MSM Bridge Program

MISSION: To bridge experiences of singers in educational institutions with opportunities to continue artistic engagement and growth in the community as a lifelong pursuit.

Three Opportunity Levels

  • Bridge Scholars

    – High School students broaden their musical experience alongside top-notch adult singers from around the greater Milwaukee area while performing diverse and challenging repertoire under the leadership of MSM Artistic Director and UW-Milwaukee Director of Choral Activities Dr. Zack Durlam. Students can receive valuable community service credit under MSM’s nonprofit designation and may request letters of recommendation based on tenure with the group. Scholars are awarded a $300 per concert cycle or $1000 per full year (3 cycles) scholarship and have the annual $120 singer pledge waived. MSM Scholars must be a student in good standing at an area high school.

  • Bridge Interns

    – College/University students broaden their musical experience and develop local connections with top-notch adult singers from around the greater Milwaukee area while performing diverse and challenging repertoire under the leadership of MSM Artistic Director and UW-Milwaukee Director of Choral Activities Dr. Zack Durlam. Interested interns can obtain real-world experience in the organizational and structural nuances of a nonprofit arts organization including infrastructure, grant writing, leadership governance and development, and marketing and branding expertise. Interns may request letters of recommendation based on tenure with the group and are paid $450 per concert cycle or $1500 per full year (3 cycles) and have the annual $120 singer pledge waived. MSM Interns must be a current student in good standing at an area college, university, community college, or trade school

  • Bridge Apprentices

    – Music master’s degree students or early career conductor-teachers serve as an assistant conductor and singer with the Master Singers of Milwaukee. The MSM Apprentice will rehearse and conduct one piece per concert cycle, lead sectionals, sing as a part of the choir, run rehearsals in the artistic director’s absence, and assist the artistic director with musical leadership of an auditioned community ensemble with a roster of over 80 vocalists. The MSM Apprentice works alongside and receives feedback from MSM Artistic Director and UW-Milwaukee Director of Choral Activities Dr. Zack Durlam and will have opportunities for networking with singers, music educators, and other professionals from around the greater Milwaukee area. Interested apprentices can also obtain real-world experience in the organizational and structural nuances of a nonprofit arts organization including infrastructure, grant writing, leadership governance and development, and marketing and branding expertise. Apprentices may request letters of recommendation based on tenure with the group and are paid $750 per concert cycle or $2500 per full year (3 cycles) and have the annual $120 singer pledge waived. MSM Apprentices must have completed a bachelor’s degree in music and be either enrolled a music graduate program or in their first five years of a music or music teaching career since completing their bachelor’s.

Current Participants

Samyiah Harper – Scholar

Samyiah Harper, a senior at Nathan Hale High School, is a committed member of the Master Singers of Milwaukee Bridge Program, and is honored to receive a scholarship for her dedication to music. Outside of choir, Samyiah is passionate about theater and songwriting. She also has a love for illustrating, creating art that complements her creative projects. With a diverse range of artistic pursuits, Samyiah is excited to continue exploring and blending their creative passions, both within the choir and beyond.

Quinn Buschmann – Scholar

Quinn Bushmann is a senior in high school at Ronald W Reagan high school. He has been singing for 3 years and is planning on attending UWM in the fall for music education. In his free time he enjoys biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Mason Chester-Hopkins – Scholar

Mason Chester-Hopkins is a junior in high school with the intent to pursue music education in college. He has enjoyed music since he can remember and believes music is something that connects all people. Mason spends his free time making/listening to music and hanging out with friends.

Sarah Melcher – Apprentice

Sarah Melcher is a Milwaukee native and alumni of UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. At UWM Sarah completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education with certification in K-12 General Music and Choral Music, as well as a minor in theater studies. For the past three years she has been teaching in the Wauwatosa School District and now directs the choral programs at both Wauwatosa East and West High Schools. In addition to her choirs, Sarah is the music director for Wauwatosa West’s theater productions. Most recently she music directed “Legally Blonde,” “Hadestown: Teen Edition,”  “9 to 5: the Musical,” and “Frozen: the Broadway Musical,” the last of which performed on the national stage at the International Thespian Festival conference in June of 2024 and earned Sarah an award for her music direction. Sarah has sung with the Master Singers of Milwaukee since spring of 2022 and is delighted to be a part of the bridge program as the “Apprentice.” Her latest efforts have led towards creating a vocal jazz choir from the Master Singers group to challenge interested singers in studying jazz literature.

Henry Maes – Intern

Henry Maes is incredibly excited to be in Master Singers’ Bridge Program as an Intern. He is currently a student at UW-Milwaukee and will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in urban studies with a minor in music. At UWM he is a member of Kameraden Chorus and Kameraden Plus; he has previously been a member of UWM’s Concert Chorale. After graduation, Henry hopes to stay in Milwaukee and continue his time in Master Singers

SELECTION PROCESS: MSM Scholars, Interns, and Apprentices are selected through an application and audition process:

APPLICATION:

    • Interested parties fill out the online form below to apply.
    • Applications are open year-round. Finalist auditions for year-long and first-cycle commitments will be held during summer (details below). Additional per-cycle-only finalist auditions will be held in November and February.
    • Scholars and Interns apply by August 15 to be considered for full-year or first-cycle positions. Apply by November 1 or February 1 for second- or third-cycle consideration.
    • Apprentices apply by August 1 to be considered for the full-year or first-cycle apprenticeship. Apply by October 15 or January 15 for second- or third-cycle consideration.

AUDITION:

    • Selected applicants will be invited to audition with Artistic Director Zack Durlam. MSM Scholar, Intern, and Apprentice positions will be awarded following the completion of all auditions.
    • Bring a prepared song to perform at your audition. This could be the Star Spangled Banner, a classical solo, a musical theatre piece, or anything you feel comfortable and confident performing. The song does not need to be memorized. MSM will provide a pianist.
    • After your prepared song, the Artistic Director will assess your musical skills and vocal range. This process may include some easy warm-ups, sight reading, tonal memory exercises, and basic questions about your musical experience and knowledge. No preparation is necessary for this portion of the audition.
    • Provide the name and contact information for a reference who is not a family member. This person should be an adult teacher, coach, administrator, supervisor, or group leader who can discuss your character, work ethic, and leadership skills. Music teacher references are ideal, but the reference does not need to be a musician. Choose a person who knows you well and can speak accurately and positively about you and your work.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • All Scholars, Interns, and Apprentices must participate in required performances and at least 90% of rehearsals per concert cycle
  • Regular rehearsals are Tuesdays from 7-9:30 p.m. in Wauwatosa. Each concert cycle includes one additional 3-hour dress rehearsal
  • Scholars, Interns, and Apprentices will provide a testimonial regarding their time and experience with MSM upon the conclusion of their service
  • All participants are expected to display strong character, work ethic, and responsibility

CONTACT US TO APPLY

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