A-State Choirs

The A-State Choirs are a dynamic community where voices unite and music inspires. Open to students from across campus and singers from the greater community, our choirs bring together people who share a passion for choral artistry. Guided by the leadership of Dr. Ryan W. Sullivan and Dr. Marques J. Ruff, we are dedicated to creating powerful musical experiences for performers and audiences to last a lifetime.

Each year, the A-State choirs host educational and community events for singers and audiences alike. The banner concert each year is "Sounds of the Season," a holiday event for audiences to begin the Christmas season by attending in person, online, or television broadcast. The Choirs have recently collaborated with a diverse group of arts organizations such as the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Crossing Bluegrass Band, and the A-State Theatre for a production of Considering Matthew Shepard. Outside of traditional concerts, the A-State Choral Invitational, All State Prep Clinic, and professional development sessions are staples for our partners in education throughout the state.

The A-State Choirs are committed to choral performance excellence. In 2026, the Concert Choir, Scarlet Voices, and Jonesboro Chorale will complete a concert tour in Bavaria and Badem-Württemburg, including the famed Stiftskirche Stunde in Stuttgart. The Concert Choir was accepted to perform at the 2025 Music by Women Festival, an international event that celebrates women composers. In June 2023, the Concert Choir made its debut in Portugal as part of the Lisbon Music Fest with performances in Lisbon, Batalha, and Porto. In previous years, our choirs have performed at National and Regional ACDA conferences, at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as tours in Czechia, Poland, and Ireland.

A-State Choirs are regularly engaged in performing new and recent works. Recent commissions include the ACDA Advanced Treble Choir Consortium that produced nine new works in 2025, I Would Like by Nell Shaw Cohen (2024), Wild Nights! by Dana Wilson (2023), Altar of Night by James Eakin III (2022), These Are Enough by Derek Jenkins (2020). The choirs are also committed to encouraging student composers through readings and performances of their work with feedback from students and conductors.

A-State Choir alumni have gone on to shape the future of music, holding leadership roles at the state, regional, and national levels. Their influence is felt in communities across Arkansas and the country, and their journey began right here. Whether you’re a student or community member eager to lift your voice, or someone who simply loves experiencing the power of live performance, we invite you to join us. With A-State Choirs, music belongs to everyone.