The Wartburg Choir was named the 2016-17 winner of The American Prize in Choral Performance in the college/university division.

The American Prize is a series of nonprofit national competitions in the performing arts recognizing the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the U.S. at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels. Founded in 2009, The American Prize is administered by Hat City Music Theater Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Danbury, Conn.

“The Wartburg Choir has experienced a tremendous year of achievements, but learning that the choir won The American Prize for Choral Performance ranks as one of the top awards. The prize recognizes the finest ensembles throughout the country, and the adjudication panel consists of highly respected conductors and scholars,” said Lee Nelson, Wartburg Choir director and the Patricia R. Zahn Chair in Choral Conducting. “It is quite humbling to realize that our students have achieved an award of this status in a category filled with so many outstanding college and university ensembles from throughout the country. I couldn’t be more proud of the students, and I am so grateful for my music colleagues at Wartburg who have helped them achieve this award. It is a team effort and we have one of the best in our field.”

In May, the choir toured in Germany, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

This is the second top honor the Wartburg Choir received this year. In March, the choir performed at the National American Choral Directors Association conference in Minneapolis. More than 400 choirs from around the world applied to perform, and only 25 were accepted.