The U.S. Army Chorus

The U.S. Army Chorus

Captain Scott McKenzie, Director

SFC Kerry Wilkerson, Enlisted Conductor

Music Player

Biography

In 1956 The U.S. Army Chorus was established as the vocal counterpart of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and is one of the nation’s only professional, all male choruses.

From its inception, The U.S. Army Chorus has established and maintained a reputation of excellence in the performance of male choral literature. Beyond the traditional military music and patriotic standards, the repertoire of the Army Chorus covers a broad spectrum which includes pop, Broadway, folk, and classical music.

The Army Chorus performs often at the White House and in support of functions hosted by the State Department and Department of Defense. The Chorus participated in the dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and the George W. Bush Presidential Library. The Chorus is a standard feature at events for each presidential inaugural, and has been featured in official ceremonies and special events at the U.S. Capitol.

World leaders, such as Queen Elizabeth II, the Princess of Thailand, former British Prime Minister John Major, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, and President of France Nicolas Sarkozy have been serenaded by the Army Chorus during state visits. These visiting dignitaries are often greeted in their native tongues, as the Chorus is able to sing in more than 26 languages.

The U.S. Army Chorus regularly appears with the National Symphony Orchestra in televised Memorial Day and Independence Day performances from the U.S. Capitol. The group has been featured on many well-known stages, including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Carnegie Hall. The Chorus has performed with the San Francisco Symphony, the Grant Park Symphony (Chicago), and was featured during weekly radio and television broadcasts of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The Army Chorus was personally requested to perform for the private interment services of former Presidents Ronald Wilson Reagan in 2004, and Gerald R. Ford in early 2007. The group was featured at the official state dinner held in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s historic visit to the U.S. in 2007.

The men of the Army Chorus, most of whom hold advanced degrees in music, are selected from among the nation’s finest musicians. In 2006 the group celebrated its 50th Anniversary which was marked with concerts that included a reunion of past members, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in music education and as soloists on Broadway and opera stages around the world.

Updated Tuesday, June 30, 2009 12:43 PM | The U.S. Army Chorus