Conference Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When are ACDA Conferences held?
A. ACDA National Conferences occur in February or March of odd years while the seven regional division conferences take place in even number years.

Q. What happens at ACDA Conferences?
A. ACDA conferences have something for every choral director and student! ACDA conferences feature concert performances by auditioned and invited choirs; honor choir rehearsals and performances; interest sessions presented by noted choral leaders; choral music reading sessions; R&S roundtable discussions; a music industry exhibit hall; time for networking with colleagues, and much more.

Q. Who can register for ACDA conference?
A. Anyone can register for ACDA conferences. ACDA membership is required for all choral directors and choral students. Those who are not ACDA members must establish membership or register as a guest of ACDA member attending the conference. ACDA members are allowed to register up to two paying guests for the conference. This means you can bring your spouse, partner, family member, friend, or a non-choral director with you to the conference.
Q. Do I have to register for the conference being held in the division in which I live?
A. No! You are welcome to register for any of the seven division conference no matter where you live. You can even register for more than one division conference in a year. We will mail you information about your division's conference. Information about all available conferences is available on the conference section of our web site.

Q. When can I register for the confernce?
A. Registration typically opens for ACDA national and division conferences in the fall and continues until the start of the conference. Those who register before a specific postmark date (typically 5-6 weeks before the conference) will qualify to register at a lower fee. Registration continues after the postmark deadline at a higher fee. It is also possible to register on-site at ACDA conference.

Q. Where can I locate conference information?

A. The best place to find current information about ACDA national and division conferences is on the conference section of our web site. Information is also published in the Choral Journal and in division newsletters. Registration information is always mailed to current ACDA members in the late summer or early fall prior to the conference. Make sure your membership is current so you don’t miss out on this important information!

Q. How do I apply for my choir to perform?
A. Choir directors conducting their ensembles at ACDA conferences must be current members of ACDA and undergo a blind audition. Audition requirements are such that the conductor has been in his/her current post for at least three consecutive years and has a representative recording of the ensemble from each of those years. Directors must complete the application form, submit a proposed concert program for the conference, pay a non-refundable application fee, and send a recording. Show choirs are also required to submit a video recording of their ensemble. After the audition committee has reviewed the applications, applicants are notified of the results. 

Q. When are choral auditions held?
A. Applications for Choral Performance at ACDA National and Division conferences are generally due about one year before the conference - typically in April of the year preceding the conference. Application forms are made available a few months before the application deadline – typically in the fall. Thus applications for Choral Performance for the 2009 ACDA National Conference in Oklahoma City will be available in the fall of 2007 and the application deadline will be spring 2008. 

National conference applications are printed in the Choral Journal and available on the conference section of our web site.

Division conference applications are printed in the division’s newsletter and available conference section of our web site.

Q. What is an interest session?
A. An interest session is a lecture or interactive style session where a presenter speaks on a specific topic related to choral music. These sessions maybe include practical workshops on choral conducting techniques, music history, or performance practice. They might also include a demonstration by a choir to help illuminate the topic.

Q. Does an interest session demonstration choir need to apply to sing in a session?

A. Yes. All choirs appearing at an ACDA National or Division conference must submit an application for choral performance and undergo the regular audition process – regardless of the capacity in which they are serving.

Q. How can I apply to present an interest session?

A. Those wishing to present an interest session at an ACDA conference must be current members of ACDA and submit a proposal for consideration. The presenter will submit an application and a brief written description or abstract of the topic to be presented. The presenter may also wish to submit supporting materials such as handouts. After the conference committee has reviewed the applications, applicants are notified of the results.

Q. When are interest session proposals accepted?
A. Interest Session proposals for ACDA National and Division conferences are generally due about one year before the conference - typically in February of the year preceding the conference. Application forms are made available a few months before the application deadline – typically in the fall. Thus session proposals for the 2009 ACDA National Conference in Oklahoma City will be available in the fall of 2007 and the application deadline will be spring 2008. National conference applications are printed in the Choral Journal and available conference section of our web site. 

Division conference applications are printed in the division’s newsletter and available conference section of our web site.

Q. What is a reading session?
A. A reading session is a session in which music is read or sung by the conference attendees. Reading sessions are designed to expose choral directors to new choral literature or standard repertoire. Sessions generally focus on the music for a particular R&S Committee (i.e. High School Choirs or Women’s Choirs etc.). A packet or booklet of music is provided to those in attendance at the session. R&S officers conduct the attendees with the assistance of an accompanist.

Q. What is R&S?
A. “R&S” stands for “Repertoire and Standards.” There are fourteen Repertoire and Standards Committees, each dedicated to a particular type of choral music. The R&S Committees are active at the state, division, and national level of the association. Click here for a complete list of R&S Committees.

Q. What is an R&S Roundtable?
A. R&S Roundtables are discussion forums focused on a particular R&S Committee such as Male Choirs or Youth and Student Activities. Although typically roundtables are informal discussion periods, they may be based on a specific topic or theme and feature a speaker of panel. Most roundtable sessions are highly interactive.

Q. What is an honor choir?
A. An honor choir is an auditioned ensemble that includes choral singers from around the country or division. Similar to All-State choirs, singers apply to perform by submitting a written application and an audition recording for consideration. Singers selected to participate are required to learn the music before the conference. All of the singers come together during the conference for rehearsal with a nationally recognized choral director and professional accompanist. The honor choirs each present a concert performance for the conference attendees and parents at the end of the conference.

Q. What is in the exhibit hall?
A. The ACDA conference exhibit hall is a trade show of musical companies and includes music publishers, tour companies, music retailers, apparel companies and much more! The exhibit hall is centrally located and often includes food for purchase and performances by choirs singing at the conference. It is the ideal place to run into colleagues and old friends while you are at the conference.

Q. I have more questions about ACDA Conferences.

A. Contact the ACDA Division Liaison.