Your Wednesday Inspiration
July 21, 2021
Just Two More Days to Respond to the Member Survey!
As we turn the page after a challenging year, ACDA is eager to hear your thoughts on our progress on a number of fronts. How do we measure up in terms of fulfilling our mission and vision? Where would you like to see ACDA focus as we move forward?

We're nearing the last days to share your thoughts with us. Please click here now to go to the survey. Deadline: July 23.
RELEVANCE
Updated Guidelines from the International Performing Arts Aerosol Study Coalition
On July 16, the research team from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Maryland posted updated mitigation guidelines with an eye toward fall 2021 activities (edited here to focus on choral activities - read the full update here):

As the United States continues the process of moving to post-pandemic conditions, questions about music activity abound. Many questions still exist for the fall and the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Although the United States is reaching a higher level of vaccinated adults, the vaccination rates for those ages 12-17 remains low. Importance will need to be placed on local and state respiratory disease transmission rates for use of mitigations. Depending on developments with respect to variants such as the Delta variant and other potential risk factor enhancements, these suggestions are meant to provide some best practices as we move out of the pandemic.
 
Outdoors: Outdoors remains the safest space. No mitigations needed depending on the level of local and state transmission rates.
 
Indoors: Indoor environments vary greatly.

  • Masks. Masking with appropriate material* remains the best way of reducing potential infected aerosol from circulating in an indoor space. Masks are recommended be worn while singing and speaking. . . .

  • Rehearsal Times. In spaces with good ventilation rates and HEPA filtration, increased indoor rehearsal times of 50 minutes may be considered. A minimum of 3 air exchanges per hour should be used; if there are spaces with higher air change rates, you may consider longer rehearsal times.

  • Physical Distancing. Distancing may be decreased to 3 feet, adjusting farther or closer depending on local conditions.

  • Hygiene. Continue good hygiene practice moving forward. . . .

  • Face Shields and Partitions. Plastic face shields only stop large droplets, not aerosol; room dividers inhibit the function of the HVAC system and are not recommended.
 
Please refer to the Association for Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidance on ventilation during COVID-19: https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/resources. For more information on aerosol in performing arts activities please click here.
 
*Material should consist of MERV13 material or ASTM F2100 (or similar) standard.
The latest results of, and guidance from, our sponsored research studies on COVID-19 and choral singing are posted on this resource page, as well as free choral music from ACDA composers and other resources. Check the page regularly for updates.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Have You Told Us Your Activity Type?
This is one of the main ways to ensure you receive the kind of information from ACDA that is most important to you. To verify, change, or add, sign in at acda.org and click Member Profile. Click on Change if you see a blank space next to Primary Activity Type - and don't forget to click Save once you enter the information. Remember, you can now select Composer as a Primary or Secondary Activity Type!
Please Give Generously to the ONE ACDA Fund
We invite you to participate in our national campaign to help ACDA bridge the gap between pre-pandemic and post-pandemic times. We are grateful for the donors to our ONE ACDA Fund and are proud to recognize them on the ACDA website here.
You can also support this effort by purchasing from the following Industry member:

  • Noteable Mask will contribute $2 for every individual/single Noteable Mask sold to ACDA members through August 15, 2021. Learn more and order.
UPCOMING EVENTS
State Chapter Events
Visit our State Chapter Events page for a comprehensive list of events that are open to all ACDA members. Each listing indicates whether it is virtual, hybrid, or in person. Ten states have events coming up in July and August. Following are a few in the next few weeks.

  • Jul. 20-23 – Missouri ACDA’s Conference Choral Music: Upside Down. In Springfield, MO. Registration: rates vary by membership type. Learn more. – IN PERSON
  • Jul. 21-23 – Washington ACDA’s Summer Institute. Registration: $15. Learn more. – VIRTUAL
  • Jul. 22-24 – Texas Choral Directors Association’s Summer Convention. Registration: rates vary by membership type. Learn more. – HYBRID
  • Jul. 26-27 – California Choral Directors Association’s Summer Choral Summit. Registration: $30. Students free. Learn more. – VIRTUAL
  • Jul. 27 – Tennessee ACDA’s Re-Entry: Finding Our Way Back Together! In Murfreesboro, TN, with online options. A one-day conference addressing the upcoming return to the choral rehearsal room – where we’ve been, what the most current recommendations are, and where we’re going. Registration: $60 in person; $40 online only. Learn more. – HYBRID
  • Jul. 28-29 – Iowa Choral Directors Association’s Music Heals 2021 Summer Symposium. In Pella, IA, with online options. Join in person or register for the virtual option for live video. Registration: rates vary by membership category. Learn more. – HYBRID

To add an official chapter event to our calendar, ask your president to submit the information here.
Regional Conferences and Seminars

  • Aug. 2 – ACDA Eastern Region’s Institute for Composer Diversity Seminar. Explore, utilize, and contribute to a new resource that is helping choirs to diversify their repertoire. Free. Learn more. – VIRTUAL

To add an official ACDA region event to our calendar, ask your president to submit the information here.

Check the region conferences page for dates and locations of the 2022 conferences, as well as to find links to each region's conference information.
Need assistance?

Please contact us at membership@acda.org or (405) 232-8161 and ask for help!

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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