American Choral Directors Association

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2025 ACDA National Honor Choirs

March 19 – 22, 2025 | Dallas, TX
Jared Berry & Andrea Galeno, Honor Choir Chairs

“How To” Video: Thanks to Maine ACDA for this great resource

The application period for 2025 choirs has closed

Grades 5 – 7 Treble | Marcela Molina, Conductor

ELIGIBILITY

  • Singers who will be in grades 5, 6, or 7 in March 2025 may apply
  • Application opens August 15, 2024 and closes September 26, 2024. Help desk support is available until 5pm central time on September 26 by emailing . Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason. Plan ahead to access support if you need it.
  • Singers must be sponsored by an ACDA member who holds a current active, life, paying life, or retired ACDA membership.
  • This choir will be for unchanged voices 
  • Application fee of $30 per student, payable at the time of audition submission. Payment types available will be debit card or credit card. Checks will not be accepted.

REGISTRATION FEES & COSTS

Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following

  • Registration/participation fee, hotel accommodations, food, and personal transportation to and from Dallas, Texas.  
  • Registration/participation fee of $360
    • This fee covers breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as music, and other costs of the honor choir
  • This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations.  Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
  • This fee does NOT include personal transportation to and from Dallas, TX.
  • Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome. 

EXPECTATIONS

  • Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
    • Students participating in a performing choir or other aspects of the conference will not be able to participate in the honor choir.
  • Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival. Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, March 19. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
  • Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
  • Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.

COMMUNICATION

AUDITION PROCESS

  1. Online applications will open on August 15, 2024 & will close on September 26, 2024.
  2. ONLY the ACDA Sponsor may submit the online application information. Other submissions will be disqualified.
  3. DO NOT state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
  4. Include a non-refundable application fee of $30 paid online on the application site. Debit or credit card payment will be accepted. Teachers will also have information available on how to use POs. Checks will not be accepted.
  5. Sponsor uploads two separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are: 

A.  Vocalise

The student will sing four (4) legato five-tone scale passages, ascending and descending, beginning on the given pitches.  All vocalises must be sung a cappella.  The starting pitch or chord may be given for each of the four vocalises on piano, pitch pipe, guitar or voice.  Vocalises are to be sung on the syllable “mah”.  The first pitch of each phrase should be voiced on “mah” with the following four notes sounding the extension of “ah”.  (Please follow the metronome markings and do not stop the recording until all four phrases are completed.)

mm = 80 – 100

mah

Four Starting Pitches for Vocalises

SopranoAlto
D above middle CA below middle C
F# above middle Cmiddle C#
A above middle CE above middle C
Fourth line DA above middle C

B.  Repertoire Excerpt

“We are the Music Makers” by Reginal Wright, pg. 2 m. 5 to pg. 5 m. 20. Singers should record themselves using the practice track with only the piano part playing.  The piano should be heard with the singer in the recording.  Singers will be disqualified if other parts are heard.

Excerpt link

Practice Tracks

Grades 7 – 10 TTBB | Randy Stenson, Conductor

ELIGIBILITY

  • Singers who will be in grades 7, 8, 9, or 10 in March 2025 may apply
  • Application opens August 15, 2024 and closes September 26, 2024. Help desk support is available until 5pm central time on September 26 by emailing . Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason. Plan ahead to access support if you need it.
  • Singers must be sponsored by an ACDA member who holds a current active, life, paying life, or retired ACDA membership.
  • Application fee of $30 per student, payable at the time of audition submission. Payment types available will be debit card or credit. Checks will not be accepted.

REGISTRATION FEES & COSTS

Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following

  • Registration/participation fee, hotel accommodations, food, and personal transportation to and from Dallas, Texas.  
  • Registration/participation fee of $360
    • This fee covers breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as music, and other costs of the honor choir
  • This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations.  Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
  • This fee does NOT include personal transportation to and from Dallas, TX.
  • Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome. 

EXPECTATIONS

  • Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
    • Students participating in a performing choir or other aspects of the conference will not be able to participate in the honor choir
  • Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival.  Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, March 19. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
  • Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
  • Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.

COMMUNICATION

AUDITION PROCESS

  1. Online applications will open on August 15, 2024 & will close on September 26, 2024.
  2. ONLY the ACDA Sponsor may submit the online application information. Other submissions will be disqualified.
  3. DO NOT state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
  4. Include a non-refundable application fee of $30 paid online on the application site. Debit or credit card payment will be accepted. Teachers will also have information available on how to use POs. Checks will not be accepted.
  5. Sponsor uploads three separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are:

A.  Vocalise

Sing the ascending and descending major scales appropriate to the voice part. Scales should be sung on the vowel “ah” as in father. Only the starting pitch may be played. Accompanied singers will be disqualified.

