ABOUT THE DELAWARE CHORAL SCHOLARS
The pursuit of Artistry, Excellence, and Community.
WHO WE ARE
The Delaware Choral Scholars (DCS) is a project-based international touring ensemble that grew from the University of Delaware’s longstanding choral tradition into one of the world’s leading chamber choirs. Composed of current students, alumni, and accomplished guest singers, DCS offers immersive performance and educational projects that unite ambitious singers and conductors for artistic collaboration, cultural exchange, and the pursuit of choral excellence.
DCS prioritizes exceptional, boundary-pushing choral experiences — in rehearsal rooms, on concert stages, and abroad — that combine rigorous musicianship with cultural curiosity. DCS programs emphasize stylistically informed performance, innovative programming, and sustained vocal and pedagogical growth for singers and conductors alike.
THE DCS MODEL
The Delaware Choral Scholars are composed of singers from several different backgrounds. Projects fall under three different categories: The Delaware Choral Scholars, DCS and Friends, and DCS Collegiate Choir.
Current Students
Current students at the University of Delaware form a large portion of the group.
Alumni
Alumni of the University of Delaware sing with the current students, bringing a different perspective.
The Choral Community
Participants from friends of the University of Delaware choirs and the members of the audience bring life and joy to the ensemble.
The Delaware Choral Scholars:
Our premier auditioned group. Competitively re-auditioned for each project.
DCS and Friends:
Our symposium choir, non-auditioned. Brings together singers from previous DCS choirs and members of the community.
DCS Collegiate Choir:
Our fully collegiate ensemble, composed entirely of current University of Delaware singers.
ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION
DCS began in 2014 as the Delaware Choral Academy, a summer conducting symposium and singer residency held in Aix-en-Provence, France. For six years the Academy attracted hundreds of participants from across the U.S. and abroad to sing large and chamber repertoire in historic venues and to study with visiting conductors and composers. After a pandemic pause, the project returned as the Delaware Choral Scholars, expanding its scope from a regional summer program to a year-round international touring ensemble and educational initiative.
WHAT WE DO: PROJECTS AND TOURS
As a project ensemble, DCS curates short-term immersive projects with long-term impact — residential symposiums, festival and competition tours, and community partnerships. Projects revolve around intensive rehearsal weekend residencies and international cultural exchanges designed to deepen the ensemble’s artistic voice while giving singers real-world touring and competition experience. Recent and future projects have taken DCS from Europe to the Pacific, with a special emphasis on creating reciprocal cultural experiences for host communities and participants.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
DCS’s rapid rise on the international stage is reflected in major competition results and global rankings:
- In 2024 at the World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand, DCS earned multiple gold medals and high scores in competitive categories, establishing the ensemble as a global contender.
- Following the 2024 Games, INTERKULTUR updated its World Rankings and named Delaware Choral Scholars the No. 1 choir in the world — a milestone for the ensemble and for U.S. choral music. DCS currently maintains this position as of 2025.
- DCS has maintained a winning streak on the European festival circuit, earning top prizes and jury awards at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (2023) and at the Tolosa International Choral Competition and Marktoberdorf events in 2025. These accolades reflect both stylistic versatility and thoughtfully crafted programs.
