Your Wednesday Inspiration
June 30, 2021
RELEVANCE
Joint Statement on Vaccinations and Best Health Practices
The National Association of Teachers of Singing Voice Science Advisory Committee, the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Performing Arts Medicine Association, the Pan American Vocology Association, Opera America, and National Collegiate Choral Organization strongly recommend that all singing teachers, choral conductors, collaborative pianists, and singers eligible to receive an FDA authorized vaccine follow CDC guidance and become fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
 
We collectively support public health education efforts at the local, state, and national level that offer accurate information about vaccine efficacy and safety and that encourage all persons to become vaccinated.
 
We recommend that unvaccinated teachers, conductors, collaborative pianists, and singers continue to follow COVID-19 prevention and mitigation practices that have been effective in reducing the spread of the disease in indoor public areas. These include but are not limited to the use of masks, physical distancing, increased ventilation, reduced contact time, regular cleaning of common surfaces, and vigorous hand washing. View statement with citations and source notes.

This statement and other COVID-related resources, including guidance, are available on our page Resources for Choral Professionals During the Pandemic.
Free Choral Music
Now at Last We Sing Again! (comp. by Tom Lough). The Noteable Mask team has shared this free download offering for use in celebrating the return to singing. Additional choral pieces are also listed on the resources page.
From the Composition Initiatives Committee
Are you a composer, or interested in music by living composers? Join the New Choral Music Facebook group, where composers are sharing scores, audio, or video with each other and with choral conductors looking for new music.

#SingNewMusic
Please share this campaign on your social media accounts (find a shareable post on the ACDA Facebook page or on ACDA's Twitter and Instagram feeds) and tag any upcoming or current performances with the hashtag!
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Member Survey
As we turn the page after a challenging year overshadowed by the pandemic, ACDA is eager to hear your thoughts on our progress on a number of fronts. Specifically, we want to know how we measure up in terms of fulfilling our mission and vision, and also what areas of focus you would like to see in ACDA. Please complete this short survey, which will take you just a few minutes. Deadline: July 23.
Dues Changes - Student and Institution Categories
Beginning July 1, Student membership has been reduced to $15 per year and Institution membership raised to $135 per year. Student dues have been lowered from the previous permanent level of $35 to $15 in order to further encourage membership and involvement of this important member category. A reminder that Institution membership is an organization membership, with benefits reflecting that category. Individual members should join as Active member ($125), or as one of the other individual membership categories.
Have You Told Us Your Activity Type?
This is one of the main ways to ensure you receive the kind of information 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!
Have an Innovative Idea for Bringing Children & Youth into Choirs and Singing?
Tomorrow is the deadline for ACDA's Fund for Tomorrow grant applications. We especially encourage project proposals that reach young people who face barriers and may not otherwise have equitable access to the benefits and community that choral music provides. Read more about funding priorities and requirements! Deadline: July 1.
Recording Available!
On Jun. 8, ACDA hosted a free webinar with ideas and resources for middle school and high school choral educators. Moderated by Dr. Jamila McWhirter (chair of ACDA's Education and Communication Committee), featured panelists were Gretchen Grace Harrison, Chris Munce, and Vincent Oakes. Find the recording and links to the handouts on the National Webinars page of the ACDA website.
INSPIRATION
Change is afoot in ACDA's Executive Committee (EC), as terms end and begin today and tomorrow!

  • We wish Tom Shelton many thanks for his leadership and service as his term as ACDA Past President ends today, and he moves into a new phase - no doubt of relaxation and nibbling bon-bons.
  • Edith Copley becomes President-elect as of July 1.
  • David Fryling moves from President-elect to Vice-President tomorrow.
  • Current President, Lynne Gackle, moves into the Past President role, after successfully leading our association through one of the most challenging years our art has experienced. Our deep gratitude, Lynne!
  • André Thomas assumes the role of President of ACDA tomorrow, having served previously as President-elect and Vice-President, and having led an amazing virtual national conference this year. Our future is bright!
  • We are thankful for the continuing service of Tom Merrill as Treasurer/Secretary.

We are grateful to every member of the EC, each of whom has gone above and beyond to keep ACDA relevant to our times and responsive to our membership. You are appreciated!
UPCOMING EVENTS
National Event
Tomorrow! Advocacy: Kick-off to Summer Zoom
Jul. 1, 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
Join Advocacy & Collaboration Committee members for a casual conversation before the holiday weekend. Bring your questions about advocacy and collaboration and they will do their best to answer them! Walk away with ideas and practices you can tap into. Register in advance to join this conversation. Zoom information is included with your registration confirmation email.
State 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. Arizona, Kansas, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Washington, California, Tennessee, and Iowa all have events coming up in July.

To add an official chapter event, ask your president to submit the information here.
Regional Conferences
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.
Having issues renewing your membership?

First, can you log in? Remember, your primary email address is your username. If you are not receiving the reset password email at that address, we may need to update your username manually. Please contact us at membership@acda.org or (405) 232-8161 and ask for help!

Second, can you renew once you log-in? If you are not able to move through the renewal process for some reason, please contact us and ask for a “pro forma invoice.” We will email you a link to simply click on and pay your renewal dues.

Autorenewal Available! If you are an Active member, you may opt-in to autorenewal of your dues the next time you renew your membership.
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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