Camerata Appalachia was established in 1985 by Dr. Larry Parsons of West Virginia Wesleyan College, Dr. R. D. Ward of Randolph Macon College in Virginia, Dr. G. Edward Bruner, of the Los Angeles Collegium Musicum and the late Dr. Gordon Brock of Randolph Macon College. Established to provide a comprehensive experience in choral singing and humanities, each bi-annual trip offers two weeks of performances in various historical venues (St. Martin-in-the-Fields and St. Bride's Church in London; Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow) and numerous planned events such as performances at Queen Elizabeth Hall and by the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. Travel plans include stops at cathedrals and castles along the way, whether the ensemble is in the British Isles, Austria or Italy. 

Over 350 singers have joined Camerata Appalachia for its singing and humanities experiences. Most of the singers come from the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. Ranging in age from 16 to 66, few of the choir members are professional musicians, but rather are students, engineers, teachers, sociologists, computer programmers, insurance agents, retired persona and accountants. The choir's repertoire includes primarily American music, particularly spirituals, hymns and folk songs, for this international experience is an opportunity to champion the music of our own country. The love of singing which brings this group together and takes them abroad helps to make this hopefully not a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but a first-in-a-lifelong interest in music, arts, architecture and the culture of our European neighbors.