Chris Brody.

The choral group, comprised of 36 students, will follow at 9:30 a.m. on May 4 and will include solo performances by Amerah Shakoor, Candance Smith, Erika Lowenthal and Lexi Cook.

The West Bloomfield High School Choral Department is directed by Sheryl Hauk.

“The judges come from out-of-state universities and sometimes around the world to judge the state festival,” Hauk said.

“The A concert choir is made up of men and women with eight parts ranging from soprano to bass, while the choral group is comprised mostly of freshmen women with three parts.”

Both groups will be looking to follow up the success of the Laker Express A cappella group, which received top scores at the MSVMA Solo and Ensemble Festival held on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16, where Brody, Rose Fillip, Ciara Jones, Claire Jolliffe, Meghan Jolliffe and Jocelyn Kircsh all received No. 1 ratings.

Brody, Brian Baylor and Evan Marymee also recently received 2011 All-State Honors Choir recognition.