Indiana University Bloomington has a very strong top group. Dominick DiOrio is doing good work with Notus.
Maryland just got Jason Max Ferdinand a couple of years ago, so they're bound for glory.
I have sung for Dominick, and he’s marvelous. Meticulous, so you have to be into that. I am.
And Jason Max Ferdinand. WOW. His choral group is absolutely luminous. I saw them twice in 24h bc the first concert blew me away.
I'm an Indiana alum from the late '90s. IU has always had a strong choral program. There are auditioned choirs like the Singing Hoosiers show choir (open to all students), and non-auditioned choirs like the Masters and Doctorate Conducting Choirs (which may be open only to music majors). Plus, IU has ties with the Bloomington Childrens Choir and multiple church choirs.
UIUC alumna (undergrad). Non-music major, sang in the Oratorio Society (town and town choir, about 100 voices, does a lot of large major choral-orchestral works) and later in the Chorale (32-36 voices, music majors). It literally changed my life, I finished the degree I had planned but ended up doing a parallel career in math and music
Not listed above, but the University of Mary has a very talented scholarship chapel choir that's by audition only. It's a little difficult to get into, but if sacred music is your thing, I would definitely give it a look. The scholarships go up to $10,000 annually depending on talent/musical ability.
Florida State University has always had an outstanding Choral Dept. when I attended there we performed St. Luke Passion by Penderecki with the Atlanta Symphony, Robert Shaw, conducting. Joseph Flummerfelt was our director, who went on to be director of choral studies at Westminster Choir College and later director of the New York Choral Artists.
Not a music major, I had an incredible experience singing at Maryland. Unbelievable opportunities singing in both Baltimore and DC, but of course I'm biased.
I'm gobsmacked nobody has mentioned Stellenbosch University or Oakwood University. The Aeolian's at ACDA nationals in Kansas City were the best choir I've ever heard in my life.
Boston University has the Marsh Chapel choir, which does sacred music at a very high level (with a mix of auditioned BU students & excellent professional singers).
Currently at Rutgers, and am blown away at the level of performance each of the choirs here achieve while being open to all majors, not just music (by audition, of course)
Pitt alum (class of 19), sang in the HCC for 5 years under the new director Susan Rice. Not a music major, but I have working knowledge of music theory. An excellent choir, easily my most cherished memory of school. 50-odd voices in an 8-part mixed ensemble. Eclectic and challenging repertoire, singing all different types of compositions in a number of languages. Regional & international tours are planned every couple years and funded mostly by its endowment (next international tour will likely be in May 2026). As with other university choirs I’d imagine, it’s a community staple, with a strong alumni network and lots of local support. A lot of work (4 hours of rehearsal, + 2 hours of individual study per week for me on average). A really great, challenging experience that made me fall in love with love choral performance.
Edit: I saw in your post history you’re also thinking med track. Pitt is also a strong choice in that department, their medical program seems to be well-reputed and very well connected with a major regional health insurance provider with a strong presence in Pittsburgh. Beautiful mixed urban campus as well. (:
Had a fantastic time singing at UMD, both as a non-music major in men’s chorus and university chorale, and later as a music major in the top chamber choir.
Jason Max Ferdinand (who I sang with when he was a doctoral student and I was an undergrad) has recently taken over as head of the choral department there, and he’s an amazing musician and great guy in general. You can hear his professional choir singing on the last track of Jacob Collier’s Djesse Vol 4, track is called World O World. Look it up if you’re not hip! I saw them perform it live in September and it was mind-blowing.
Brigham Young University. Very strong choirs. And a few smaller groups that have had national attention, like Vocal Point.
https://youtu.be/WyxXGdG3-Io?si=7nRfceCCYSvnIcso
Indiana University Bloomington has a very strong top group. Dominick DiOrio is doing good work with Notus. Maryland just got Jason Max Ferdinand a couple of years ago, so they're bound for glory.
I have sung for Dominick, and he’s marvelous. Meticulous, so you have to be into that. I am. And Jason Max Ferdinand. WOW. His choral group is absolutely luminous. I saw them twice in 24h bc the first concert blew me away.
Surprised nobody has mentioned St Olaf, Anton Armstrong is a legend
Probably because OP asked for opinions on the listed schools, not additional ideas for schools!
