VOCE stands for Vocalists, Orchestral instrumentalists, Chamber music and Ensembles. It is a prestigious competition for the above-mentioned disciplines at the Branch and State levels. In 1971, cellist Gretchen Kuehny Geber and pianist Eleonor Dalton of MTAC’s San Fernando West Valley Branch created VOCE as a means of providing solo and chamber ensemble opportunities for students.

The first State VOCE Recital was held July 7, 1972 at the MTAC Convention in North Hollywood. Since then, the program has grown from five winning categories to ten. In 1998, 244 students performed, resulting in 46 competing finalists. Today, there are well over 100 hundred young musicians from across the state performing at the State Finals.  Santa Clara chapter has 7-10 students who qualify for State Finals each year.

There are Student Performing Divisions for Solo Voice, Solo Instrument, Vocal Ensemble, and Instrumental Ensemble. Each division is further divided into age groups. First place winners of Branch Competitions advance to State Finals, and First place winners of State Finals perform at the State Convention in order to receive their cash awards and plaques.

More information is available on the MTAC Website.