Dr. Anton Armstrong has been named the 2027 Robert Shaw Choral Award Honoree. The Robert Shaw Choral Award is given to a choral leader who has made exceptional contributions to the art of choral music. The recipient is chosen by the ACDA Past Presidents Advisory Council. The Robert Shaw Choral Award is presented during each national conference.
The following criteria for selection were approved by the Past Presidents Advisory Council in November 1990.
- The recipient should be a member of ACDA (though there may be exceptions).
- The recipient should be someone whose primary career is/was in the United States.
- The recipient has made a significant contribution to the cause of the choral art in America.
- Such contributions made may have been through teaching, conducting, or leadership.
The Robert Shaw Award Reception will be held on Monday, March 8 from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Orchestra Hall-Target Atrium. Tickets to the reception are $100.00 and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets.
Tickets to the reception can be purchased at the time you are registering for the conference.
Already registered for the conference and want to add a ticket to the reception? Click here and log in. Select “Manage Registration” and then click the three dots next to your registration to drop down a menu and select purchase new sessions. Need help? Email us at and our team will be happy to assist you.
Meet Dr. Anton Armstrong
Dr. Anton Armstrong is an internationally recognized choral conductor, educator, and clinician whose career has made a lasting impact on choral music and music education. The 2026–27 season marks his thirty-seventh year as conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, making him the longest-tenured conductor in the ensemble’s 115-year history. He is the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, where he became the fourth conductor of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990.
Prior to his appointment at St. Olaf College, Dr. Armstrong spent ten years in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he served on the faculty of Calvin University and directed the Calvin Alumni Choir, Calvin Campus Choir, Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, and St. Cecilia Youth Chorale. He also serves as artistic director of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, an annual musical tradition featuring more than 500 student musicians from five St. Olaf choral ensembles and the St. Olaf Orchestra.
A graduate of St. Olaf College, Dr. Armstrong earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University. His contributions to choral literature include serving as editor of a multicultural choral series for Earthsong Publications and the St. Olaf Choral Series for Augsburg Fortress Publishers. He also established the Anton Armstrong Signature Choral Series with Gentry Publications.
Throughout his career, Dr. Armstrong has been a sought-after guest conductor and clinician, appearing at regional, national, and international conferences of choral musicians. He has served as an all-state conductor in more than forty-three states, frequently returning to lead ensembles in multiple states. His longstanding involvement with ACDA includes conducting the 1993 National ACDA Junior High/Middle School Honor Choir, the 1997 ACDA National Children’s Honor Choir, and the first National ACDA Multicultural Honor Choir in 2001 alongside María Guinand.
Under Dr. Armstrong’s leadership, the St. Olaf Choir has appeared at the 1999 and 2005 ACDA National Conferences. In 2017, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival was invited to present two major performances at the ACDA National Conference at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. This year, the St. Olaf Choir will appear at the 2027 National Conference on Sunday, March 7 at 8 PM in the Welcome to Minneapolis Concert.
Dr. Armstrong’s conducting career extends well beyond the United States. In 2001, he served as conductor of the World Youth Choir, leading performances in Venezuela and the United States. His guest conducting engagements have included the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, Houston Chamber Choir, Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, Phoenix Chorale, American Boychoir, and Westminster Symphonic Choir. Internationally, he has conducted the Formosa Singers in Taiwan, Ansan City Choir and Anyang Civic Chorale in South Korea, and Indonesia Youth Choir in Bali, Indonesia.
In June 1998, Dr. Armstrong became the founding conductor of the Oregon Bach Festival Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy, further extending his commitment to the development of young choral musicians. His professional leadership also includes service as past chair of the National Board of Chorus America and membership on the National Board of The Choristers Guild.
Through decades of conducting, teaching, mentorship, and service, Dr. Armstrong has helped shape generations of choral musicians and educators. His contributions to the choral profession reflect the artistic excellence, educational leadership, and dedication to the choral art recognized by the Robert Shaw Choral Award.
The first Robert Shaw Choral Award was given in 1991 to Charles C. Hirt. To learn more about all of the Robert Shaw Award Choral Award Honorees, CLICK HERE.
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