I’m currently researching colleges, and a big factor for me is the quality of extracurriculars. I also love choir, so I’m interested in joining some in college! Sooo, among the schools I’m thinking about:
-Arizona State University
-University of Arizona
-UC Irvine
-UCLA
-University of Southern California
Which of these have reputable/nice ensembles?
Thank you!
The top college for choir is St Olaf College.it’s pretty selective but if your stats are UCLA/USC level, you should even get merit if you express interest now.
Concordia-Moorhead, Luther, Sonoma State are all less selective colleges with good choirs.
Vassar, Yale, Tufts are more selective colleges with top choirs.
before we discus the choices above, we need to know your stats (test scores, W/UW GPA) and state of residence (CA? AZ?)
If it needs to be a state school in the SW quadrant of the country, then you might want to look at the U of North Texas; Luther’s conductor Allen Hightower just accepted the endowed chair in choral conducting there. UNT has been well-funded for music for a long time.
But yes, a second for St. Olaf, Concordia-Moorhead, and Luther.
@MYOS1634 @Bekp2018 Thank you for the replies! I’m a junior from AZ, and some of stats are:
GPA- UW 3.96 W 4.79
SAT- CR 700 M 770 W 800
(I am taking the ACT next weekend and will take the new SAT in May)
For various reasons, I will stay in either Arizona or Southern California, and after extensive research, I’ve whittled my choices down to the above 5 colleges. Unfortunately, these choirs probably aren’t as great as the ones you guys listed, but are there other comparable ones in the area, or do you think that the choirs in the listed colleges are perhaps even worth pursuing?
Thank you for the advice!
Yes the choir at St Olaf is worth pursuing. Start emailing the college and the music department.
Considering your stats, Vassar, Yale, Tufts are not out of reach.
Do you have a disability or a family obligation that would so restrict your choices ?
Are you NMSF ?
What about budget ?
Asu and ua aren’t the universities you think of for choir, although you’d get Barrett and it’d make a difference (Barrett >ua honors >ua>asu).
It’s not completely necessary, but I neither feel ready nor happy going too far away from my family! 
I do not know yet about my National Merit status, but I predict that I will at least make the semifinalist cut with a 1490 and SI 223. And my family and I haven’t talked financial stuff yet, but each time I ask, my parents insist that I don’t worry about it. And that comparison really helps for the Arizona colleges, thank you!
USC Thornton has a very top notch choral music program–it’s the one that stands out the most on your list. Morton Lauridsen–arguably one of the most famous living choral composers–is on the faculty there.
Keep in mind that how you feel at age 16may be different from the way you’ll feel at age 20, when it comes to travelling. Geographical restrictions are a huge impediment to success, because the best college, your first job… May well not be near family. And while you’re waiting for something to materialize nearby, time and opportunities passed you by. (this unfortunately really does happenmore frequently than you’d think.) I realize it’s hard to get out of your comfort zone, and your best choices may well be within driving distance of your home, but once we’re talking plane ride it doesn’t matter where that plane takes you.
I agree usc is best among those listed.
@choirsandstages Thank you, that definitely bumps USC higher on my list; I will keep that in mind and research further! And @MYOS1634 I agree with you! I’ve thought extensively about whether my opportunities will be greater closer or farther from home, and I will definitely be more successful near home. So far I do not see any chances out of my region that are too good to pass up, but I am definitely open to them. Thank you for your advice!! 