Welcome to choral studies at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!
Our choral studies strive to examine and honor the legacy of past faculty, while moving forward with evolving pedagogies and programs, and the music of underrepresented composers.
The CU Boulder choral studies area, founded in 1938 by Warner Imig, was the first formal area of study in the College of Music; in the 1960s, CU Boulder became one of the first universities in the nation to offer a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting. The department continues to mentor great students from across the university, while preparing and performing everything from new works to jazz to traditional masterworks through regular collaborations with the CU Boulder Wind Symphony, the CU Symphony and the Boulder Philharmonic.
Alumni
We’re proud of our choral studies alumni, including those who have gone on to teach at Fresno State University, Harding University, Metro State University, Oklahoma State University, Regis University, Samford University, San Jose State University, University of Kentucky and University of Missouri-Kansas City, among many other institutions; others have proceeded to found and/or direct organizations and schools such as Young Voices of Colorado and the Central Educational Center charter school. Notable choral studies alumni include Charlene Archibeque, Eph Ehly, Anna Hamre, Hugh Sanders, Z. Randall Stroope and many more. Check out our alumni class notes for more alumni accomplishments and follow our ongoing alumni highlights on Instagram.
Elizabeth Swanson
Elizabeth Swanson serves as conductor of the CU Boulder University Choir and CU Boulder Treble Chorus. A passionate educator, Swanson teaches courses in conducting at the undergraduate level and serves on master’s and doctoral committees. Her students have reached the final round in ACDA student conducting competitions and have been hired at leading universities upon graduation. Swanson maintains an active schedule as conductor, clinician and adjudicator with recent guest conducting appearances at Carnegie Hall and at the University of Hawai’i–Mānoa (Honolulu). Closer to home, she serves as associate conductor of the Boulder-based professional choir Ars Nova Singers (Tom Morgan, artistic director). Nationally, Swanson is vice president on the Executive Board of the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO). She oversees the organization’s National Board and was the inaugural chair of the organization’s first-ever Mission and Vision in Governance Committee, whose primary purpose is to uphold principles of equity, diversity and inclusion within the NCCO. MORE
Our choirs
Students from many majors and interest areas sing in CU Boulder choirs—not only music majors! Join a choir ... and sing!
CU Boulder Chamber Singers (SATB)—Elizabeth Swanson, conductor
CU Boulder University Choir (SATB)—Elizabeth Swanson, conductor
CU Boulder Festival Chorus (SATB)—Raul Dominguez, conductor
CU Boulder Treble Chorus (SSAA choir)—Jessie Flasschoen Campbell, conductor