Audition for Firestorm or Firestorm Jr. and see firsthand the transformation that can take place with your singer/child!
*Increased confidence
*Building independent musical skills
*Working as a team for the better of the whole
*Looking forward to rehearsals each week and interacting with peers in a positive way
*Personal progress with stage presence, microphone technique, and music making
*Excited to sing in concerts and perform in front of audiences
*Gain professional level experiences with experienced directors who understand not only the genre of music but also child and musical development
*Sing on individual microphones with live sound in concerts, personal recording studio sessions for group recordings featured on Spotify/Apple Music, group music videos featured on YouTube, and additional performance opportunities
(Not all opportunities are guaranteed each session or year and vary by group, but our goal is to have a broad variety of professional experiences and offerings)
READY TO AUDITION OR REGISTER FOR YOUR 4 WEEK TRIAL?
Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Make sure to fill out audition registration form prior to auditions.
4 Week Trial - Please also complete the registration form.
Firestorm is the first program of it's kind in Michigan for a cappella performing groups for ages 8-17+ outside of the public schools. The training is for singers and beat-boxers and offered at the highest level possible. In its first year, Firestorm has become a team of singing friends where everyone needs to rely on everyone else to find success. At this time, all previous year's members must re-audition for the upcoming year in order to put together the most balanced groups based on age, experience, and ability level.
A Cappella music is singing and music making as a group with just the human voice, mouth (aka: beat-boxing), and occasional body parts like hand claps, finger snaps, stomps, or chest thumps. Musically, think Pentatonix or Aca Pop Kids and you will have the style. Group singing in harmony, soloists, and a beat boxer. The groups will often perform on individual mics but sometimes just acoustically off-mic in a small space.
A Cappella singing and performance can be very difficult to do well so it's important those who audition have some experience in vocal training through choirs or musicals and/or private lessons.
Firestorm is split up into groupings based on age, ability, experience, and availability for extra rehearsals (for our Competition Group). Both groups are auditioned (or vetted through a 4 week trial) and exist for those who not only love to sing but are dedicated singers. Practice at home outside of rehearsals is expected each week in order to be successful. While there may be some overlap with ages we aim to place the singer in the group that will allow them to be the best version of themselves right now both musically and socially.
Firestorm RISING STARS.
*Beginner to Intermediate a cappella
*Recommended 1-2 years of school choir experience OR private voice/beat-box lessons (experience in musicals/plays can also be helpful)
*Ages 8-14
Firestorm COMPETITION GROUP
*Intermediate to Advanced a cappella
*Recommended 2-4 years of school choir experience AND private voice/beat-box lessons (experience in musicals/plays can also be helpful)
*Ages 12-17+ (the + means 18 but still in high school)
Apple Music, Spotify, and Streaming
During our first year we released our first single, Valerie (as performed by Amy Winehouse), on all streaming platforms and we plan to do more recording to release more music this year. Eventually we plan to release an EP or full length album.
Music Videos
We also released a music video based on our Valerie recording that we put on YouTube in May. We plan to do more music videos this year and ramp up the professionalism.
The Directors
The program has been developed by veteran music educator and life-long a cappella singer Brian
Haverkate. Brian has over 20 years experience in the classroom teaching music to students in grades K-12 and has been singing a cappella music for more than 3 decades. In fact, Brian was one of the first in the state of Michigan and nationally to develop these types of a cappella performing groups at the schools where he has taught.
Brian Haverkate, owner + director David Garvey, co-director
David Garvey, is a tenor and a student at Eastern Michigan University where he will be completing his BA in Vocal Music Education in April. After graduating, he hopes to teach middle or high school choir. David is also a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, audio engineer, and producer. He is an experienced leader and has operated and directed several a cappella groups. David enjoys listening to podcasts and spending time with his fiancée, Becky, and their dog, Clover.
an auditioned group for anyone ages 8-14. This group will focus on the basics of a cappella and harmony singing through an intermediate level, perform some of the most celebrated timeless a cappella classics as well as current hits and popular songs from throughout the decades.
$327 per session (double session - September through May - billed in September and January)
Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Make sure to fill out audition registration form prior to auditions.
an auditioned group for anyone ages 12-17+. This group will focus on developing their own unique group sound, sing advanced vocal arrangements (and have arrangements written specifically for the voices in the group), and perform at a high level with some choreographed movement/staging. This group will be traveling to a cappella festivals and applying to compete in competitions as a requirement of being a part of the group.
$447 per session (double session - September through May - billed in September and January)
Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Make sure to fill out audition registration form prior to auditions.
“I highly recommend Brian Haverkate. My daughter takes private lessons for voice and piano with him and she looks forward to her lessons each week. He's extremely flexible and keeps his students involved with making decisions about the music they'll work on which makes it so much fun.
She is also a member of Firestorm A Cappella which has been a game changer for her. She's always wanted to be a part of a team and tried all of the sports but nothing was a good fit. Firestorm is it! Her confidence is soaring and being under the direction of Mr. Haverkate is giving her so many special opportunities!”
- KATIE GRANT (parent)
Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Make sure to fill out audition registration form prior to auditions.
"Brian Haverkate is a shining star in scholastic a cappella, one of the earliest adopters of the style, pioneering best practices and techniques, and remains at the forefront of the genre.”
DEKE SHARON
(PITCH PERFECT music producer, THE SING OFF on NBC producer)
“The quality of Brian’s work in a cappella is without question some of the best at the nationwide High School level. The level of achievement his groups have reached is impressive in it’s own right. How quickly they have progressed under his guidance and direction is even more striking. I have seen Brian work with the high school students in both live performance and during studio recording. The students respect and look up to him. They love singing.”
Carl Taylor
(Liquid 5th Studios)
Brian Haverkate is a bonafide scholastic a cappella pioneer - he’s been teaching the style at an incredibly high level long before it was cool! I know this firsthand, because my journey toward a career in vocal music started in his high school class.
His passion for a cappella music is so clearly reflected in the enthusiasm he inspires in his students. He works tirelessly to provide his students with every possible opportunity to engage with the larger a cappella community, perform at a high level, and to retain vital music and leadership skills.
Not only is Brian a knowledgeable and experienced musician, but he is a compassionate, encouraging educator. His students look up to him, and trust him to be the type of leader who believes in their ability to take ownership of their musical journeys. This support made all the difference to me as a young musician, and allowed me to pursue my musical goals joyfully and without fear. It was his encouragement that set me along the path to finding my social and professional community within the world of contemporary a cappella. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Brian - he is hands-down one of the best a cappella educators on the scene.
— Mason Van Gieson (VICE a cappella)
Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Make sure to fill out audition registration form prior to auditions.
Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Auditions are in 3 parts - tell a joke, sing a solo, and sing a part in the group song you learned in advance. All info in the file above. Make sure to fill out audition registration form prior to auditions.
Ignite your passion for music.
Ignite your passion for singing.
Ignite your passion for performing.
Groups I have worked with and started in the past have achieved some pretty incredible results. While never overnight, the investment and effort is worth the outcome in both group achievements + individual growth.
My groups have been featured on BOHSA and BOCA albums 10+ times since 2001.
My groups have applied and been accepted to perform in prestigious a cappella festivals as spotlight performers. They have even performed for Pentatonix.
My groups have competed and advanced in competition numerous times over the years. Several groups have performed in the National Finals in New York City.
My groups have applied and been accepted to perform at the National A Cappella Convention.
©2023 BRIANHAVERKATEMUSIC LLC. All rights reserved.
