Lubbock Christian University’s (LCU) Best Friends, the university’s premier a cappella ensemble, was selected to perform at the 2026 Southwest Region Conference of the American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA), taking the stage in Albuquerque, NM.

This invitation and performance marks a significant achievement for the group and the university, as selection to perform at the SWACDA conference is one of the highest honors a vocal ensemble can receive in this wide-spread region. SWACDA serves and represents choral directors across Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Ensembles are chosen through a blind peer review process, and applicants must submit recordings spanning three years. These recordings are evaluated by some of the nation’s top conductors.

Dr. Philip Camp, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at LCU, shared, “After hearing many groups at these conferences, I realized that our own Best Friends performs at just as high a level. Last April, I submitted recordings of Best Friends from the last three years, including the 2022-23 performance of Faithful God, the 2023-24 performance of Big God, and this year’s performance of Running Home. I was so pleased to receive a letter from SWACDA President Jonathan Owen inviting us to perform for this year’s SWACDA conference.”

Owen’s letter stated, “On behalf of the Southwestern Region of ACDA, I’m thrilled to inform you that Lubbock Christian University Best Friends has been selected to perform at the 2026 SWACDA Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Your ensemble stood out in a highly competitive field of applicants, and we’re excited to feature your work as part of this exceptional conference experience.”