Houghton choir singing during Prism winter concert.

Choirs

Make beautiful music to the Lord, form new friendships and enrich your university experience.

Houghton’s choirs are a long-standing tradition and an opportunity for everyone to participate. Choir is a place where people training to sing opera, those who just sing with the radio, and everyone in between, can come together and make something remarkable that no one could do alone.

At Houghton, you don’t need any prior experience (though we love experienced singers) or the ability to read music (we will teach you). We meet all of our singers where they are and, with the training we provide, everyone who participates will have the opportunity to make music at a high level.

Houghton's choir singing during a tour.

Houghton Choir

For more than 80 years the Houghton Choir has committed itself to world-class performances rooted in the sacred a cappella tradition.

The Houghton Choir has performed in renowned concert halls and churches across the United States and abroad.

Widely acclaimed for its artistry and sensitivity, the Houghton Choir upholds the sacred a cappella choral tradition of its origins, while embracing a diversity of choral styles. Whether performing a renaissance mass setting, a baroque motet, or an African American spiritual, the choir delights in well-crafted sacred choral music.

The Houghton Choir has performed at the Vatican, Lincoln Center, Cathedral of St. Joseph's in Hartford, Heinz Memorial Chapel in Pittsburgh, the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Minneapolis, Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, and the Church of the Holy Trinity at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.  Concert tours have taken the choir all across the world including performances in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Russia, South Korea and Spain.

The choir has been invited to sing for state and divisional American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) chapters and the National Association of Music Education (NAfME) conferences. Additional performances include the United Nations, World Council of Churches, and the Association of Evangelical’s National Convention. Choral-orchestral partners have included the Buffalo Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic & Southern Tier Symphony Orchestras.

Directed by Dr. Daniel David Black
Associate Professor of Vocal Music & Conducting; Director of Choral Activities

Houghton choir singing wearing traditional robes.

Chamber Choir

The Houghton University Chamber Choir is the Greatbatch School of Music’s most elite choral ensemble. This ensemble functions much like a professional choir with minimal rehearsal time and an extremely high level of excellence in frequent performances. The Chamber Choir is a highly selective ensemble comprising sixteen singers, selected through an audition process.

The Chamber Choir performs primarily, though not exclusively, early (pre-1750) and modern (post-1950) choral repertoire. The ensemble enjoys regular tours, locally, in various regions around the country, and internationally.

Directed by Dr. Kevin Dibble
Associate Director of the Greatbatch School of Music; Associate Director of Choral Activities; Assistant Professor of Music

Houghton choir singing on stage with piano and conductor in traditional robes.

Highlander Chorus

The Highlander Chorus is the newest addition to the Houghton University Choral family. It is a large group of versatile singers with a variety of experience levels. From students studying vocal performance to students with no vocal experience, the Highlander Chorus is a welcoming environment where we all experience growth through the exploration and performance of excellent choral literature. There is no audition requirement for this ensemble! Membership is open to all regardless of major and musical experience.

The Highlander Chorus performs regularly on and off campus as an individual ensemble and as a part of our larger musical projects. The repertoire includes traditional choral repertoire of the past, folk music, hymn arrangements, and newly-composed choral music.

Directed by Dr. Kevin Dibble
Associate Director of the Greatbatch School of Music; Associate Director of Choral Activities; Assistant Professor of Music

Sign Up for Choir

If you would like to sing at Houghton, please use the link below to sign up for an audition.

Sign up for a date and time