Irving S. Gilmore School of Music

Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival Calendar

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2026

  1. Early September – Email and mail 2026 workshop information.
    Schools should respond promptly via the online registration form to register.
  2. Friday, Sept. 25 – Fall Workshop
    Committee will meet at 9 a.m.
    Directors should bring their "best octet" with them (maximum of eight students).
    Association membership fee of $75 must be paid at the workshop.
  3. Before Oct. 15 – Email summary of Fall Workshop meeting.

2027

  1. Before Jan. 15 – Email Honors Choir audition information to the schools.
    Schools hold auditions at their facility with a guest adjudicator.
  2. Monday, Feb. 1 – Deadline for submitting Honors Choir audition results.
    Results are due via email by the end of the business day.
  3. Monday, Feb. 1 – Email 2027 festival registration information to all directors who attended the Fall Workshop.
  4. Wednesday, Feb. 3 – Honors Choir audition results will be emailed to directors and mailed to each student who auditioned (along with additional Honors Choir details).
  5. Friday, March 5 – Deadline for submitting online festival registration to WMU.
    Note: The festival is not obligated to accept registrations received after Friday, March 5.
    Per capita fee of $8 per Festival Chorus student or $10 per Honors Choir student should be mailed as soon as possible after registering, but do not delay submitting the form; your business office can mail the check later.
  6. Tuesday, March 9 – Seating tickets will be sent by priority mail.
  7. Honors Choir rehearsals
    Monday, March 15 – 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Dalton Center Zegree Rehearsal Room 1116
    Monday, March 22 – 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Dalton Center Zegree Rehearsal Room 1116
    Wednesday, March 24 – 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Dalton Center Zegree Rehearsal Room 1116
    Wednesday, March 24 – 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Dalton Center Zegree Rehearsal Room 1116
    Thursday, March 25 – 4 to 5:15 p.m. in Miller Auditorium (Festival Day).
  8. Thursday, March 25 – Festival Day
      9:15    Suggested chorus arrival time
      9:45    Latest possible chorus arrival time
      9:45    Announcements and introductions
    10:00    Morning rehearsal begins
    12:00    Morning rehearsal concludes
    12:15    Conductors buffet lunch and annual meeting
    12:15    WMU ensemble dress rehearsal (concludes 1:15)
      1:30    Sectional rehearsals begin
      2:15    Sectional rehearsals conclude
      2:30    Afternoon rehearsal begins
      4:00    Afternoon rehearsal concludes
      4:00    Honors Choir run-through begins
      5:15    Latest conclusion of Honors Choir run-through
      5:15    WMU ensemble dress rehearsal (concludes 6:15)
      6:45    Chorus reports to seating area
      7:00    Concert begins
  9. Friday, May 1 – Do everything possible to email link for audio recording files to schools by this date.
  10. Before June 1 – Do everything possible to mail 2028 music list by this date.