COA Nationals for Top Choirs | March 19-21, 2026

Choirs of America

2026 Nationals for Top Choirs

NYC + Carnegie Hall

March 19-21, 2026

Principal Conductor: Craig Hella Johnson

Guest Conductor: Rollo Dilworth

Composers-in-Residence: Rollo Dilworth & Coty Raven Morris

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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 premier choice for choirs seeking an unparalleled festival + concert performance experience. Launched in New York City and Carnegie Hall with Anton Armstrong as the Principal Conductor in 2013, this program has experienced remarkable growth.

Honoring our conviction that collaboration is vastly superior to competition (at least as it pertains to creating art), we have thoughtfully designed and curated the COA Nationals to offer a comprehensive and enriching experience, focusing on top-tier educational adjudications, extensive one-hour clinics, and exceptional performance opportunities, all while fostering collaborative exchanges with other choirs and esteemed teaching artists.

During the 3-day COA Nationals event in March 2026, participating choirs will have the rare chance to learn from some of America's top teaching artists (Julie Yu, Coty Raven-Morris, Bruce Rogers) and to work under two of its most iconic choral conductors, Craig Hella Johnson (Principal Conductor) and Rollo Dilworth (Guest Conductor).

You'll also join choirs from across the country and perform in world-famous Carnegie Hall during an enthralling, unforgettable concert complete with a world-premiere piece written especially for the occasion by our Composer-in-Residence, Dr. Rollo Dilworth (world premiere with text by Coty Raven Morris). This highly educational and performative event promises a profoundly impactful and transformative experience for everyone involved.

Meet Your Teaching Artists.

Craig Hella Johnson

Principal Conductor
Bio
Rollo Dilworth

Guest Conductor
Composer-in-Residence
Bio

André Thomas
Teaching Artist / Clinician
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Julie Yu-Oppenheim
Teaching Artist / Clinician
Bio
Bruce Rogers
Teaching Artist / Clinician
Bio
Coty Raven Morris
Composer-in-Residence
Teaching Artist
Bio
Troy Meeker
Teaching Artist
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Festival Inclusions

Pre-Trip Inclusions...

Placement into one of three massed choirs (Grandioso, Vivace, or Armonioso) for the concert in Carnegie Hall

Festival chorus development and preparation assistance

Rehearsal notes from COA’s Artistic Team relating to massed choir repertoire assigned by the Principal Conductor, 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...

Thursday, March 19, 2026

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 (click here for rubric)

Detailed, one-hour clinic with one of COA’s Teaching Artists: Bruce Rogers, Julie Yu, Coty Raven-Morris, André Thomas

Scheduled observational opportunity to watch another choir perform

xChange: A Meeting of Voices workshop (during which you'll get to sing for other choirs from across the country… and vice-versa)

Rehearsal Day Inclusions...

Friday, March 20, 2026

Principal Conductor: Craig Hella Johnson

Guest Conductor & Composer-in-Residence: Rollo Dilworth

Full rehearsal for your assigned massed choir (Grandioso, Vivace, or Armonioso) led by Craig Hella Johnson and Rollo Dilworth at our rehearsal venue in Manhattan

Pen2Podium Workshop with Composer-in-Residence, Rollo Dilworth (and Lyricist, Coty Raven Morris) relating to the World-Premiere written by them for this event

Professional collaborative pianist, and supporting instrumentalist (per repertoire), for rehearsal and Pen2Podium workshop

Concert Day Inclusions...

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Cue-to-cue walk-through 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 in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium (1pm Concert)

Spotlight, individual choir performance opportunity during concert in Carnegie Hall (for choirs bringing 45 or more singers)

All choir world-premiere finale performance of newly commissioned piece from COA’s Composer-in-Residence: Rollo Dilworth (with text written by Coty Raven Morris)

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: $429.00 per person

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

♬ Additional Chaperones (concert ticket): $95.00

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 (Rehearsal Day)

Inclusive Group Breakfast
Explore Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty
Pen2Podium Workshop + Massed Choir Rehearsal for 2026 Nationals for Top Choirs
Inclusive Group Dinner in Manhattan
Visit Summit One Vanderbilt Observatory

