October 21, 2020
INSPIRATION
Nine ACDA members are among the 25 semifinalists for the 2021 Music Educator Grammy. Huge congratulations go to the following members for making it to this level of recognition!

  • Pamela Dawson (Texas Choral Directors Association)
  • Brad Drinkwater (New York ACDA)
  • Michelle Folta (Georgia ACDA)
  • Amanda Sprague Hanzlik (Connecticut ACDA)
  • Chris Maunu (Colorado ACDA)
  • Jeffrey Allen Murdock (Arkansas ACDA)
  • Blake Richter (Missouri ACDA)
  • Kimberly Barclay Ritzer (Nevada ACDA)
  • Tracy Williamson (Maine ACDA)

Thank you for the joy you bring to choral students all over the country, and the honor you bring to our art.
On Mentors & Mentoring
Mentors provide ongoing guidance in our professional development. Typically we choose our mentors from among people we already know and admire — people who can help us navigate situations and challenges better than we would alone. Mentors are not always older than we are, but they are wiser in the ways that we need help. For example, Boomers can seek technology mentors from Millennials or Generation Z because the latter know that world. 

Sometimes we do not know how to find a mentor or we are hesitant to approach someone. Early career teachers are often too embarrassed to ask for help, but what an advantage it would be to have a mentor relationship with a veteran teacher. The ACDA Mentoring Program can provide connections between mentees and mentors. Check out the mentoring website to find out more about this service that ACDA provides to our members.

Hilary Apfelstadt, ACDA Interim Executive Director
NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2021

Registration opens Nov. 4!

NEW! The site for the 2021 Diversity in Music ACDA National Conference has been launched. Visit “Conferences” to view information.
 
Highlights:
  • Keynotes: Anton Armstrong, Francisco Nuñez, Alice Parker, Eric Whitacre
  • Student Leadership Academy 2021
  • Brock Commission Workshops with Bob Chilcott
  • Performing Choirs: The King’s Singers, BBC Singers, Formosa Singers, San Diego Women’s Chorus, St. John Church Music Ministry, Vocal Majority
 
Open:
MENTORING
Thanks to the ACDA Mentoring Program, Susan Swerdlow and Sarah Jebian started a mentoring relationship in June 2020. Mentor Susan (left) describes Sarah (right) as “an accomplished singer who found herself in the music directorship at a church but with no conducting training.”

They met several times over the summer so that Susan could help Sarah with score “decoding” and conducting techniques. They continue to make use of videoed conducting sessions Sarah forwards so that Susan can provide help and suggestions.

Sarah reports, “It’s going great! I’m so, so grateful that I found Susan. She’s such a wonderful teacher and she’s already helped me so much. I feel more confident in my conducting and she’s just a wonderful human being. I love our time together.” Susan agrees, adding, “Her conducting is gradually becoming more economical. I’m loving working with her.”
A mentoring session is currently open. Visit mentoring.acda.org to submit your application and search for a mentor.
STATE & OTHER VIRTUAL EVENTS
Chapter virtual conferences and webinars open to members in other states:


State presidents: submit your event here to be included in this list!
Other events:
  • Oct. 24, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. CT - The Church Music Institute's Choral Music for Upcoming Seasons. Explore fresh choral repertoire and programming ideas for the upcoming liturgical seasons with Dr. Don Horisberger, former associate conductor for the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Participants receive review copies of discussed music. Registration: $10. Click here for more information and to register.
RELEVANCE
Complimentary Music from Contemporary ACDA Composers
We are grateful to our ACDA composers who have gifted the following pieces for our members' use during the COVID-19 pandemic. New this week:


See the complete list on the Resources for Choral Professionals page.

ACDA member composers: Do you have a piece of choral music you composed that you would like to share with choral conductors and singers as a gift during these difficult times? Please email a PDF score along with a shareable web link for the piece to CompositionCommittee@acda.org.
We invite you to check this page regularly for added resources. We have reformatted the listing to make it easier for you to locate information!
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
ACDA Diversity Audit and Survey
Have you completed the ACDA survey on access, diversity, equity & inclusion yet? Deadline: Oct. 30.

The Executive Committee is working with Dr. Antonio C. Cuyler to conduct a diversity audit of ACDA. We request your feedback on where our organization is in terms of diversity and inclusion, and your ideas for moving forward in this area. Click here to go to the survey.
ADVOCACY
Sign up to Be an ACDA Choral Advocate!
We have always needed to speak up for arts funding and strong choral programs. Now, it is even more urgent. Visit our Choral Advocates microsite and sign up to add your voice.
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American Choral Directors Association | 405.232.8161 | membership@acda.org | www.acda.org | PO Box 1705, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1705