Vocalese is one of five vocal jazz ensembles from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. Vocalese has regularly been invited to perform at the State Vocal Jazz Championships, placing in the top three each year, and participates in many festivals and clinics. Vocalese has received several Downbeat Magazine recognitions in recent years, under current and previous direction. As a part of a thriving program that also includes seven choral ensembles, and three show choirs 9-12, Vocalese demonstrates the excellence cultivated by balancing strong choral tradition with other genres and styles. The school was the first recipient of the Grammy Signature School Award in 1999 and strives to continue to offer high-quality learning experiences for all students within the program.