The Norfolk State University Concert Choir has been under the baton of outstanding, talented, and dedicated music educators since its inception. In 1945 Harry Savage became the first full-time music faculty member of what was then, Norfolk Division of Virginia State College. Savage laid the framework for the music department and organized the first choir. When Harry Savage returned to Richmond Public Schools as a music teacher in 1946, Naomi Pettigrew succeeded Savage as choral director and won first place in the Marian Anderson Award Contest that same year. Music took a major thrust forward at Norfolk State College when Noah Francis Ryder joined the faculty in 1947. Ryder was a prominent composer, conductor, and music educator who had previously conducted the famed Hampton Institute choir. One of Ryder's first goals was to unite the community's support for the college by presenting cultural programs of the highest caliber. He was successful in this endeavor for the choir's concerts were always standing room only events. Under Ryder, the choir toured Virginia and the Eastern seaboard raising money for the young institution. Undine Smith Moore, John W. Work, and Harold J. Montague were some of the distinguished African American musicians who composed works for the choir during this period. Ryder also premiered over fifty of his own compositions with the choir. The NSU Choirs have distinguished themselves in concerts at Oberlin College, New York University, Westminster Choir College, The Cathedral of St. Paul (Detroit), St. Thomas Church (NYC), St. Paul’s Baptist Church (Richmond), Washington National Cathedral, Sixth Avenue Baptist Church (Birmingham), Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (Charlotte), and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to name a few. The choir is known for the beauty of its choral tone and the ability to render exemplary performances of choral works of the great masters. However, the choir also excels in presenting soulful, authentic performances of Negro spirituals, works by African American composers, and contemporary church music. Under the direction of Dr. Carl Haywood (Director of Choral Activities), the Concert Choir and the Spartan Chorale have enjoyed great success with the former releasing the compact disc, “Make a Joyful Noise.” The Spartan Chorale has been hailed “The President’s Own” because it continues to sing frequently at the request of the university president at conferences, forums, and meetings of the business community and legislature. Its new compact disc, “We Thank You,” has been highly acclaimed. The NSU Chamber Choir was created in 2003 to expand the offerings and productivity of the singers within the music department. It is under the capable leadership of Mr. Terry Butler, Assistant Director of Choral Activities. Under the direction of Alvin, Chris, and Nathan Rooks, the Voices of Inspirations was recently placed under the umbrella of NSU Choirs and has created new opportunities. The NSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Patricia Saunders Nixon, is the newest edition to NSU Choirs. Carl G. Harris states, ”The vocal brilliance and exquisite singing of the Norfolk State University Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Carl W. Haywood is extraordinary among college and university choirs today, and if music is, indeed, the universal language, it cannot be spoken more eloquently than by this extremely talented ensemble of young singers.” As always, NSU Choirs reflect through their performance artistry, “Achieving with Excellence.”