Voice PartStarting pitch for ascending scaleStarting pitch for descending scale
Tenor IA below middle CG above middle C
Tenor IIF below middle CE above middle C
Bass ID below middle Cmiddle C
Bass IIB one octave below middle CE below middle C

B.  Repertoire Excerpt. 

“Invictus”, by Joshua Rist, m. 79-91. Singers should record themselves using the practice track with only the piano part playing.  The piano should be heard with the singer in the recording.  Singers will be disqualified if other parts are heard.

Excerpt Link

Practice track

C.  Solo

Sing 30 seconds of a range-appropriate folk song, or a song taught in voice lessons, class or in chorus, accompanied or unaccompanied. It is important that the piece chosen best demonstrates the tone quality and musicality required of a choral singer. If accompaniment is used, please limit the introduction to 5 seconds at the most. Clearly state the title of the prepared solo and the name of the composer/arranger at the beginning of this part of the recording.

Grades 8 – 10 Treble | Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Conductor

ELIGIBILITY

  • Singers who will be in grades 8, 9, or 10 in March 2025 may apply
  • Application opens August 15, 2024 and closes September 26, 2024. Help desk support is available until 5pm central time on September 26 by emailing . Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason. Plan ahead to access support if you need it.
  • Singers must be sponsored by an ACDA member who holds a current active, life, paying life, or retired ACDA membership.
  • Application fee of $30 per student, payable at the time of audition submission. Payment types available will be debit card or credit card. Checks will not be accepted.

REGISTRATION FEES & COSTS

Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following

  • Registration/participation fee, hotel accommodations, food, and personal transportation to and from Dallas, Texas.
  • Registration/participation fee of $360
    • This fee covers breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as music, and other costs of the honor choir
  • This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations.  Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
  • This fee does NOT include personal transportation to and from Dallas, TX.
  • Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome. 

EXPECTATIONS

  • Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
    • Students participating in a performing choir or other aspects of the conference will not be able to participate in the honor choir
  • Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival.  Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, March 19.  Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
  • Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
  • Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.

COMMUNICATION

  • All information regarding the Honor Choir experience will be communicated through the ACDA Sponsor. Singers should check regularly with the sponsor and on the Honor Choir Announcement webpage (https://acda.org/archives/events/2025-national-conference) for updated information. Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number. 
  • Any questions can be addressed to Jared Berry & Andrea Galeno, ACDA Honor Choir Chairs, at

AUDITION PROCESS

  1. Online applications will open on August 15, 2024 & will close on September 26, 2024.
  2. ONLY the ACDA Sponsor may submit the online application information. Other submissions will be disqualified.
  3. DO NOT state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
  4. Include a non-refundable application fee of $30 paid online on the application site. Debit or credit card payment will be accepted. Teachers will also have information available on how to use POs. Checks will not be accepted.
  5. Sponsor uploads three separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are:

A.  Vocalise

Sing the ascending and descending major scales appropriate to the voice part. Scales should be sung on the vowel “ah” as in father. Only the starting pitch may be played. Accompanied singers will be disqualified.

Voice PartStarting pitch for ascending scaleStarting pitch for descending scale
Soprano IA flat above middle CD (one octave) above middle C
Soprano IIF above middle CB above middle C
Alto ID above middle CA above middle C
Alto IImiddle CG above middle C

B.  Repertoire Excerpt:

“Measure Me Sky!” by Elaine Hagenberg. M. 21-34. Singers should record themselves using the practice track with only the piano part playing.  The piano should be heard with the singer in the recording.  Singers will be disqualified if other parts are heard.

Excerpt Link

Practice Tracks

C.  Solo

Sing 30 seconds of a range-appropriate folk song, or a song taught in voice lessons, class or in chorus, accompanied or unaccompanied. It is important that the piece chosen best demonstrates the tone quality and musicality required of a choral singer. If accompaniment is used, please limit the introduction to 5 seconds at the most. Clearly state the title of the prepared solo and the name of the composer/arranger at the beginning of this part of the recording.

