Youth Music Education
Developing The Next Generation of Choral Enthusiasts
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 2026 April 23-April 24th at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. Entry Fees $400 per choir. Featuring intermediate and advanced choir high school and junior high school choirs. More detail to follow. Please email us at cccfestival805@gmail.com.
The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht Education Endowment
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 $1500 scholarship to up to two local high school seniors and/or Cuesta College music students to continue their education in music.
In 2023 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 27th 2026 to qualify. Must be a senior or a Cuesta College student. For more information please contact Kate Albert, Executive Director, Vocal Arts Ensemble, (805) 541-6797, or kate@vocalarts.org
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Darby Turner
Darby Turner is a dedicated violinist and violinist with over ten years of experience. She studied under Dr. Valerie Berg-Johansen in San Luis Obispo and has performed with the Slo Youth Symphony, showcasing her versatility and passion for ensemble work. Darby also participated in the Redfish Music Festival in Oregon, further enriching her musical journey. This fall, she will begin her studies in Music Education at the University of Oregon, where she hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians.
2024 Lamprecht Scholarship recipients Hailey Summers & Sebastian Marano
Prior Scholarship Recipients
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 winner in 2022:
" 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 winner in 2023:
" 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.
