A panel of leading choral experts will evaluate the entries and shortlist the Top 10 choirs that will take part in America’s Top Choirs Virtual Grand Finale event on Sunday, October 24, 2021, at 8 pm EDT / 5 pm PDT. Among this year’s panel of esteemed judges is Dr. Charlene Archibeque, one of America’s foremost choral conductors and teachers. Known for her knowledge of the choral repertoire and performance practice of all styles, Dr. Archibeque has conducted and prepared over 150 major choral works with orchestras and chooses music from all historical periods.
Her distinguished career spanning six decades is replete with International and domestic recognitions and accolades. Known for her knowledge of the choral repertoire and performance practice of all styles, Dr. Archibeque has conducted and prepared over 150 major choral works with orchestras and chooses music from all historical periods.
In her 35-year tenure, as Director of Choral Activities at San Jose State University, she not only trained hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students but also helped put SJSU on the world map by winning seven international choral competitions with the famous SJSU Choraliers, completing sixteen concert tours to Australia, Mexico and throughout Europe and conducting in many major music halls. Dr. Archibeque also won prizes for Best Conductor at Spittal, Gorizia, and Tallinn International Festivals.
She has conducted in many major music halls, including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Berlin Philharmonic, among many others. Dr. Archibeque has presented choir clinics and conductors’ workshops throughout the US and Australia, England, Canada, and most of Europe.
She was the recipient of the Howard Swan Award presented by California ACDA in 2008 and the “Excellence in Choral Music” presented by the University of Colorado in 2013. Recently Dr. Archibeque was made an Honorary Life Member of the National Collegiate Choral Organization. She was named Distinguished Alumna in May 2020 from the College of Music at the University of Colorado. The recipient of both San Jose State’s highest honors: Outstanding Professor and President’s Scholar, she currently serves on the Board of the American Beethoven Society, is a Past-President of the Silicon Valley League of the San Francisco Symphony, and is Editor of the Charlene Archibeque Choral Series with Santa Barbara Music Publishers.
Dr. Archebeque was the first woman to earn the DMA in Choral Conducting in 1969 from the University of Colorado.
To find out more about America’s Got Choirs School Edition and how to enter please click here