Shrine of the Ages Choir

The Shrine of the Ages Choir is the premier large choral ensemble at Northern Arizona University. This mixed SATB choir is comprised of upper-division music majors and experienced non-music majors. Performances include regional and international tours and collaborations with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.

• Rehearsals: M/W 3:00-3:50 pm and T/TH 2:20-3:50 pm

Founded in 1933 under the direction of Dr. Eldon Ardrey, the choir brought tremendous exposure to the university through its annual participation in the Easter Sunrise Service at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The service was broadcast nationally over NBC radio affiliate stations until 1968, including broadcasts overseas to servicemen during WWII. From 1955 to 1983, Shrine was conducted by Millard Kinney who maintained a tradition of excellence in performance. In 1983 the choir’s name was changed to University Chorale. In 1999, during the NAU Centennial Celebration, the director of choral studies, Dr. Edith Copley, changed the name back to the “Shrine of the Ages Choir.”

Shrine has performed at regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educators National Conference. Shrine tours regionally each year as well as internationally, including the Peoples Republic of China, Western Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Istanbul. Shrine has also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and will tour Sweden, Estonia, and Latvia in May 2017.

The Shrine of the Ages Choir consists of undergraduate and graduate students of various majors who have dedicated themselves to work toward a common goal of growth through the study and performance of outstanding choral repertoire.

Join by signing up for a choral placement audition.