Silver Chord Bowl
Photos: Paul Griffin
The Silver Chord Bowl: A Valley Tradition
The human voice takes center stage. Every winter, the Northampton Arts Council presents the Silver Chord Bowl, our city’s premier a cappella showcase. As the oldest and most respected event of its kind in the region, the Silver Chord Bowl celebrates the incredible vocal artistry of the Northeast’s most talented collegiate groups.
Tradition Meets Modernity
What began as a local competition has evolved into a legendary invitational showcase. Each year, we bring a broad expanse of talented singers to one stage, blending historic prestige with modern flair. Traditionally hosted by the Mayor of Northampton and the President of Smith College, this event serves as the high-energy kickoff to the Four Sundays Arts Festival.
The Experience
Held in the historic Academy of Music Theatre in Downtown Northampton, the Silver Chord Bowl regularly draws a sold-out audience. Attendees are treated to an afternoon of creative interpretations of favorite songs, spanning genres, eras, and regions.
The stage has historically featured elite groups from across the Northeast, including:
Ivy League Standouts: Dartmouth, Yale, and Harvard.
Regional Powerhouses: M.I.T., N.Y.U., and Boston College.
Local Favorites: Smith College, Amherst College, UMass Amherst, and the award-winning Northampton High School Northamptones.
A Community Celebration
This foot-tapping, lively musical event is designed to get the community up and dancing, even during the coldest time of the year. Beyond the music, the Silver Chord Bowl is a mission-driven event—produced by Northampton Arts Inc., with proceeds supporting vital arts enrichment activities throughout our city.
Join us in celebrating this historic event and witness the creative and musical muscles of the next generation of vocal talent.
Quick Facts
Venue: Academy of Music Theatre
Format: Invitational Showcase (Non-competitive)
Audience: All Ages
Part of: Four Sundays Arts Festival
The 43rd Annual Silver Chord Bowl
The Northeast’s premier collegiate a cappella showcase kicks off the Four Sundays Arts Festival!
Event At A Glance
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2027
Time: 2:00 PM (Doors open at 1:30 PM)
NEW Venue: The Academy of Music Theatre
Location: 274 Main St, Northampton, MA 01060
Format: Invitational Showcase (Non-competitive)
Hosted By: The Mayor of Northampton & The President of Smith College
About the Event
A Valley Tradition Meets a Historic New Stage
For over four decades, the human voice has taken center stage at the Silver Chord Bowl—the oldest and most respected collegiate a cappella showcase in the Northeast.
Each winter, the Northampton Arts Council brings together an elite lineup of regional vocal talent, from local high school stars to powerhouse collegiate groups representing top universities across New England and New York.
For our 43rd milestone year, we are excited to usher in a new era by moving the performance to Northampton’s historic Academy of Music Theatre!
Whether you're a lifelong fan of vocal harmonies or experiencing a cappella for the first time, join us for an afternoon of creative arrangements, unforgettable solo performances, and high-energy music guaranteed to warm up your winter.
Performers & Groups: Apply for 2027!
Are you part of a collegiate or regional a cappella group? We want to see you on stage at the historic Academy of Music Theatre!
Application Deadline: Monday, December 7, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
What to Submit: Current academic year performance or rehearsal video footage.
Judging Focus: We evaluate groups on vocal arrangements, pitch, performance energy, and featured soloists—not video production quality. Phone recordings from rehearsals are completely welcome!
👉 [Apply to Perform at the 2027 Silver Chord Bowl]
Ticket & Box Office Information
Check back! They will be on sale soon.
Community & Impact
The Silver Chord Bowl is produced by Northampton Arts Inc. in partnership with Smith College and the City of Northampton. Proceeds directly support local arts enrichment programs, grants, and public cultural initiatives across Northampton, Florence, and Leeds.
Contact & Inquiries:
📧 Email: arts@northamptonma.gov / nohoartscouncil@gmail.com
📍 Office: Northampton Arts Council, 240 Main St, Memorial Hall #1, Northampton, MA 01060
Our Supporters
This event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors:
Headline Sponsor: Smith College
Media Partners: WRSI 93.9 FM The River, WHMP, Daily Hampshire Gazette, The Republican, New England Public Media, and Northampton Open Media.
Organizational Support: Greenfield Savings Bank, Massachusetts Cultural Council, City of Northampton, and Northampton Arts Inc., Monadnock Community Investments