Grades 11 – 12 SATB | Chris Maunu, Conductor

ELIGIBILITY

  • Singers who will be in grades 11 or 12 in March 2025 may apply
  • Application opens August 15, 2024 and closes September 26, 2024. Help desk support is available until 5pm central time on September 26 by emailing . Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason. Plan ahead to access support if you need it.
  • Singers must be sponsored by an ACDA member who holds a current active, life, paying life, or retired ACDA membership.
  • Application fee of $30 per student, payable at the time of audition submission. Payment types available will be debit card or credit card. Checks will not be accepted.
  • Students may apply for both the 11-12 SATB and Vocal Jazz Honor Choirs. Those wishing to apply for both choirs will need to submit all required uploads for each choir. If selected for the National Vocal Jazz Honor Choir, the student will not be considered for the 11-12 SATB Honor Choir.

REGISTRATION FEES & COSTS

Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following

  • There will be two registration options for this choir: one that will include the option to add housing and one option for registration only.
  • Registration/participation fee, hotel accommodations, food, and personal transportation to and from Dallas, Texas.
  • Option A) Housing Option $560
    • This fee covers three (3) hotel nights, breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as music, and other costs of the honor choir
    • Students will be assigned to quadruple-occupancy rooms (two queen beds per room) in the honor choir hotel for three nights, March 19-21, supervised by ACDA-provided chaperones.
    • This fee does NOT include personal transportation to or from Dallas, Texas.
    • Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome.
  • Option B) Registration Only $360
    • This fee covers breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as music, and other costs of the honor choir
    • This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations. Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
    • This fee does NOT include personal transportation to or from Dallas, Texas.
    • Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome. 

EXPECTATIONS

  • Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
    • Students participating in a performing choir or other aspects of the conference will not be able to participate in the honor choir
  • Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival. Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, March 19. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
  • Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
  • Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.

COMMUNICATION

AUDITION PROCESS

  1. Online applications will open on August 15, 2024 & will close on September 26, 2024.
  2. ONLY the ACDA Sponsor may submit the online application information. Other submissions will be disqualified.
  3. DO NOT state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
  4. Include a non-refundable application fee of $30 paid online on the application site. Debit or credit card payment will be accepted. Teachers will also have information available on how to use POs. Checks will not be accepted.
  5. Sponsor uploads three separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are:

A.  Vocalise

Sing the ascending and descending major scales appropriate to the voice part. Scales should be sung on the vowel “ah” as in father. Only the starting pitch may be played. Accompanied singers will be disqualified.

Voice PartStarting pitch for ascending scaleStarting pitch for descending scale
Soprano IB flat above middle CC above middle C
Soprano IIA above middle CB above middle C
Alto IE above middle CA above middle C
Alto IID above middle CG above middle C
Tenor IA flat below middle CE above middle C
Tenor IIF sharp below middle CMiddle C
Bass IE flat below middle CG below middle C
Bass IIC sharp below middle CE below middle C

B.  Repertoire Excerpt. 

“Silentium” by Chris Maunu.  For TB voices, m. 10-22, for SA voices, m. 56-66. Singers should record themselves a cappella with no parts playing. The singer should be the only thing heard on the recording. Singers will be disqualified if other parts are heard.

Excerpt Link

Practice Tracks: For TB, Click here; For SA, Click here

C.  Solo

Sing 30 seconds of a range-appropriate folk song, or a song taught in voice lessons, class or in chorus, accompanied or unaccompanied. It is important that the piece chosen best demonstrates the tone quality and musicality required of a choral singer. If accompaniment is used, please limit the introduction to 5 seconds at the most. Clearly state the title of the prepared solo and the name of the composer/arranger at the beginning of this part of the recording.

Vocal Jazz Honor Choir

For questions related to the National Vocal Jazz Honor Choir, please contact John Stafford, the National Vocal Jazz Repertoire and Resources Chair, at .

Grades 11 – 12 Vocal Jazz | Jennifer Barnes, Conductor

ELIGIBILITY

  • Singers who will be in grades 11 or 12 in March 2025 may apply
  • Application opens August 15, 2024 and closes September 26, 2024. Help desk support is available until 5pm central time on September 26 by emailing . Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason. Plan ahead to access support if you need it.
  • Singers must be sponsored by an ACDA member who holds a current active, life, paying life, or retired ACDA membership.
  • Application fee of $30 per student, payable at the time of audition submission. Payment types available will be debit card or credit card. Checks will not be accepted.
  • Students may apply for both the 11-12 SATB and Vocal Jazz Honor Choirs. Those wishing to apply for both choirs will need to submit all required uploads for each choir. If selected for the National Vocal Jazz Honor Choir, the student will not be considered for the 11-12 SATB Honor Choir.

