About Us / Our Mission

About Our Program

The Burbank High School Vocal Music Association (BHS VMA) is a nationally recognized vocal music program located in Burbank, California. For nearly three decades, the program has provided students with an extensive music education and opportunities to perform at a level rarely available in a public high school setting.

The school’s show choir program was founded in 1997 by Michelle Jensen. Brett Carroll became director in 2002 and, together with assistant director Randy Sage, has continued to develop the program while building on its original foundation. Over the years, BHS VMA has become known throughout the national show choir community for its musical standards and distinctive approach to performance.

Music Education at the Center

Although BHS VMA is widely known for its competitive show choirs, the foundation of the program is vocal music education. Students study a broad range of repertoire, from traditional choral literature to contemporary vocal music. Daily rehearsals emphasize healthy vocal technique and the development of strong individual musicians who understand their responsibility to the ensemble.

The program also offers students the opportunity to explore the theatrical side of vocal performance. Ensembles such as In Sync and Blue Impressions combine singing with choreography and production elements to create fully staged performances. Students work with professional arrangers and choreographers, gaining firsthand experience with the preparation and demands of large-scale musical productions.

An important part of the program’s philosophy is that students should be challenged to achieve more than they initially believe possible. The expectations are high, but so is the level of instruction and support provided along the way.

A History of Performance and Achievement

BHS VMA choirs have received numerous regional and national honors, including Grand Champion titles and awards for outstanding vocal performance and musicianship. The ensembles have traveled throughout the United States and Canada to participate in festivals and competitions, performing in venues that many students might otherwise never have the opportunity to experience.

Among the program’s notable achievements are national championship titles earned by In Sync at Show Choir Nationals in 2017 and 2019. The 2017 championship included a performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville. Both In Sync and Impressions also earned Grand Champion honors at a national competition in New York City in 2008 and in subsequent years in Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus Oh.

The students have participated in professional entertainment productions, including the pilot episode of the television series GLEE. They have also appeared in concerts with professional artists, including a performance opening for Broadway star Megan Hilty.

In addition to traveling and performing, BHS VMA hosts Burbank Blast, an annual national competition that brings ovwer 40 show choirs from other schools and states to Burbank for two days of performance and adjudication.

The Experience Beyond High School

For many students, participation in BHS VMA becomes one of the defining experiences of their high school years. The amount of work involved in preparing a concert or competition show requires a considerable commitment, but it also gives students the satisfaction of seeing what can be accomplished through sustained effort.

Not every student who joins the program intends to pursue a career in music. Some arrive with years of musical training, while others discover their interest in singing for the first time at Burbank High. The program is designed to serve both.

Graduates have gone on to study at universities and performing arts institutions including NYU, USC, UCLA, Columbia University, CalArts, and UC Berkeley, among many others. Some have built careers in the entertainment industry, while others have pursued entirely different fields. Many alumni remain involved with BHS VMA and continue to support the program long after graduation.

A Community-Supported Public School Program

Burbank High School serves a diverse student population, and the Vocal Music Association believes that a student’s financial circumstances should not determine their access to a quality arts education.

Providing the level of instruction and performance opportunities associated with BHS VMA requires resources well beyond those available through regular school funding. The program is largely self-funded, with much of its annual operating budget raised through donations and fundraising activities.

The Burbank Youth Vocal Arts Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established by program families, provides essential support for these efforts. Parents and volunteers contribute countless hours throughout the year to help make the program possible.

Unlike organizations supported by permanent endowments, BHS VMA must raise much of its funding anew each school year. The continued generosity of families and community supporters makes it possible to maintain the program and provide opportunities for students regardless of their financial circumstances.

Looking Ahead

Since its founding in 1997, the program has evolved considerably, but its purpose has remained the same: to give young people an opportunity to receive an excellent music education and discover what they are capable of achieving.

The awards and performances are a source of pride, but the lasting value of BHS VMA is found in the students who pass through the program and the role music continues to play in their lives.

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