About Us

With over 150 participants and four choral ensembles, the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University offers a comprehensive choral program that prepares the music major and non-music major for the rigorous demands of the professional academic and performing worlds.

Learn More

Special Events

Concert Schedule

Spring 2024
February 18th Chamber Choir ACDA Preview Concert | 3:00pm | Minor Basilica
April 4th Chamber/Lyrica/Orpheus Concert | 7:30pm | Magale Recital Hall/Livestream
April 14th Carmina Burana for 2 Pianos and Percussion performed by Cane River Singers & Soloists 3:00pm | Magale Recital Hall/Livestream

Other Vocal Area Concerts

Scholarships

To schedule an audition, please contact:

Director of Choral Activities, Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Nicholaus B. Cummins at cumminsn@nsula.edu or,

Associate Director of Choral Activities,  Adam Philly at philleya@nsula.edu.

Audition requirements

Directors

Dr. Nicholaus Cummins
Associate Professor of Music Education & Director of Choral Activities
318-357-5755
cumminsn@nsula.edu
Faculty Profile

Adam Philley
Assistant Professor of Music-Voice & Associate Director of Choral Activities
318.357.5753
philleya@nsula.edu
Faculty Profile

NSU Chamber Choir

The premier vocal ensemble at NSU, this 32-member ensemble is comprised of the top vocalists at the university. The choir has competed and won significant awards in choral competitions, Hungary, Italy, and Austria. They performed at the 2024 Southern Division ACDA & 2019 National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference. The choir has also been the featured invited choir at Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA), Louisiana American Choral Directors Association, (LA ACDA) and guest artist series in several venues. Additionally, each December the Chamber Choir presents the annual Lessons & Carols in the Minor Basilica in Natchitoches, LA.

Cane River Singers

This SATB ensemble is comprised of students, faculty, and local Natchitoches community members. They act as an outreach to the community and present concerts featuring major choral works each semester. Recent collaborations with the NSU Chamber Orchestra & Shreveport Symphony Orchestra have been just a few of the great experiences this choir provides.

Lyrica

Comprised of 40 Treble voices, Lyrica sings choral literature suitable for treble voices and performs a joint concert each semester. Lyrica has performed with the NSU Chamber Orchestra, Louisiana American Choral Directors Association, and the Louisiana Music Educators Association State Music convention.

Orpheus

A crowd favorite, Orpheus, formerly Men’s Chorus, is comprised of tenor & bass students and performs a joint concert each semester with Lyrica. They also perform regularly on and off campus.