Day Five

Inclusive Group Breakfast
Director's Selection: explore Central Park, shop along Fifth Avenue, visit Metropolitan Museum of Art, etc.
Travel Home

Day Two (Festival Day)

Inclusive Group Breakfast
Participate in 2026 Nationals for Top Choirs - Festival Day at the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College (adjudicated performance, observational opportunity, full clinic, xChange workshop)
Inclusive Group Dinner in Times Square
Attend Broadway Musical

Day Four (Concert Day)

Inclusive Group Breakfast
Early Group Lunch
Perform in Carnegie Hall during COA's Harmonic Convergence Concert
Enjoy a post-concert DJ Dance Dinner Cruise aboard the Hornblower Infinity

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!

REQUEST CUSTOM TOUR QUOTE

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.

"We had a wonderful time! Great trip, wonderful guide, fun festival!"

- Hawaii tour and festival participant from the Seattle Children's Chorus

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"We had an incredible choir tour with Harmony Tours!!! It feels so good to travel with these incredible humans! Mahalo Hawaii!"

- Kimberly R, Choir Director, Green Valley High School

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"It was a wonderful trip. Well organized. Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. Great sites and meals. Thank you!!!

- Seattle tour participant from Sheldon High School
Thank you for coordinating the Band's tour to Orlando. My daughter had a great time and I felt like she was well taken care of."

- Kirsten H, Tour Participant Mom

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"THANK YOU for making our dreams come true. We could not have done this without you!"

- Steve P, Band Director, Tournament of Roses Parade Band

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"Such a fabulous and fun day with my Chamber Singers at the Choirs of America Festival today!"

- Laura R, Choir Director, Chino Hills High School

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"The experience of performing in the esteemed Carnegie Hall was awe-inspiring and will have a lasting impact on me, and the choir."

- Marshall W, Artistic Director, Voices of Unity Youth Choir

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"After 7 trips to Carnegie Hall, I can say I enjoyed yours the most!"

Bonnie G, Director Emeritus, Royal High School Choir

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"Your format for this festival does have a positive effect on the teachers and choirs choosing to attend your event."

- Dr. Andre Thomas

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"Singing at Carnegie Hall constituted one of the most intense moments of my life."

- Choral Participant, COA Nationals for Top Choirs

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"We are still flying high from a wonderful weekend with Choirs of America and Dr. Z. Randall Stroope in the magnificent Carnegie Hall!"

- Trish J, Artistic Director, New Jersey Youth Chorus
"Great tour guide. Jam-packed fun and very well-organized. Thank you!"

- Rowena C, Tour Participant

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"We had an absolutely incredible time!!! Everything was so organized. We will definitely use your company again and again!"

- Kim R, Tour Participant

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"Such an amazing experience, so many activities, so much to see and we saw it all! Great hotel, comfortable and restful! We will definitely use Harmony Tours again!"

- New York City performing arts group tour participant from Central Valley Christian School
"Our son had an amazing experience that he will remember for the rest of his life. The entire trip was very well organized. It was impressive."

- Parent of NYC tour and festival participant from Ballard High School
"What a fantastic experience for students and parents. From the beginning of the planning process over a year ago to the actual trip, working with Harmony Tours was a pleasure every step of the way."

- Choir Director from Chaminade College Preparatory School, Nationals for Top Choirs in NYC + Carnegie Hall

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"We found the trip very well organized, run like a clock, and hugely fun and memorable!"

- NYC tour and festival participant from Brentwood High School
"My daughter had a great time! I was impressed by the itinerary and how thorough the cultural activities were. I hope the students get to experience another trip offered by Harmony Tours!"

- Parent of NYC tour and festival participant from The Hockaday School
"Very well organized, educational, and fun! Loved having a Tour Director help us in a city we didn't know. Things were timely run and very well handled."

- NYC tour and festival participant from Oak Ridge High School

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"My daughter had a wonderful time discovering new things in NYC with her friends. I loved being able to see her sing in Carnegie Hall. It was an amazing experience."

- Parent of a NYC tour and festival participant from Hollis Brookline High School

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"Well-planned itinerary! The students had a great time and their performance opportunities were fantastic. They loved listening to other choirs perform. Thank you Harmony Tours and Choirs of America!"

