Choirs of America


2023 Nationals for Top Choirs


NYC + Carnegie Hall




April 13 - 14, 2023


(Collaborative Concert Track - To Repair)



Principal Conductor: Andrew Clark


Composer-in-Residence: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu


In association with the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum


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Sing and Learn in the Big Apple


  (and Perform in Carnegie Hall)

COA's Nationals for Top Choirs has become the top destination for choral programs looking for the highest magnitude choral festival and concert experience available today.  Since the first Nationals in New York City and Carnegie Hall (featuring Anton Armstrong as Principal Conductor) in 2013, the program has grown exponentially.


We meet our mission to “to engage, inspire, and educate choirs” from across the country by bringing them in contact with the finest conductors, composers, and educators in the industry.  Each event is grounded in the belief that collaboration is far better than competition. 

Each program emphasizes high level educational adjudications, full one-hour clinics, and amazing performance opportunities hand-in-hand with collaborative interaction with other choirs and teaching artists.


Moreover, you and your Choir will have the opportunity to study with one of America’s finest choral conductors (Andrew Clark), perform To Repair on-stage with the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, participate in a Carnegie Hall premiere with well-known composer (Tesfa Wondemagegnehu), and engage in clinics and workshops with our incredible teaching faculty leading to an incredibly powerful experience.

Festival Inclusions

Pre-Trip Inclusions...

  • Placement into the To Repair Massed Choir (along with the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum)


  • Festival chorus development and preparation assistance


  • Rehearsal notes from COA’s Artistic Team relating to the extended work (To Repair), festival logistics, adjudication details, etc.


  • Detailed festival schedule provided to each participating choir


  • Concert advertising and audience development


  • Concert listing with ensemble names in official Carnegie Hall performance calendar, PlayBill, and website

Festival Day Inclusions...

  • COA student ambassador to act as choir’s guide for the day


  • Adjudicated performance in LeFrak Concert Hall (Queens College - Aaron Copland School of Music)


  • On-stage performance review (pre-clinic) – time permitting


  • Written comments and ratings from all three adjudicators per COA’s criterion-referenced rubric


  • Detailed, one-hour clinic with one of COA’s Adjudicator / Clinicians


  • Teaching Faculty / Clinicians: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Kellori Dower, Jace Saplan, Rollo Dilworth


  • Scheduled observational opportunity to watch another choir perform


  • To Repair Rehearsal (work with Tesfa Wondemagegnehu and other choirs from across the country in rehearsal for To Repair)


  • Broadway 101 workshop

Concert Day Inclusions...

  • Principal Conductor: Andrew Clark


  • Composer-in-Residence: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu


  • Full rehearsal of To Repair led by Andrew Clark and Tesfa Wondemagegnehu at our rehearsal venue in Manhattan


  • Professional collaborative pianist, and supporting instrumentalist (per repertoire), for rehearsal and concert


  • Cue-to-cue walk-through, soundcheck, and finale rehearsal in Carnegie Hall


  • Professional production team dedicated to the performance (stage crew, house management, ushers, box office personnel, etc.)


  • Official PlayBill concert program with group bio and singer names


  • Dedicated house seats to experience other concert parts


  • Massed choir concert performance of To Repair in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium (joined by the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum)


  • All choir, Carnegie Hall premiere performance of the To Repair finale from COA’s Composer-in-Residence: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu

Other Inclusions...

  • One archival, digital video recording of Carnegie Hall concert


  • Professional audio recording of adjudicated performance


  • Exclusive access to purchase official concert photos


  • Memories to last a lifetime!


Festival Rate...

♬ Performer Rate: $379.00 per person


♬ Directors and Chaperones (up to 1 per 20): Free


♬ Additional Chaperones (concert ticket): $87.00

Application

Harmony Tours

Sample Tour Itinerary

Day One

  • Travel Day to NYC
  • Meet your Dedicated Harmony Tours Guide
  • Check into Hotel
  • Inclusive Group Welcome Dinner

Day Three

  • Inclusive Group Breakfast
  • Participate in 2023 Nationals for Top Choirs - Festival Day at the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College (adjudicated performance, observational opportunity, xChange workshop, and Broadway 101 workshop)
  • Inclusive Group Dinner in Times Square
  • Attend Broadway Musical

Day Five

  • Inclusive Group Breakfast
  • Free time to explore Central Park or shop along Fifth Avenue
  • Travel Home

Day Two

  • Inclusive Group Breakfast
  • Explore Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty
  • Visit 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center Observation Deck
  • Inclusive Group Dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner

Day Four

  • Inclusive Group Breakfast
  • Massed Choir Rehearsal for 2023 Nationals for Top Choirs
  • Narrated walking tour of Chinatown or Little Italy
  • Early Group Dinner
  • Perform in Carnegie Hall during COA's Harmonic Convergence Concert

Customize Your Tour

We have a scores of other ideas and options. Contact us to create and customize the perfect tour itinerary for you and your group!

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.
  • Can I have more than one ensemble perform?

    Absolutely!

  • Can I see your adjudication rubric?

    Sure.  Here they are...


    Concert Band Standards and Rubric (click here)

    Orchestra Standards and Rubric (click here)

    Choir Standards and Rubric (click here)

  • Can we book our entire tour through you?

    Absolutely!

  • Do I use my own repertoire?

    Yes.

  • Is my group required to adjudicate?

    No.