REGISTRATION FEES & COSTS

Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following

  • Registration Fee and all costs associated with their travel and stay, including lodging, meals and transportation.
  • The registration fee and hotel pricing is coming soon.

EXPECTATIONS

  • Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
    • Students participating in a performing choir or other aspects of the conference will not be able to participate in the honor choir
  • Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
  • Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
  • Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.

COMMUNICATION

AUDITION PROCESS

  1. Online applications will open on August 15, 2024 & will close on September 26, 2024.
  2. ONLY the ACDA Sponsor may submit the online application information. Other submissions will be disqualified.
  3. DO NOT state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
  4. Include a non-refundable application fee of $30 paid online on the application site. Debit or credit card payment will be accepted. Teachers will also have information available on how to use POs. Checks will not be accepted.
  5. Sponsor uploads five to six separate sound files of the following for the student, depending on voice part. The uploads are listed below by voice part:

Soprano 1 Audition Requirements:

  1. D-flat Chromatic Scale
    • Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Meh.”
    • Quarter note=100 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  2. D-flat Blues Scale
    • Sing the blues scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Doo.”
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  3. Bebop Line Audition Excerpt
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Medium Up Swing Quarter Note=160 BPM
  4. 24 bars of Improvisation (scatting) over the Blues in D-flat
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Humming is NOT permitted
  5. I’m Old Fashioned Excerpt
    • Sing the excerpt, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=72 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file.
  6. Soprano 1 Vocal Exercise
    • Sing the exercise as printed, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file

Soprano 2 Audition Requirements

  1. D-flat Chromatic Scale
    • Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Meh.”
    • Quarter note=100 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  2. D-flat Blues Scale
    • Sing the blues scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Doo.”
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  3. Bebop Line Audition Excerpt
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Medium Up Swing Quarter Note=160 BPM
  4. 24 bars of Improvisation (scatting) over the Blues in D-flat
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Humming is NOT permitted
  5. I’m Old Fashioned Excerpt
    • Sing the excerpt, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=72 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file.

Alto 1 & Alto 2 Audition Requirements

  1. D-flat Chromatic Scale
    • Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Meh.”
    • Quarter note=100 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  2. D-flat Blues Scale
    • Sing the blues scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Doo.”
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  3. Bebop Line Audition Excerpt
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Medium Up Swing Quarter Note=160 BPM
  4. 24 bars of Improvisation (scatting) over the Blues in D-flat
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Humming is NOT permitted
  5. I’m Old Fashioned Excerpt
    • Sing the excerpt, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=72 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file.

Tenor 1 & Tenor 2 Audition Requirements

  1. D-flat Chromatic Scale
    • Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Meh.”
    • Quarter note=100 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  2. D-flat Blues Scale
    • Sing the blues scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Doo.”
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  3. Bebop Line Audition Excerpt
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Medium Up Swing Quarter Note=160 BPM
  4. 24 bars of Improvisation (scatting) over the Blues in D-flat
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Humming is NOT permitted
  5. I’m Old Fashioned Excerpt
    • Sing the excerpt, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=72 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file.

Bass 1 Audition Requirements

  1. D-flat Chromatic Scale
    • Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Meh.”
    • Quarter note=100 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  2. D-flat Blues Scale
    • Sing the blues scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Doo.”
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  3. Bebop Line Audition Excerpt
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Medium Up Swing Quarter Note=160 BPM
  4. 24 bars of Improvisation (scatting) over the Blues in D-flat
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Humming is NOT permitted
  5. I’m Old Fashioned Excerpt
    • Sing the excerpt, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=72 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file.

Bass 2 Audition Requirements

  1. D-flat Chromatic Scale
    • Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Meh.”
    • Quarter note=100 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  2. D-flat Blues Scale
    • Sing the blues scale ascending and descending, unaccompanied on “Doo.”
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file
  3. Bebop Line Audition Excerpt
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Medium Up Swing Quarter Note=160 BPM
  4. 24 bars of Improvisation (scatting) over the Blues in D-flat
    • Accompanied with TRACK. The track needs to be audible in your recording.
    • Humming is NOT permitted
  5. I’m Old Fashioned Excerpt
    • Sing the excerpt, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=72 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file.
  6. Bass 2 Vocal Range Exercise
    • Sing the exercise as printed, unaccompanied.
    • Quarter note=85 BPM
    • Your starting pitch may be played in your audio file