Pictured are members of the 2022 Chamber Choir.

It was recently announced that the State University of New York at Fredonia’s Chamber Choir earned second place in the 2023 The American Prize, Choral Performance College/University division (larger program) competition.

The chamber choir consists of 24 soprano, alto, tenor and bass singers auditioned from the entire university. The choir tours regularly and serves as musical and cultural ambassadors for the Fredonia School of Music. The ensemble specializes in advanced choral repertoire while offering additional music for special events and outreach performances.

In 2022, the choir performed at the Eastern Region American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conference in Boston. The group also performed for the opening concert of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) conference in Rochester on Nov. 30. The conference was the largest gathering of music educators in the state and the largest state music education conference in the U.S.

The group is one of three ensembles performing at a Holiday Festival concert in King Concert Hall at SUNY Fredonia, which was recorded for broadcast on WNED-TV and available to all New York State PBS stations during the holiday season.

Dr. Vernon Huff, who is director of Choral Activities and associate professor of Choral Music Education at SUNY Fredonia, serves as conductor. In his role, Dr. Huff also conducts the Fredonia Masterworks Chorus, teaches courses in choral conducting, music education, and supervises the Master of Music choral conducting degree program. He has served as guest clinician and conductor across the U.S., from Arizona to Connecticut.