You may think that your solo work is all that really counts in a vocal performance degree. However, diva-in-training or not, singing in a choir or ensemble is part of the package at almost every vocal education program in the U.S.
Ensembles and choral groups have a great deal to offer solo singers. Some of the greatest performers are also the greatest ensemble singers–after all, most operas contain more ensembles than solos. Your work in a university choir or vocal ensemble can teach you more than just how to “blend.” You’ll hone musical skills by sight-reading, and by singing different languages and musical styles. And many choirs perform at least one major work every year, giving their singers the chance to learn standard repertoire. Becoming familiar with major choral works prepares you well for the professional world.
Since you have to be in a choir, you might as well be in the best you can find. We went to the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA) and came up with a list of the college and university choirs selected to perform at the biennial national ACDA conventions over the past 20 years.
William R. McMillan, choral director at the University of Texas at El Paso and chairman of the ACDA’s national committee on repertoire and standards for university choirs, told us, “These convention choirs have succeeded in a vigorous audition process. There are probably some very good programs that do not submit audition tapes, but I suspect that the number is very small.”
Competition for a slot on the convention roster is stiff, with hundreds of choirs in the running. No choir may perform at two consecutive conventions but may skip one convention and apply to perform at the next one.
Finding your university’s choir on this list may or may not make a difference to you–but participating in a quality choral program can’t help but add to your general musical education, and that’s what going to school is about.
Four performances since 1981:
Harvard University
Three performances since 1981:
Arizona State University
Ohio State University
Texas Christian University
University of North Dakota
University of Illinois
University of Southern California
Two performances since 1981:
Brigham Young University
California State University
Chapman University
Furman University
Loyola Marymount University
Michigan State University
Oklahoma State University
Ricks College
San Jose State University
Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary
Texas Tech University
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Utah State University
Wartburg College
Wheaton College
One performance since 1981:
Anderson University
Angelo State University
Austin Peay State University
Bakersfield College
Birmingham–Southern College
Bowling Green State University
Bryn Mawr College
Calvin College
Central Washington University
Columbia College
Doshisha Women’s College
Eastern Tennessee State University
Eastman School of Music–U. of Rochester
Foothill College
Florida State University
Glassboro State College
Howard University
Illinois University
Indiana University
James Madison University
Jackson State University
Kentucky State University
Loma Linda University
Long Beach City College
Louisiana State University
Luther College
Morehouse College
Morris Brown College
Nebraska Wesleyan University
New England Conservatory
Northeast Missouri State University
Northern Arizona University
Northern Texas State University
Northwestern University
Notre Dame College
Oral Roberts University
Pacific Lutheran University
Parkland Community College
Pennsylvania State University
Porterville College
Portland State University
Richland College
St. Olaf College
Sam Houston State University
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Seminary
Southwest Iowa Community College
Southwest Texas State University
Southwestern Missouri State University
Temple University
Texas All-State Community College
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of Central Arkansas
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado–Boulder
University of Dayton
University of Georgia
University of Miami
University of Montevallo
University of Nebraska
University of North Carolina–Greensboro
University of Northern Texas
University of Regina
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Texas–Arlington
University of Texas–Austin
University of Texas–San Antonio
University of Utah
University of Western Ontario
University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of South Carolina
Waldorf College
West Kentucky University
West Texas State University
Westminster Choir College
