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Vision Male Ensemble

Vision Male Ensemble is a choir group comprised of all male students who attend the school, Detroit School of Arts (DSA) and it has been in existence for over eleven years. Vision is under the direction of DSA music teacher Ms. Cheryl Valentine. Vision Male Ensemble received many awards and honors through out its years.

Performances and Rankings
The choir performed at the Fox Theatre for Evening and Fine Arts (EFA), and at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2006. In December of 2007, the choir performed at the governor’s residence for Governor Jennifer Granholm. They had the opportunity to perform at the swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Dave Bing in Detroit. Vision Male Ensemble also performed on the FOX NEWS Channel. The choir was ranked second nationally and internationally at the Maestro Music Festival, ranked second place at the Heritage Festival, and received a rating of excellent at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA).

How the Name Came to Be
The second year that Vision Male Ensemble had been together, they decided that they needed a name, because other groups in DSA had names. They brought up quite a few names to the front and discussed the meanings. The group decided on Vision because they wanted to make a positive impact on their community as well as society. They wanted people to know that they had a purpose in what they were doing.

The Director
Ms. Valentine is a graduate of Detroit’s Cass Technical High School. She received her B.A. degree from Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia) and her Masters degree in the Arts of Teaching from Marygrove College (Detroit, Michigan). She has taught in the Detroit Public School for over twenty-eight years. She is a member and Director of the music ministry (Rev. Dr. Keith L. Whitney, Pastor)

Music
Vision Male Ensemble sing different genres. The choir sings negro spirituals, classical, foreign, gospel, and soul. One of Vision's favorite song to sing is "Rock-a My Soul" arranged by Don Reiger.

List of pieces sung
"N'Kosi Sikelel ' I Afrika"                  (arr. by G.Larentz-Jones)

"Tshotsholoza"                              (arr. by Jeffery L. Ames)

"Little Innocent Lamb"                         (arr. by M. Bartholomew)

"Everytime I feel the Spirit"                  (arr. by Raymond Wise)

"Order My Steps"                                   (arr. by Glenn Burleigh)

"If My People"                                        (arr. by Brandon Waddles)

"Git On Boad"                                         (arr. by Damien Danderigde)

"Dere's No Hiding Place"                        (arr. by Stacy V. Gibbs)

"The Tabernacle of God is With Men"    (arr. by Edwin Fissinger)

"Steal Away"                                            (arr. by Jullius Miller)

"My Girl"                                                  (By the Temptations)

"Just My Imagination"                              (By the Temptations)