Jacksonville State University Choirs

08/04/2026

Sing with us!

07/28/2026

https://www.jsu.edu/news/articles/2026/07/jax-state-singers-perform-at-carnegie-hall.html

When 19 singers from Jacksonville State University’s A Ca****la Choir and Civic Chorale recently gathered on the storied stage of Carnegie Hall, they brought with them the shared belief that music, when sung together, can bridge generations.  

07/16/2026

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our longtime accompanying pianist and best friend, Dr. Rachel Kyejung Park, as she resigns from Jax State.

Dr. Park is not only a world-class pianist and a phenomenal professor loved by all who were privileged enough to enter her classroom; she became an integral part of our choral family and to our artistry as a collective. As she stood alongside us on tours both domestically and internationally, she brought comfort to every room she entered.

“Dr. Park is, and always will be, one of the best parts of A Ca****la Choir! One of my favorite things was watching the older choir members clap and cheer when she walked into the room, and then seeing the newer members eventually join in as the year went on. It didn’t matter how long someone had been in choir, she somehow became everyone’s favorite,” said alto section leader Adria Hamilton.

Many members who competed in Europe can recall the night in the Netherlands where we joined hands around a piano, on which Dr. Park accompanied us as we sang “Fairest Lord Jesus” through sobs. It was at that moment we realized her partnership with this program was bigger than just music. She was part of our family.

We congratulate Dr. Park for all the work she has done here and we wish her the best in her future endeavors. 사랑합니다!

07/07/2026

It’s next week!

🎶 Join us July 12th–14th at the 2026 Alabama ACDA Summer Conference!

We’re excited to feature the Jacksonville State A Ca****la Choir as one of our Headliner Concert Performing Choirs!

✨ Directed by Dr. Eliezer Yanson Jr.
✨ Performance at First United Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of Alabama’s outstanding collegiate choirs in concert as part of an inspiring conference filled with exceptional music-making and professional development.

🎉 It’s not too late to register!

Join choral directors from across Alabama for an outstanding time of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

🖥️ Register today:
www.alabamaacda.org/summerconference

07/02/2026

Come one, Come all!

06/26/2026

Check this interview out featuring alumnus David Ritschard.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Esw4rJ4RM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What is the true purpose of an All-State choir? 🏛️

Is it a reward reserved strictly for the top tier of high school choral achievement? Or is it a spark meant to inspire and transform smaller music programs from the bottom up?

In Episode 294, Dave Ritschard and I dive headfirst into this hot-button debate. Dave teaches in Alabama, where the state association is planning to add a mandatory sight-reading component to All-State auditions. He’s pushing back, arguing that it creates massive equity barriers for rural programs where kids don't get early literacy training.

Naturally, my perspective bumps up against his, leading to a constructive back-and-forth about the fine line between upholding musical excellence and creating accidental systemic gatekeeping.

Drop your thoughts: Sight-read at All-State auditions... yes or no? 🗣️
https://bit.ly/Choralosophy294

06/10/2026

Come one, come all!

06/07/2026

😊

‘Choir’ by Chloe ❤️ :: “These words were written in response to an online choir assignment given from me to my students during this unprecedented time. The assignment was to have my students tell me how they would define choir. Chloe (who is graduating in two days and has been a student of mine since the 8th grade) wrote this beautiful definition that with her permission I am compelled to share.” ~ Joseph Woolf, Choral Music Teacher at Desert Hills High School (Utah, USA)

06/04/2026

😊

04/18/2026

We had a wonderful concert last night at the Oxford Performing Arts Center “OPAC”.

We want to give a special shout out to our amazing directors and collaborative pianists.

Director of Choral Activities, Director of A Ca****la Choir, and Civic Choral- Dr. Yanson

Director of Collegiate Choir- Mrs. Susan McCall

And of course our pianist- Mrs. Allyson West, Mrs. Sharon Reynolds, and Dr. Rachel Park (not pictured)

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to our program here at Jax State!