Acappella Choir

The Acappella Choir is an auditioned ensemble made up of about 60 to 65 CSU, Chico students of any major. The ensemble is directed by David Scholz, Department of Music and Theatre faculty member. The Acappella Choir performs a diverse repertoire of quality vocal music written anywhere from the seventeenth to twenty-first century. This diverse selection of songs can include anything from classical works to folk music. The ensemble is typically accompanied by Clark Minor on piano.

Chamber Singers

The Chamber Singers is the most advanced auditioned choir. It is smaller than the Acappella Choir, containing approximately 20 members. Also directed by David Scholz, the members of the choir are CSU, Chico students of any major who are also in Acappella Choir. The Chamber Singers sing challenging choral literature in various styles. They perform a selection of songs from around the world that are teeming with depth and excellence. Their vocals are generally accompanied by Clark Minor on piano.

About the Director

David Scholz is the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at California State University, Chico. He directs the Acappella Choir and Chamber Singers and teaches various music classes, including vocal studio instruction. He oversees the Chico Bach Festival, the Centennial Organ Recital Series, and co-coordinates Glorious Sounds of the Season. He is a faculty senator, on the Student Evaluation of Teaching Committee, chair of the department’s Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Committee, on the Humanities and Fine Arts Scholarship Committee, and is a member of the Instructionally Related Activities Advisory Board. Scholz has a BA in vocal music education from St. Olaf College, an MA in choral conducting from Michigan State University, and a PhD in conducting from the University of Minnesota. He was named Young Conductor of the Year by the Minnesota American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) (2003). Scholz is the director of the Chancel Choir at Bidwell Presbyterian Church and in 2010 founded the North Valley Chamber Chorale. He is a contributing author to Teaching Music through Performance in Choir, Volumes II, III and IV. Scholz is a member of the ACDA, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, Music Educators National Conference, California Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Kappa Phi. He and his wife Dara, a professional singer and vocal instructor, reside in Chico, CA with their son, Luka.