- Chaperone Parent of a Hawaii tour and festival participant from Benjamin Franklin High School

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Harmony Tours | Choirs of America | Harmony Productions

1001 East Harmony Road, Suite A-300 | Fort Collins, CO 80525

Toll-Free: (800) 284-2177 | Email: Hello@Go2Harmony.com

Areas of Interest

Performing Arts Group Tours

Choirs of America Festivals

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Upcoming Performance Opportunities - Choral & Instrumental

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About Us and Our Team

Request a Group Tour Package Quote

Request Festival or Event Info

Online Festival or Event Registration

Worldwide Performance Group, LLC

CST#: 2145898-40

Choirs of America

2026 Nationals for Top Choirs

NYC + Carnegie Hall

March 19-21, 2026

Principal Conductor: Craig Hella Johnson

Guest Conductor: Rollo Dilworth

Composers-in-Residence: Rollo Dilworth & Coty Raven Morris

Sing and Learn in the Big Apple

(and Perform in Carnegie Hall)

Meet Your Teaching Artists.

Craig Hella Johnson

Rollo Dilworth

Festival Inclusions

Pre-Trip Inclusions...

Festival Day Inclusions...

Rehearsal Day Inclusions...

Concert Day Inclusions...

Festival Rate...

Sample Tour Itinerary

Day One

Day Three (Rehearsal Day)

Day Five

Day Two (Festival Day)

Day Four (Concert Day)

Customize Your Tour

FAQs

Can I have more than one ensemble perform?

Can I see your adjudication rubric?

Can we book our entire tour through you?

Do I use my own repertoire?

Is my group required to adjudicate?

"We had a wonderful time! Great trip, wonderful guide, fun festival!"

"We had an incredible choir tour with Harmony Tours!!! It feels so good to travel with these incredible humans! Mahalo Hawaii!"

"It was a wonderful trip. Well organized. Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. Great sites and meals. Thank you!!!

Thank you for coordinating the Band's tour to Orlando. My daughter had a great time and I felt like she was well taken care of."

"THANK YOU for making our dreams come true. We could not have done this without you!"

"Such a fabulous and fun day with my Chamber Singers at the Choirs of America Festival today!"

"The experience of performing in the esteemed Carnegie Hall was awe-inspiring and will have a lasting impact on me, and the choir."

"After 7 trips to Carnegie Hall, I can say I enjoyed yours the most!"

"Your format for this festival does have a positive effect on the teachers and choirs choosing to attend your event."

"Singing at Carnegie Hall constituted one of the most intense moments of my life."

"We are still flying high from a wonderful weekend with Choirs of America and Dr. Z. Randall Stroope in the magnificent Carnegie Hall!"

"Great tour guide. Jam-packed fun and very well-organized. Thank you!"

"We had an absolutely incredible time!!! Everything was so organized. We will definitely use your company again and again!"

"Such an amazing experience, so many activities, so much to see and we saw it all! Great hotel, comfortable and restful! We will definitely use Harmony Tours again!"

"Our son had an amazing experience that he will remember for the rest of his life. The entire trip was very well organized. It was impressive."

"What a fantastic experience for students and parents. From the beginning of the planning process over a year ago to the actual trip, working with Harmony Tours was a pleasure every step of the way."

"We found the trip very well organized, run like a clock, and hugely fun and memorable!"

"My daughter had a great time! I was impressed by the itinerary and how thorough the cultural activities were. I hope the students get to experience another trip offered by Harmony Tours!"

"Very well organized, educational, and fun! Loved having a Tour Director help us in a city we didn't know. Things were timely run and very well handled."

"My daughter had a wonderful time discovering new things in NYC with her friends. I loved being able to see her sing in Carnegie Hall. It was an amazing experience."

"Well-planned itinerary! The students had a great time and their performance opportunities were fantastic. They loved listening to other choirs perform. Thank you Harmony Tours and Choirs of America!"

Group Leaders Zoom with Us

Tour Quote Request Form

Online Registration / Info Request Form

Our Team of Experts

Quick Connect

Quick Connect

Group Leaders

Zoom with Us

Tour Quote
Request Form

Online Registration /
Info Request Form

Our Team

of Experts