The Choral Contest began in 1926 when President Stephen B. L. Penrose and Conservatory director Howard A. Pratt launched it as an annual singing competition to promote choral performance on campus. Initially, two prizes were awarded: the Howard E. Pratt cup for men's groups and the Gena Branscombe award for women's groups, named to honor Conservatory faculty, funded by an anonymous donor.

Over the years, the event evolved to include mixed-gender and accompanied performances, becoming one of Whitman's most participatory student traditions. Media collected in the Whitman College media collection from 1985 to 1992 include audio and video recordings of Choral Contest performances, demonstrating its cultural importance in campus life.

The Choral Contest records in the Whitman College and Northwest Archives, dated 1926–1977, occupy about 0.25 linear feet and consist of contest programs, correspondence, invitations, invoices, and selected recordings. These materials provide a window into how fraternities, sororities, independent and mixed ensembles performed and competed, reflecting changes in student culture and musical values across decades. The Choral Contest is still held to this day.