July 2021 Newsletter
From Our President...
Dear Maryland/DC ACDA Members,

I am excited to begin my term as President of our MD/DC state chapter! Having grown up in Maryland, gone to UMD, and conducted and sung in our region, I have met some of you over the years, but I am looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with you in the months to come!

First, please take 5 minutes to fill out our 2021 MD/DC ACDA MEMBER SURVEY here. We value your feedback as it will help shape our programming for the next two years!

We hope to see you at some of our upcoming events (with more in the works):

In August, we have our annual Voices United Summer Conference (virtual) on August 6-7 and two free Zoom pop-up professional development sessions on 8/14 and 8/21 led by wonderful educators and conductors in our region to jump-start your fall rehearsal planning (more details below.)

We are excited to partner with MCEA (Maryland Choral Educators Association) on Sat. 10/9 for a Fall Reading Session in person at the Center for the Arts in Baltimore. This event will be free for members and we will be collecting donations for students in need to attend MCEA Maryland All-State Choir and ACDA Eastern Region Division Honor Choir in 2022. Join us for a diverse reading session followed by lunch on the garden patio so we can reconnect with each other in person!

We are also planning a Collegiate Music Day in the spring geared toward college music education students and early-career music teachers.

If you are looking for even more professional development as we head into the fall, here is a list of state chapter events that are open to all ACDA members: https://acda.org/conferences/chapter-events

If you have any questions or comments, please email me at mddcchapteracda@gmail.com. I so look forward to seeing you at some of our future events and wish you a recuperative summer and a safe, healthy, and musical fall!
Rachel Carlson
TAKE 5 MINUTES TO FILL OUT OUR 2021 MD/DC ACDA MEMBER SURVEY.
📰 Featured Article 🗞
My Hair is a Garden: Mending the Divide through the Choral Arts
by Gary B. Seighman
Inspired by the celebrated children's book of the same title, My Hair is a Garden is a multimedia project organized by the Trinity University Choirs in San Antonio under the direction of former MD/DC chapter board member Dr. Gary Seighman. As stated in the description, the full-length virtual performance was just one aspect of a semester curriculum focused on learning about racial injustice in our communities and biases within the arts. They collaborated with artists from across the globe including the award-winning author/designer/illustrator, Cozbi A. Cabrera, as narrator. Ms. Cabrera has been featured on outlets including The Oprah Winfrey Show and Martha Stewart Living. Check out the performance by clicking the video above.

Gary B. Seighman is Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. He is a former board member of the MD/DC ACDA chapter as Chair of Youth and Student Activities and was editor of the state newsletter.
Upcoming Events
August 6-7, 2021: Voices United Summer Conference (virtual)
Ways to participate:
  • Register and participate in our live, online sessions (suggested donation of $35 for ACDAmembers and their guests)
  • Register and receive a one-time link to view our live sessions (suggested donation of $35 for ACDA members and their guests)
  • View our pre-recorded asynchronous sessions (FREE and available to all)

State Chapter Conversation:

Plus, be sure to join us for our State Chapter Conversation on Fri. August 6th at 5 pm on
Zoom (after you register for the conference, you will be emailed a Zoom link closer to August.)
Making the Switch: Transitioning from Secondary to Elementary
August 14, 2021, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
On Zoom, free and open to all

For new teachers and teachers transitioning from secondary or instrumental to the elementary choral-general classroom. Presented by Ann DuBose-Li and Ocie S. Banks.

RSVP required for link: https://tinyurl.com/makingtheswitchacda
RESTART. RECOUP. REVIVE
August 21, 2021, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m
On Zoom, Free and open to all
A pop-up professional development session to help us prepare for restarting rehearsals in the fall.

Allan Laiño will present a session on Re-engaging the voice and Rebecca Vanover will present a session on Repertoire and recruitment.

RSVP required for link: https://tinyurl.com/popupacda
SAVE THE DATE!!!
MCEA NEEDS OUR HELP!!!
MCEA and MMEA are in need of judges and volunteers!
If you are interested in serving as a judge or volunteer, please complete the form below.
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If your ACDA membership has lapsed, please take a moment to renew it here:
Maryland/DC ACDA | Website