Welcome to choral studies at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!
Under the guidance of Director of Choral Studies Gregory Gentry and Associate Director of Choral Studies Elizabeth Swanson, 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 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 Symphony Orchestra and CU Boulder Wind Symphony, as well as the Boulder Philharmonic.
Gregory Gentry
Gregory Gentry administers doctoral, masters and undergraduate choral studies, and oversees all choral ensembles—from madrigal to symphonic choirs to vocal jazz. His book—“In Search of Inspiration: Interviews with Notable Choral Conductors” (2021)—is published by GIA Publications.
Since Gentry’s arrival at CU Boulder in 2012, the choral area has hosted several guest clinicians to work with students in conducting, scholarship and performance preparation, and led CU Boulder’s annual Madrigal Festival (800+ students) and High School Choral Leadership Festival (100+ students).
Gentry’s collegiate choirs have performed for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO), Music Educators National Conference (NAfME), Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA), Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA), Society for American Music (SAM) and the College Music Society (CMS). He has also been honored as a music educator and conductor by the Colorado State Legislature and the Mexican Consulate for the State of Arizona. More
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)—Gregory Gentry, conductor
CU Boulder University Choir (SATB)—Elizabeth Swanson, conductor
CU Boulder Festival Chorus (SATB)—Directed by staff instructors
CU Boulder Treble Chorus (SSAA choir)—Elizabeth Swanson, conductor
CU Boulder Vocal Jazz Ensemble—Directed by Paul Falk
