For more information, click on the links below.

• VOCE Competition Guidelines and Eligibility
• VOCE Application Form
• VOCE Branch Chair Packet
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• VOCE Convention 2008 Winners

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History of VOCE

In September 1971 Gretchen Kuehny Geber, cellist, and Eleonor Dalton, pianist, both members of the San Fernando West Valley Branch, co-founded the VOCE program/competition. It was designed to present an opportunity to students featuring performances in solo and chamber ensembles. The project was called VOCE, which represented the following: Vocalists, Orchestral instrumentalists, Chamber music, Ensembles.

The first State VOCE Recital was held July 7, 1972 at the State Convention in North Hollywood with four winners: Nina Bodner-Horton, violin, Jo Ann Georgostathis, lyric soprano, Joseph Gole, tenor, and Michelle Milner, cellist. Since 1972 the program has grown from five to ten categories. By 1998, two hundred forty-four students had competed statewide and forty-six finalists were in the competition. The State Finals in 2004 had one hundred finalists compete and fifteen were chosen to perform at the State Convention in July.

In the Fall of 1997, the Gretchen Geber Memorial VOCE Fund was set up in the MTAC Foundation to receive donations from students, friends and businesses to assure the perpetuation of the program. Information regarding donations to this fund may be obtained by contacting the MTAC State Office, or send a check to the state office designated to MTAC Foundation - VOCE Fund.

All Branches of MTAC may have a VOCE competition plus a non-competitive recital. Branch First Place Winners may advance to the State Finals competition. First Place Winners of the State Finals competition will be asked to perform on the VOCE Recital at the MTAC State Convention in July, where they will receive their cash awards. Award amounts are announced in the Guidelines which are available through the Branch President, Assistant State Chair or VOCE Chair.

For more information, contact:

• VOCE Chair North,
• VOCE Chair South,