Choral Ensembles
Choral Ensembles
We have five choirs on campus, all of which are open to students from across campus. Two are open to students and do not require an audition—simply register: Concert Choir & Resound. The other three require an audition: Chorale, University Singers, and Schola Cantorum.
Joining a Choir
Concert Choir & Resound
No audition is required!
Sign up for Concert Choir using MUSC462
Sign up for Resound using MUSC465
Chorale, University Singers, and Schola Cantorum
All students who hope to participate in Chorale, University Singers, Schola Cantorum, and/or Jazz Singers (even returning members) must submit a new audition each year. To audition for one of these choirs, visit this link:
Chorale (MUSC463)
- Auditioned
- M/W 4:40-6:40 pm
The UD Chorale is among the most highly regarded college choirs in the Eastern United States. In recent years, the choir has been invited to perform on both regional (Pittsburgh, 2002; Hartford, 2008; and Boston, 2016) and national (Los Angeles, 2005 and Dallas, 2013) conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). They have also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and Verizon Hall in Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Arts. In addition to annual regional tours, the Chorale has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia.
In addition to a 10-day concert tour of China in 2009, the Chorale has performed to great acclaim throughout Europe, competing in contests in Tolosa, Spain (2010); Debrecen, Hungary (2012); and Tallinn, Estonia (2007). In each case, the choir placed in the top three of every category in which they competed, winning the Grand Prix in Estonia and the runner-up to the Grand Prix in Hungary. They were also the only American university choir to be featured on the 30th International Society for Music Education World Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece in 2012. In the Spring of 2017, the Chorale embarked on a month-long journey overseas to perform Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra in Israel. They then journeyed toward Europe with performances in a festival in Malta and an International Choral Competition in Germany.
The Chorale has released five compact discs, the most recent featuring virtuosic choral music of Eastern Europe, titled The Road to Debrecen, (Now available on iTunes) and more recently Carols by Candlelight.
Chorale members are part of the symphonic chorus that performs regularly with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, most recently in the highly acclaimed performance of the Cherubini Requiem. Other recent appearances include Mahler's Resurrection Symphony, Mozart’s Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
The University Singers are a select ensemble of treble voices at the University of Delaware, chosen by competitive audition at the beginning of each year, and comprised of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors from over 30 majors across the University. The University Singers perform 4 to 5 concerts each year, and tour regionally to Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. They appeared at the NAfME Eastern Conference in 2013, ACDA Eastern Conference in 2014 and 2018, and NJMEA Conference in 2019. The University Singers perform a varied and diverse repertoire that spans medieval chant, Baroque chamber music, 19th Century opera, contemporary, jazz, and multicultural works.
The University Singers are directed by Dr. Andrew Trites and rehearse on:
- M/W 4:10-5:30 p.m.
The University of Delaware Concert Choir is a chorus open to all university students dedicated to the performance of unaccompanied and accompanied choral music from a variety of genres, typically directed by Dr. Aimee Pearsall-Kramer. In fall 2025, the ensemble will be directed by Dr. Paul Head while Dr. Pearsall-Kramer is on maternity leave. This ensemble is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students who represent a large number of degree programs.
Concert Choir rehearses on Tuesday/Thursday from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in Room 118 of Amy E DuPont Music Building.
ENROLL TODAY! No audition required. MUSC462
Schola Cantorum is the Symphonic Choir at the University of Delaware that is open to students, faculty, staff and community members who love to sing!
Schola Cantorum rehearses 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.
- No Audition Required-Simply Register!
- T/Th 5:15-6:45 pm
Resound is the University of Delaware’s choral ensemble devoted to the performance of music from the Black Diaspora. Launched in spring 2023, Resound was founded under the leadership of its appointed founding director, Arreon A. Harley-Emerson. While gospel music and its unique performance practice are central to the ensemble’s identity, Resound also performs a diverse array of sacred and secular works composed by Black composers, celebrating the depth and breadth of this rich musical heritage.
Resound is an inclusive and welcoming community, open to all University of Delaware students regardless of academic major, race/ethnicity, faith or other identities. The ensemble embraces the philosophy of radical hospitality, fostering an environment where singers are encouraged to engage deeply with the music and with each other. Much of the repertoire is learned through the aural/oral tradition, without reliance on sheet music, allowing students to authentically experience musical practices beyond the Western Classical tradition. Through this approach, Resound emphasizes musical authenticity, cultural understanding and the joy of shared artistry.
More than just a choir, Resound is a joyful and dynamic choral community, dedicated to meaningful storytelling through song and to honoring the voices and contributions of Black composers. By centering the traditions of the Black Diaspora, Resound creates space for both historical reflection and contemporary expression, ensuring that this music continues to inspire, uplift and resonate for generations to come.
Ready to Audition?
Two of our choirs are open to registration without audition. Enroll in Concert Choir (MUSC462) or Resound Gospel Choir (MUSC465) today!
For the three choirs that require an audition (Chorale, University Singers, and Schola Cantorum), there is a preliminary audition that is an online form. There may be an in-person callback process involved.
