Drawing on a diverse and evolving population, the choral culture of the United States reflects the multiplicity of contemporary American society. Whether in worship, protest, recreational, or concert settings, people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and creeds comprise the country's dynamic singing community. According to the 2009 Chorus Impact Study published by Chorus America, more people in the United States are involved in choral singing than in any other performing art. Approximately 22.9 percent of American households have at least one member in a chorus. An estimated 42.6 million singers participate in one or more of 270,000 religious, academic, children's, community, and professional choirs. This abundant choral landscape is enriched by America's diverse population of composers and supported by a variety of service organizations and advocacy groups.

Religious communities

Singing was an important part of religious life in the colonial era, but was largely unorganized. In the eighteenth century, musicians such as composer William Billings (1746–1800) spearheaded the establishment of “singing schools.” These traveling schools, lasting from a few days to several weeks in length, moved from town to town with the aim of improving the quality of congregational singing. Participants learned rudiments of vocal production, solmization, and part-singing. Alumni of the schools established church and community choirs throughout New England and the northeast United States. By the 1780s, organized choirs had become very widespread across New England.