Johnson C. Smith University Choral Program Give

Choral Program  /  Ensembles

Choral Ensembles

Three ensembles,
one program

Each has its own literature and its own standard. Singers may be placed in more than one.

The ensembles

What each one sings

01

The University Choir

A mixed ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of traditional, contemporary, sacred and secular choral literature.

The University Choir is the program’s flagship and its oldest continuous ensemble, tracing back through the University Glee Club of 1926 to the Biddle University Quintet of 1908. In 1964 it was selected as the official broadcasting choir for the United Presbyterian Church, USA.

  • Traditional choral literature
  • Contemporary choral literature
  • Sacred repertoire
  • Secular repertoire

02

The Golden Voices Gospel Choir

A mixed ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of traditional and contemporary gospel music literature and history.

The Gospel Choir studies the genre as repertoire and as history. It carries much of the program’s church work across the Carolinas, singing in Presbyterian, Baptist and non-denominational congregations through the spring.

  • Traditional gospel literature
  • Contemporary gospel literature
  • The history of the genre

03

The Smith Singers

An elite ensemble designed to perform for exclusive engagements on and off campus, featuring the program’s most talented singers.

The Smith Singers specialize in contemporary and classical a cappella music. Membership is drawn from within the program, and the ensemble represents JCSU at receptions, ceremonies and invited engagements where a small, highly finished group is wanted.

  • Contemporary a cappella
  • Classical a cappella
  • Exclusive on- and off-campus engagements

One program

Different rooms, the same tradition

The three ensembles rehearse separately and sing different literature, but they belong to a single choral program with a single history behind it — one that has been part of this campus since 1908 and has sung before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, on Good Morning America, and with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

Under Dr. Angelica Brooks the program returned to three ensembles, including an officially recognized Gospel Choir.

The full history Hear us sing

Join an ensemble

Placement begins
at the audition

One audition is considered for all three ensembles. The window for 2026–2027 is February 20 through March 6, 2026.

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