Choral studies

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Welcome to choral studiesÌýat the Â鶹ӰԺ College of Music!

Our choral studies strive to examine and honor the legacy of pastÌýfaculty, while moving forward with evolving pedagogiesÌýand programs, and the music of underrepresented composers.

The CU Â鶹ӰԺ choral studies area, founded in 1938 by Warner Imig, was the first formal area of study in the College of Music; in the 1960s, CU Â鶹ӰԺ became one of the first universities in the nation to offer a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting.ÌýThe department continues to mentor great students from across the university, while preparing and performing everything from new works to jazz to traditional masterworks through regular collaborations with the CU Â鶹ӰԺ Wind Symphony, the CU Symphony and the Â鶹ӰԺ Philharmonic.

Upcoming choral events

Our choirs

Our choirs

Students from many majors and interest areas sing inÌýCU Â鶹ӰԺ choirs—not only music majors! Join a choir ... and sing!

CU Â鶹ӰԺ Chamber Singers (SATB)—Coreen Duffy, conductorÌý
CU Â鶹ӰԺ University Choir (SATB)—Elizabeth Swanson, conductorÌýÌý
CU Â鶹ӰԺ Festival Chorus (SATB)—Coreen Duffy, faculty advisorÌý
CU Â鶹ӰԺ Treble Chorus (SSAA choir)—Elizabeth Swanson, conductor

Alumni

We’re proud of our choral studies alumni, including those who have gone on to teach at Fresno State University, Harding University, Metro State University, Oklahoma State University, Regis University, Samford University, San Jose State University, University of Kentucky and University of Missouri-Kansas City, among many other institutions; others have proceeded toÌýfound and/or direct organizations and schools such as Young Voices of Colorado and the Central Educational Center charter school.ÌýNotable choral studiesÌýalumni include Charlene Archibeque, Eph Ehly, Anna Hamre, Hugh Sanders, Z. Randall StroopeÌýand many more.ÌýCheck out ourÌýalumni class notesÌýfor more alumni accomplishmentsÌýand follow our ongoingÌý.

Coreen Duffy

Coreen Duffy

Coreen Duffy is associate professor of conducting and director of choral activities at the Â鶹ӰԺ where she conducts the CU Â鶹ӰԺ Chamber Singers and oversees the choral program. Her duties at the College of Music include leading the graduate program in choral conducting at both the master’s and doctoral levels. Duffy is also artistic director of the Seicento Baroque Ensemble, a Â鶹ӰԺ-based semi-professional choral ensemble committed to working with period instruments and historically-informed performance practice.ÌýPrior to her appointment at CU Â鶹ӰԺ, Duffy served on the faculties of the University of Montana and the University of Miami Frost School of Music. As director of choral activities at the University of Montana, Duffy conducted the Chamber Chorale and University Choir and served as Artistic Director of the Missoula Community Chorus.ÌýMORE

Elizabeth Swanson

Elizabeth Swanson is associate director of choral activities at the Â鶹ӰԺ. She conducts the CU Â鶹ӰԺ Treble Chorus and University Choir which was founded in 1938 by Warner Imig, a former dean of the College of Music. A passionate educator, Swanson teaches courses in conducting at the undergraduate level and serves on master’s and doctoral committees. She is also the faculty advisor for CU Â鶹ӰԺ’s student ACDA chapter. Swanson was awarded a competitive university-wide Provost’s Faculty Achievement Award (2024) acknowledging her contributions to CU Â鶹ӰԺ through her scholarly and creative work, teaching, leadership and service. Additionally, Swanson oversaw the College of Music’s choral studies program as interim director of choral activities for four semesters (2018-19; 2024) during which she supervised all aspects of the program.ÌýMORE

Contact

Coreen Duffy
Director of Choral Activities
coreen.duffy@colorado.edu
,ÌýS217