MCHS Vocal Music

Founded in 1927, the MCHS Vocal Music Department currently represents approximately one third of the student body in twelve choirs. Concert Choir, Varsity Choir, and two sections of Mixed Chorus perform in three formal concerts and a variety of contest and community settings. Eight other auditioned ensembles are organized as specialty groups: The Varsity Chamber Choir, Varsity Madrigal Choir, Concert Chamber Choir, Concert Madrigal Choir, Treble Clef Choir and Bass Clef Choir perform historical music literature in a variety of concerts and competitions. The Varsity Show Choir and Chorale perform popular music with choreography. The MCHS Follies, considered one of America's longest running high school variety shows, annually features performances by these show choirs.

The MCHS Concert Choir has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Chicago's Orchestra Hall, and sang for Vice President Gore with the Prime Minister of Japan at the U.S. State Department. The ensemble was selected to represent North America for the 56th Annual Habaneras Festival in Spain. In 2013 the documentary film Invisible Threads, covering a year in the life of the MCHS Vocal Music Department, premiered on public television. MCHS choirs have earned 40 First Place Awards at international competitions, and appeared for numerous ACDA conventions. MCHS is honored to have been named both a "Grammy Signature School," and the first "State of Iowa Exemplary Music Program."

The Concert Choir was featured in Dr. James Jordan's textbook The School Choral Program as an exemplar of high school choirs. The ensemble performed with Academy Award winning Broadway legends Marvin Hamlisch, Shirley Jones, and has appeared on CBS national television. The Governor proclaimed the MCHS Concert Choir "Musical Ambassadors of Iowa." Many MCHS choir alumni have become professional musicians and educators, with several performing on Broadway and in Hollywood films.