Applications for Program Fellow and Scholars are open through December 5. 

Build choral-orchestral skills and advance your career in a supportive learning environment with world-class, accessible teachers.

Chorus America’s Choral-Orchestral Conducting Academy gives choral conductors a unique opportunity to develop choral-orchestral skills and enhance their university training. During this week-long program, participating conductors will have the opportunity to study one-on-one with expert faculty and conduct choral-orchestral repertoire. The Academy culminates with a final performance in Meng Concert Hall on the campus of California State University, Fullerton.

Repertoire

• Ein deutches Requiem – Johannes Brahms
• Ruminations – Jennifer Higdon

New This Year: Partnership with Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles

Chorus America is proud to partner with the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles (CO-LA). This new pre-professional orchestra features competitive musicians from USC, UCLA, Colburn, and the California State Universities in Long Beach, Fullerton, Northridge, Cal Arts, providing paid performance and training opportunities across Southern California. CO-LA was formed in 2024 by the Musicians at Play Foundation and is conducted by music director Anthony Parnther. For the 2025 Conducting Academy, CO-LA will serve as orchestral forces during the week and for the final performance of the program. Conducting Academy participants will have an opportunity to observe preparation rehearsals with the orchestra and interact with them throughout the week.

Interested in a more in-depth review of the Academy experience? Read our blog recap to see highlights from the 2023 program.

Funding support provided by Chorus America's John Alexander Fund and Duain Wolfe Fund, the Colburn Foundation, the George F. Jewett Foundation, the Popplestone Foundation, ACFEA Tour Consultants, Mary Lyons, Lenora Meister, and the National Endowment for the Arts.