A Standing Ovation for Trinity’s Chamber Singers

This upcoming spring, the Trinity University Chamber Singers will step onto one of the most distinguished stages in the choral world: the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Southwest Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For those in the choral community, this is no ordinary honor. The ACDA is the gold standard, the professional home of the nation’s top conductors, composers, and vocal ensembles. Biennially, only a handful of choirs are selected to perform, chosen through a blind, fiercely competitive process that draws submissions from across seven states.

When the news came, it wasn’t just cause for celebration. It was history in the making.

“This is the most prestigious invitation our choir has ever received,” says Gary Seighman, D.M.A., chair of the music department. “It’s an acknowledgment not only of our students’ artistry but also of the excellence that defines Trinity’s music program.”

To be chosen, Trinity’s ensemble rose above choirs from universities 15 to 20 times its size, including major conservatories and music schools with graduate programs. Fewer than 10 institutions with enrollments under 3,000 have earned this honor in the past four decades. In addition, for a collegiate ensemble with a majority of non-music majors, this honor is virtually unprecedented.

In other words, this is a once-in-a-generation moment.

For the singers, the upcoming performance in March 2026 is more than a concert. It’s a chance to represent Trinity on a national stage, to share their music with peers and professionals who set the bar for choral excellence, and to carry the pride of a community that believes deeply in the power of the arts.

“This invitation places Trinity on the national map in the choral world,” Seighman says. “It’s a moment that will open doors for future students, strengthen our alumni network, and remind us all of the transformative power of music.”

As the Chamber Singers prepare for Albuquerque, one thing is certain: Their voices, and Trinity’s reputation, have never rung more clearly.