James Carey and the Great Lakes Chorus

Jamie Carey has a degree in Vocal Music Education and a Masters degree from Michigan State University. His choral directing and vocal coaching experience spans over 30 years.

Jamie started his barbershop directing career by developing and chartering the Cadillac Interlakes Chorus in 1985.  In 1993 he became director of the Lansing Capital City Chordsmen and led them to 2 district championships in 1996 and 1999.        In 2000 Jamie began directing the Great Lakes Chorus. Under his direction the Great Lakes Chorus quickly won the district championship and appeared 3 consecutive times at the International Competition in 2000, 2001 & 2002.  Jamie retired as director of the Great Lakes Chorus at the end of 2002 to concentrate on coaching and his family.

Jamie is also an experienced quartet singer winning 4 district championships as a lead singer. Full Chord Press in 1993, Firepower in 1995, Dexters Alibi in 2011 in the Southwest District and most recently with Majestyx in 2012. Jamie has also competed at the International level with Full Chord Press in 1993, three times with Firepower in 1995, 1996 and 1998 and most recently qualified for the International competition with Majestyx in 2013, 2014 and 2015.  Jamie has also coached numerous choruses and quartets to district championships over the years. In addition to coaching, he teaches a performance singing/vowel class and has worked with both the South West and Pioneer Districts sharing this class with choruses, quartets and at district sponsored events.

In January of 2014 Jamie returned once again to direct The Great Lakes Chorus in Grand Rapids.  Since returning the Great Lakes chorus has won the Pioneer District Chorus Championship, qualified to represent the district at International competition in Pittsburg 2015 most recently qualified to represent the Pioneer District in the International competition in the summer of 2106 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Although Jamie has obtained many accolades, the accomplishment he is most proud of is getting both his sons involved in barbershop.  His older son Jay (25) sings with Great Northern Union in Minneapolis and is the Bass of “Vocal Fury” and Jamie’s youngest son Cole sings with “The Voice” youth chorus and is a front row member of the Great Lakes Chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqmZnzD6Oqc

About The Great Lakes Mens Chorus

The Grand Rapids Chapter of Barbershop Singers began almost 70 years ago in 1947.   At the first ever International Championship in Detroit in 1953, the Great Lakes Chorus was named Champion.   Since that time The Great Lakes Chorus has continued its legacy as a championship chorus.  They have been crowned District Champions 12 times and have represented the State of Michigan’s Pioneer District 20 times at the International Contest.

The Great Lakes Chorus is made up of men from all walks of life and varying ages from 14 to 82.  There is no need to read music, just be a singer!  The chorus rehearses weekly in Grand Rapids, but includes members from as far away as Indian River, Big Rapids, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Mt. Pleasant, Lansing and the Detroit Metro area.

Most recently The Great Lakes Men’s barbershop chorus under the direction of Jamie Carey won the right to represent the state of Michigan at the international finals in Nashville 2016.  At the contest they achieved the highest score every recorded in the state’s history.  Their highly polished and entertaining aceppella performance sparked the audience to a standing ovation.

If you are interested in learning more about the Great Lakes Chorus go to www.greatlakeschorus.org or attend one of our rehearsals on Monday night from 7:00 to 9:00 at the 2^nd Congregational Church located at 525 Cheshire Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI.