August 19, 2020
NEWS
The ACDA 2021 National Conference Goes Virtual!
To ensure that we keep members and choirs safe, ACDA has determined that a pivot from the traditional onsite ACDA national conference to a virtual one is necessary during this time of COVID-19. While we will miss the joys of being physically together, we are excited about the new opportunities this change will offer:

  • More members can attend, since travel costs will be eliminated and participation can be more flexible.
  • There will be no need to "miss" any sessions members want to watch, since they will be recorded and can be viewed later.
  • The doors are open to have some exciting speakers and headliners who can join us virtually but who wouldn't be available for an in-person conference.

Details on the conference are currently being worked out. Unfortunately, we very much regret that because of the situation, national Honor Choirs have been cancelled.

We will keep the ACDA membership posted as we finalize the various aspects of this re-envisioned national conference. Please check the national conference page for up-to-date information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Important Message from Tim Sharp
INSPIRATION

I believe one of the most powerful forces at work in the world is an idea. When I think of the belief systems or courses of action that have been truly game-changing or even world-changing, those movements or theories are embodied in a single idea. More often than not, the genome of a movement is a simple and beautifully stated single idea. . . .

[ACDA’s] signature events are our national and regional conferences. A feature of these four-day annual events is our offering of interest sessions in areas that cover the interest spread of our diverse membership. Our attendees come to this event looking for those ideas that can move us forward and upward in our pursuit of excellence. The common complaint I hear from our conferences, year after year, is “I can’t get to everything.” We all seem to have an insatiable appetite for those motivational new ideas, and we don’t want to miss a single one.

As we head into conference season, we are preparing for our very first national virtual conference in response to the current COVID-19 environment. All of us have been making this shift to online and distance learning, and now the American Choral Directors Association will move into this educational and performance space with our biennial conference. We are excited to continue the planning that will bring an explosion of new and motivating ideas into our thinking. And the good news is this year, for the first time in our recent history, we won’t have to have that feeling of “I can’t get to everything,” because, indeed we will be able to get to everything! Let’s look forward to one of the most innovative educational events of our lifetime. Read full post.

Tim Sharp, ACDA Executive Director
RELEVANCE

Interested in the statements ACDA has issued and signed onto? the scientific research we are helping to sponsor? Take a look at our new Advocacy page.
My Choral Coach is a simple guided practice and choral management system that will keep choirs engaged and reaching their goals during this time of physical distancing and isolation. The cost is $50 for access, and free for all choral singers in your choirs through December. Learn more.
STATE & OTHER ONLINE EVENTS

There continue to be some professional development opportunities offered by state chapters and regions, and open to all members. You are invited to attend one or all!

VIrtual Conferences & Workshops
PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITY

Whether you have used the ACDA mobile app or not, we'd appreciate your feedback on the reasons and your experience, if applicable. Complete the quick app survey!
If you haven't already downloaded the app, here are the links to follow: here for the iPhone/iOS app and here for the Android app. Already a user? Update the app and log-in again. Hint: Your log-in information is the same on the app as it is on https://acda.org!
This email is a weekly Wednesday communication we are sending - for a time - to share resources and lift up our members during this challenging period.
Wish to unsubscribe to this Wednesday email?
Sign-in at https://acda.org, go to your profile, scroll to your communications preferences, and de-select "Weekly Inspiration." Or, reply with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line and we'll manually remove you from this Wednesday email.
American Choral Directors Association | 405.232.8161 | membership@acda.org | www.acda.org | 545 Couch Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73102-2207