Vocal
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Department of Music

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All-State Choir Camp

June 28-July 1

Early Registration Deadline | April 30
Registration deadline | June 15

ACU’s All-State Choir Camp offers high school students (incoming freshmen through seniors) the tools and experiences they need to be successful in the TMEA All-State Choir audition process. Our camp will focus on all aspects of choral musicianship, including leadership, service, community-building, and being a well-rounded singer. All students, including private school and homeschool students, are welcome! Learn more about costs and registration at the button below.

Choir Camp | 2023

Choirs & Ensembles

ACU A Capella Choir - Vocal

A Cappella Chorus

ACU University Chorale

University Chorale

ACU Gospel Choir - Vocal

Gospel Choir

Hilltop

Contemporary
A Cappella Groups

ACU Opera

ACU Opera

Singing has always been at the center of Abilene Christian University. From the world’s finest concert halls to campus chapel services, music has brought generations of Wildcats together, united in heart, mind, and voice.

The Abilene Christian University choral program is comprised of three ensembles: the A Cappella Chorus, University Chorale, and Gospel Choir. Students from the ACU Department of Music and from many other academic disciplines gather to lead, serve, and inspire one another and the community through the art of choral music. More than half of the program is comprised of non-music majors.

ACU Choirs contribute to the cultural and spiritual life of the university community in Abilene and beyond. Regular concerts, tours, and outreach programs put choral music students on the frontlines of culture-making and the strengthening of bonds of community and love.

Faculty/Staff

Dr. Jeffery Goolsby, Director of Choral Studies
Samuel Cook, Voice-Artist in Residence, Director of Gospel Choir
Laura Dickson, Administrative Coordinator for Ensembles and Recruiting

Resources

Scholarship information Information (music majors and non-music majors)

ACU Choirs Repertoire

Auditions for choral placement take place in August during Wildcat Week and the first day of classes.

For more information, contact Laura Logan, Administrative Coordinator for Ensembles and Recruiting.

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A Cappella Chorus

The Abilene Christian University A Cappella Chorus is dedicated to artistic excellence, transformational musical experiences, and high-impact community engagement. Established in 1932 by the late Dr. Leonard Burford, the choir serves as the university’s premier vocal ensemble. Led by conductor Dr. Jeffery Goolsby, the A Cappella Chorus engages students from diverse academic, social, racial, and economic backgrounds while striving to perform a wide array of musical styles with honesty and integrity.

The A Cappella Chorus has performed before the conventions of the Texas Music Educators Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing and regularly collaborates with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra on major choral-orchestral works. In addition to major performances throughout the academic year, the A Cappella Chorus performs for university and community events and travels on an extended tour each year, including regional, national, and international tours.

Membership is open to all students of the university through a competitive audition process. Auditions are held annually.

Rehearsal Schedule: MTWR 5:00-6:00 pm

Questions? Contact choirs@acu.edu

All Vocal ensembles

University Chorale

The University Chorale of Abilene Christian University explores choral music from a variety of styles, genres, and cultures. Singers from all academic disciplines find University Chorale to be a musical and spiritual home during their time at ACU. Conducted by Dr. Jeffery Goolsby, the choir regularly performs on campus and in the community as an act of service and love. University Chorale meets three days a week during each semester and gives several major concerts a year, including the annual Homecoming Concert, Christmas Vespers, and combined performances of major choral works with the A Cappella Chorus. Membership is open by audition to all students.

Rehearsal Schedule: MWF 2:00-2:50 pm
Questions? Contact choirs@acu.edu

All Vocal ensembles

Gospel Choir

The ACU Gospel Choir, directed by Mr. Samuel Cook, is an ensemble of 12-16 members and is open to all students. The choir performs a variety of Gospel music literature with a primary focus on contemporary African-American Gospel and traditional spirituals. Auditions are held annually.

Questions? Contact choirs@acu.edu

All Vocal ensembles

Contemporary A Cappella Groups

ACU has three student a cappella groups: Foundation, Hilltop, and Grace Note. These groups help serve as praise teams for chapel, sing at on-campus events like Summit, Freshman Follies, TEDxACU, and Sing Song, and perform several concerts throughout the year.

These groups exist to build community among students, to connect current and future students to ACU’s unique a cappella music heritage, and to provide an outlet for students to worship and perform.

Hilltop

Hilltop is a mixed vocals, a cappella ensemble made up of upperclassmen from ACU (sophomores and up). Hilltop performs a variety of contemporary Christian and pop music.

Foundation

Foundation is a mixed vocals, a cappella ensemble made up of ACU Freshmen. This group of singers performs primarily praise and worship music throughout the year.

Grace Note

Grace Note is an a cappella ensemble made up of upperclassmen women from ACU (sophomores and up). The women of Grace Note perform a variety of contemporary Christian and pop music.

Questions? Contact choirs@acu.edu

All Vocal ensembles

ACU Opera

The ACU Opera is a training seminar for voice majors and non-majors designed to equip the student with the skills to become competent performers on the stage. Under the direction of Dr. Rick Piersall, ACU Opera produces at least two operas a year, one in the fall and a full production each spring semester. ACU Opera’s repertoire ranges from new works to the standard operatic repertory. Members of ACU Opera are exposed to world-class experiences such as the “World Premiere” performance of A New Nation in Fort Worth and a trip with Dr. Piersall to Avignon, France where they served as interns for his performance of The Secret Agent at Opera Avignon.

 ACU Opera on Facebook

Questions? Contact choirs@acu.edu

All Vocal ensembles