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. We are dedicated to creating powerful musical experiences for performers and audiences to last a lifetime.

Concerts & Events

Each year, the A-State Choirs host educational and community events for singers and audiences alike.
A red A-State ornament in a Christmas tree

Sounds of the Season

"Sounds of the Season" is our annual holiday event that helps audiences kick off the Christmas season. People can attend in person, watch online, or view the broadcast on television.
Conductor at a concert in the Bradbury Art Museum.

Collaborations

We 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.
Choir members singing at the Bradbury Art Museum.

Non-Traditional Events

Outside of traditional concerts, we also participate in the A-State Choral Invitational, All State Prep Clinic, and professional development sessions. These are staples for our partners in education throughout the state.
Student walking on campus in front of the HOWL sign.

Music Major for a Day

Are you a prospective or admitted student curious about what it's like to study music at A-State? Join our Music Major for a Day program, open to students from grade 10 through college, and spend the day on campus experiencing life as an A-State music major.

 

 

Performances & Tours

Upcoming Performances

  • 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.

Previous Highlights

  • 2025: The Concert Choir was accepted to perform at the 2025 Music by Women Festival, an international event that celebrates women composers.
  • 2023: The Concert Choir made its debut in Portugal as part of the Lisbon Music Fest with performances in Lisbon, Batalha, and Porto.
  • 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.

 

Embracing the Future

New and Recent Music

A-State Choirs are regularly engaged in performing new and recent works. Recent commissions include:

  • ACDA Advanced Treble Choir Consortium (9 new works, 2025)
  • I Would Like – Nell Shaw Cohen (2024)
  • Wild Nights! – Dana Wilson (2023)
  • Altar of Night – James Eakin III (2022)
  • These Are Enough – Derek Jenkins (2020)

We are also committed to encouraging student composers through readings and performances of their work with feedback from peers and conductors.

A-State Choir Alumni

Our 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.

Get Involved

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.

All A-State Choir ensembles are available to students of any major by audition. The audition will include a brief solo, sight singing, pitch memory, and an excerpt (for consideration for Concert Choir). To secure your audition spot, please complete the following steps:

  1. Complete an Audition Form online.
  2. Select an audition time using this sign-up.
  3. Bring a hardcopy score of a prepared solo (art song, folk song, hymn, etc.) to your audition. A pianist will be present.

Please Note: All students are placed in an ensemble based on their choral experience and schedule. You may register for the choir you anticipate being in, but final ensemble assignments will be made by the middle of the first week of classes. If you do not already have a song prepared, you may use the Star Spangled Banner for higher voices or The Roadside Fire (p. 1-3) for lower voices.

Choral scholarship is also available to students of any major by audition while funds are available. Please see the Music Department Auditions Page for more information. If you have further questions, please email Dr. Ryan Sullivan.

 

Concert Choir (MUS 1351/3351)
  • A-State's flagship choral ensemble.
  • Open to all students by audition.
  • A select choir of mixed voices.
  • Several concerts are given per semester, as well as regional, national, and international tours.

  • Meeting Times:
    • Monday & Wednesday – 12:00–12:50 p.m.
    • Tuesday & Thursday – 12:30–1:50 p.m.

 

Jonesboro Chorale (MUS 1361/3361)
  • Open to all A-State students and members of the community by audition appointment.
  • Approximately two concerts per semester.

  • Meeting Times:
    • Monday – 6:00–8:00 p.m.

 

Scarlet Voices (MUS 1631/3631)
  • Open to all treble voice singers by audition.
  • Approximately two concerts per semester.

  • Meeting Times:
    • Monday, Wednesday, & Friday – 1:00–1:50 p.m.

 

Singing Statesmen (MUS 1641/3641)
  • Open to all tenor and bass singers by audition.
  • Approximately two concerts per semester.

  • Meeting Times:
    • Tuesday & Thursday – 2:00–3:20 p.m.

 

United Voices Gospel Choir (MUS 3371-015)
  • Open to all A-State students and members of the community by audition appointment.
  • Approximately two concerts and several campus/community appearances per semester.

  • Meeting Times: 
    • Monday & Wednesday – 4:00–5:00 p.m.
    • Thursday – 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Event Date Venue Ticket Info
Sounds of the Season Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
7:30 p.m.		 Riceland Hall Central Box Office
Winter Choir Concert Monday, Feb. 16, 2026
7:00 p.m.		 Riceland Hall Central Box Office
Spectrum/Honors Concert: Department of Music Friday, Apr. 10, 2026
7:30 p.m.		 Riceland Hall Central Box Office
Schutz' Johannespassion Sunday, Apr. 12, 2026
2:00 p.m.		 First Presbyterian Church N/A
Spring Concert: Jonesboro Chorale & United Voices Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2026
7:30 p.m.		 Riceland Hall Central Box Office 
Spring Concert: Concert Choir, Scarlet Voices & Singing Statesmen Thursday, Apr. 30, 2026
7:30 p.m.		 Riceland Hall Central Box Office 
Germany Tour: Concert Choir, Scarlet Voices & Jonesboro Chorale Jun. 7, 2026 – June 16, 2026 Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Munich N/A

 

Dr. Ryan Sullivan
Director of Choral Activities 
rsullivan@AState.edu

Dr. Marques J. Ruff
Associate Director of Choral Activities & Assistant Professor of Vocal Music Education 
mruff@AState.edu

Got Questions?

Connect With Us.

Contact Dr. Ryan Sullivan, Director of Choral Activities.
rsullivan@AState.edu