The 2023 MTAC State VOCE Competition was held online via video submission on March 15th. Students became eligible to participate in State VOCE by being selected as “finalists” at the Southern or Northern California Regional VOCE. Congratulations to all our branch students who competed!
Representing four (4) teachers, a special congratulations goes to these San Diego Branch students who received awards at the 2023 State VOCE Competition!
Junior Solo Strings
Helen Wang, cello – Honorable Mention
Intermediate Solo Winds
Serena Liu, flute – Honorable Mention
Senior Solo Winds
Keira Suniga, bassoon – 3rd Place Tie
Daniel Tran, bassoon – Honorable Mention
Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble
“Viva Trio” – Honorable Mention
Ethan Zhou, violin; Helen Wang, cello; Melinda Wang, piano
Senior Instrumental Ensemble
“BC Duo” – Honorable Mention
Caleb Liu, bassoon & Bryce Liu, piano
NEW VOCE FORMAT
The MTAC VOCE Competition format changed beginning January 2022, with the first round, formerly a branch competition, now a regional competition, Northern and Southern California. Two (2) changes in the judging format were:
1) At Regional VOCE, numerous “finalists” in each division were selected to move on to State VOCE. All regional contestants became either a finalist or non-finalist. No awards for 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention were chosen.
(In 2022 only: all regional “finalists” were labeled “1st Place” in their VOCE portals even though no regional winners were chosen).
2) At Regional VOCE, all contestants were heard by only one (1) judge, with a separate judge assigned to each instrument—not division—but instrument: a different judge for violins than cellos, flutes than reeds, wind ensembles than string ensembles, etc. Each judge selected finalists for their specific instrument, voice, or ensembles.
The State VOCE judging format remained unchanged, with the traditional panel of two (2) judges per division selecting 1st Place Winner, 1st Alternate, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mentions.
Re-using the regional video was prohibited, and a newly recorded video was required for the state competition.
The non-competitive option remained available.
There are 10 VOCE divisions. VOCE stands for Voice, Orchestral Instruments, and Chamber Ensembles.