NACAPA Choir

Now Forming in Los Angeles

Join the Founding NACAPA Choir

An African-centered, community-wide performing ensemble open to every voice and everyone.

Apply to Join Learn About the Choir 🔒 Member Portal
About the Ensemble

A New Choir with a Distinct Cultural and Artistic Purpose

The NACAPA Choir is being established as a serious community performing ensemble rooted in African and African-diasporic musical traditions. The choir will bring together adult singers from different racial, cultural, professional, and musical backgrounds.

Members will develop ensemble technique, musicianship, cultural understanding, and performance experience while helping shape the identity and future of a new Los Angeles arts institution.

Prior choir experience is not required. Reading music is helpful, but not required. What matters most is a willingness to learn, rehearse consistently, work collaboratively, and approach the music with discipline and cultural respect.

The Experience

What Members Can Expect

The NACAPA Choir is intended to provide more than an occasional sing-along. It is being developed as a structured artistic, educational, and community-building ensemble.

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Musical Development

Develop vocal technique, ensemble awareness, musicianship, interpretation, and confidence through consistent rehearsals and guided artistic preparation.

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Meaningful Repertoire

Perform African and African-diasporic repertoire presented with cultural context, artistic integrity, and informed attention to language, style, history, and performance practice.

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Cultural Exchange

Participate in projects connecting African musical traditions with orchestral music, jazz, mariachi, theatre, dance, and other cultural forms without erasing the identity of any participating tradition.

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Performance Opportunities

Prepare for NACAPA concerts, community appearances, collaborative productions, educational programs, and future institutional partnerships.

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Community

Build durable relationships with singers, artists, educators, cultural practitioners, and community members from different backgrounds.

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Founding-Member Influence

Join during the ensemble’s formative stage and contribute to its culture, standards, repertoire, traditions, and long-term development.

Who Should Apply

Every Voice and Everyone

NACAPA welcomes adult singers from all racial, ethnic, cultural, and professional backgrounds.

  • You enjoy singing or want to develop as a singer.
  • You can commit to rehearsing consistently.
  • You value African and African-diasporic music.
  • You welcome disciplined cross-cultural collaboration.
  • You are prepared to learn unfamiliar musical traditions.
  • You want to help build a new Los Angeles ensemble.
  • You can work respectfully within a diverse community.
  • You are willing to prepare independently between rehearsals.
Cultural Exchange

Rooted in Africa. In Conversation with the World.

NACAPA’s African-centered mission does not isolate African performing arts from other communities and traditions.

Collaboration without cultural erasure

The NACAPA Choir may collaborate with orchestras, jazz ensembles, mariachi groups, theatre companies, dancers, schools, universities, faith communities, and other cultural institutions.

These projects will be structured around reciprocal learning, attribution, informed interpretation, artistic agency, and respect for the integrity of every tradition involved.

Application Process

What Happens After You Apply

Submit the Application

Tell us about your musical background, voice, availability, interests, and what draws you to the NACAPA Choir.

Application Review

NACAPA will review your submission and contact you with the next step, scheduling information, or any necessary follow-up questions.

Orientation or Vocal Placement

Selected applicants may be invited to an orientation, informational session, or non-intimidating vocal-placement process before rehearsals begin.

About Rehearsals

Tentative Rehearsals Information

Rehearsal Frequency

NACAPA Choir will hold two extensive rehearsals every other week each month.
2 Rehearsals each month.

Rehearsal Venue

We are considering venues that would be favorable to most neighborhoods in LA County. Initial rehearsals may take place in South LA or the West Adams area.

Important Dates

Priority Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
Anticipated First Rehearsal:
August 22, 2026

Choir Application

Apply to Join the NACAPA Choir

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Apply

Do I need previous choir experience?
No. Previous choir experience is not required. Applicants should, however, be prepared to learn, accept musical direction, practice between rehearsals, and participate consistently.
Do I need to read music?
No. Reading music is helpful, but it is not required. NACAPA welcomes singers with different levels of musical training and experience.
Is the choir open only to African singers?
No. The NACAPA Choir is African-centered and open to singers of every racial, ethnic, and cultural background. Members must be willing to approach African and African-diasporic repertoire with respect, discipline, and openness to learning.
What music will the choir perform?
The choir will center African and African-diasporic repertoire. It will also participate in Cultural Exchange projects involving orchestral music, jazz, mariachi, theatre, dance, and other traditions.
Is this a casual community sing-along?
No. The choir is community-wide and welcoming, but it is being developed as a serious performing ensemble. Members will be expected to rehearse consistently, prepare independently, and contribute to high artistic standards.
Will there be an audition?
Applicants may be invited to a supportive audition or vocal-placement session to help determine voice part, readiness, and ensemble balance. Details are communicated directly to applicants.
Where and when will rehearsals take place?
Rehearsals are based in the Los Angeles area and are generally planned approximately twice each month. The first rehearsal and orientation for the 2026–2027 Founding Season is scheduled for August 22, 2026. Detailed rehearsal information is provided directly to members who have completed onboarding.
Are there fees to apply or participate?
There is no fee to submit an application. Any membership fees, music costs, attire expenses, or other participation-related costs, if applicable, will be disclosed in advance. NACAPA is committed to keeping participation as accessible as practicable.
Does submitting an application guarantee acceptance?
No. Submission indicates interest. Placement may depend on availability, scheduling, voice-part balance, ensemble needs, and completion of any required audition, orientation, or vocal-placement process.
Who should I contact with questions?
For NACAPA Choir questions, email choir@nacapa.org. For general NACAPA inquiries, email info@nacapa.org.

Ready to Join the Founding NACAPA Choir?

If the choir sounds like the right fit for you, complete the application below to begin the process.

Already a NACAPA Choir Member?

Access rehearsal information, music, practice materials, announcements, and other member resources through the NACAPA Choir Member Portal.

Member Portal