There was a time not so long ago when Sergei Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil was virtually unknown outside of Russia. But an early transliteration of the work and some pivotal recordings helped to catch the attention of Western choral groups and audiences. We interview choral conductor and Russian music expert Alexander Ruggieri, who tells the story of the Vigil's emergence as one of the best-loved choral masterpieces.

To choral singers, Handel's Messiah is as familiar—and as well loved—as their favorite pair of slippers. But what do we really know about this choral masterwork? Harvard music professor and historian Thomas Kelly talks to Chorus America about how this great oratorio came to be and why it captures our hearts like no other piece.

Choral music—especially a cappella choral music—is more popular than ever it seems. Chorus America sat down with Deke Sharon, founder of the Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA) and a producer of NBC's The Sing-Off, to get the inside scoop behind the a cappella choral music movement and its current place in pop culture.

The All-Night Vigil doesn't last all night anymore, but doing what it takes to perform it well certainly can keep conductors and singers up nights. Here are five tips for conquering this masterpiece:

There is perhaps no more fitting metaphor for bridging discord than voices joined in harmony.

"Mò Li Hua" (Jasmine Flower) has been popular since the Qing Dynasty.

So you thought you could count...that is, until you met the 7/8 and 5/4 time signatures. Honestly, why are those meters so troublesome?