For over two decades, Vocal Arts has produced the Central Coast Choral Festival, which brings over 55 school choirs, elementary, middle and high school, from all over California to the beautiful Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo, on the Cal Poly campus, to compete in a professionally adjudicated concert. Local judges give important feedback to choir directors and students and it's a chance for students to perform on a professional stage. Last year we hosted 40 schools and 1,307 students from elementary school to high school. Eleven schools took home engraved plaques for choral excellence.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT Central Coast Choral Festival 2025. Cal Poly Performing Arts Center. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Thursday, March 20 from 10 am, to 1:00 Pm featuring elementary and intermediate choirs and Friday March 21 from 10:00 am to 9 pm. featuring intermediate and advanced choirs. More detail to follow. Please email cccfestival805@gmail.com.

Additionally, to further our mission of choral excellence in the schools, The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht Music Education Endowment was established in 2017 in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Voca Arts Ensemble. The endowment provides for scholarships in the areas of choral music and orchestral strings. Each year we award a $1000 scholarship to up to two local high school seniors to continue their education in music.

Last year Matilda Bravante of Morro Bay High School won for choral music.

In 2022, Colin Guan of San Luis Obispo High School won for orchestral strings. Hannah Snow of Heartland Charter School in Santa Maria won for choral music.

Applications are sent to local high schools choir and music directors and are DUE by Friday, March 28th 2025 to qualify. Must be a senior. For more information please contact Kate Albert, Executive Director, Vocal Arts Ensemble, (805) 541-6797, or kate@vocalarts.org

From Hannah Snow:

"I am so thankful for this scholarship because I am able to attend Pepperdine University and am pursuing a degree in theater directing. Thank you so very much. I really appreciate the scholarship."

From Colin Guan:
" I am extremely grateful to Vocal Arts and the Lamprechts for helping me reach my potential. I would not be able to attend Columbia University and The Juilliard School without their support!"

From Matilda Bravante:
" After graduation I will be attending Cuesta College where I plan to continue private singing lessons centered around Jazz and continue working and developing my voice along with playing gigs with my band and joining Cuesta's Jazz Choir.