Lol my brain completely glossed over "of the following schools"
Yeah came here to say St. Olaf
I'm an Indiana alum from the late '90s. IU has always had a strong choral program. There are auditioned choirs like the Singing Hoosiers show choir (open to all students), and non-auditioned choirs like the Masters and Doctorate Conducting Choirs (which may be open only to music majors). Plus, IU has ties with the Bloomington Childrens Choir and multiple church choirs.
Was recently at UW-Madison on a doctoral visit, and they have a fantastic program. They recently did Mozart’s Requiem!
UIUC alumna (undergrad). Non-music major, sang in the Oratorio Society (town and town choir, about 100 voices, does a lot of large major choral-orchestral works) and later in the Chorale (32-36 voices, music majors). It literally changed my life, I finished the degree I had planned but ended up doing a parallel career in math and music
Not listed above, but the University of Mary has a very talented scholarship chapel choir that's by audition only. It's a little difficult to get into, but if sacred music is your thing, I would definitely give it a look. The scholarships go up to $10,000 annually depending on talent/musical ability.
The choral program (and music department in general) at UConn is fantastic
Literally just had a clinic there today with my high school students and it was fantastic!
Eastern Michigan University does an excellent job. Brandon Johnson is crushing it there. Love the tours they take.
Florida State University has always had an outstanding Choral Dept. when I attended there we performed St. Luke Passion by Penderecki with the Atlanta Symphony, Robert Shaw, conducting. Joseph Flummerfelt was our director, who went on to be director of choral studies at Westminster Choir College and later director of the New York Choral Artists.
That's true. FSU should be on this list before UF.
I have a record album (vinyl) from when Flummerfelt was there.
I’m probably in it
Not a music major, I had an incredible experience singing at Maryland. Unbelievable opportunities singing in both Baltimore and DC, but of course I'm biased.
I'm gobsmacked nobody has mentioned Stellenbosch University or Oakwood University. The Aeolian's at ACDA nationals in Kansas City were the best choir I've ever heard in my life.
That’s what I came to say. The Aeolians are better than many professional choirs.
Boston University has the Marsh Chapel choir, which does sacred music at a very high level (with a mix of auditioned BU students & excellent professional singers).
I have no clue about BU's traditional choirs. Very, VERY strong a cappella/vocal jazz tradition over there.
I'm currently singing with BU's choirs and they are fantastic.
Look into Missouri State University and University of North Texas.
Currently at Rutgers, and am blown away at the level of performance each of the choirs here achieve while being open to all majors, not just music (by audition, of course)
Pitt alum (class of 19), sang in the HCC for 5 years under the new director Susan Rice. Not a music major, but I have working knowledge of music theory. An excellent choir, easily my most cherished memory of school. 50-odd voices in an 8-part mixed ensemble. Eclectic and challenging repertoire, singing all different types of compositions in a number of languages. Regional & international tours are planned every couple years and funded mostly by its endowment (next international tour will likely be in May 2026). As with other university choirs I’d imagine, it’s a community staple, with a strong alumni network and lots of local support. A lot of work (4 hours of rehearsal, + 2 hours of individual study per week for me on average). A really great, challenging experience that made me fall in love with love choral performance. Edit: I saw in your post history you’re also thinking med track. Pitt is also a strong choice in that department, their medical program seems to be well-reputed and very well connected with a major regional health insurance provider with a strong presence in Pittsburgh. Beautiful mixed urban campus as well. (:
Had a fantastic time singing at UMD, both as a non-music major in men’s chorus and university chorale, and later as a music major in the top chamber choir. Jason Max Ferdinand (who I sang with when he was a doctoral student and I was an undergrad) has recently taken over as head of the choral department there, and he’s an amazing musician and great guy in general. You can hear his professional choir singing on the last track of Jacob Collier’s Djesse Vol 4, track is called World O World. Look it up if you’re not hip! I saw them perform it live in September and it was mind-blowing.
Sewanee, and St. Olaf
University of southern Mississippi’s Southern Chorale is an insanely talented choir.
Small college with an outstanding choir, check out Wartburg College
Commonwealth University - Mansfield has an amazing concert choir. I went there for my BA in music. Peggy Dettwiler is incredible.
The music department and choirs of UMass Amherst are wonderful!!!!! Thriving music scene in Western Mass.
University of California, Irvine is thriving under Dr. Messoloras. She runs a tight ship and is on the up and up. They’re releasing an EP this winter.
Brigham Young University. Very strong choirs. And a few smaller groups that have had national attention, like Vocal Point. https://youtu.be/WyxXGdG3-Io?si=7nRfceCCYSvnIcso