Thomas Carlyle said, “All deep things are song.  It seems somehow the very central essence of us, song; as if all the rest were but wrappages and hulls!”

We are blessed!  Blessed not only by our friends and family but blessed by those choral musicians we relate to in every rehearsal, performance and worship service!

In late June, many of you attended our TN-ACDA Summer Conference hosted by our friend and Webmaster Vic Oakes at Baylor School in Chattanooga.  Rodney Eichenberger, our headliner clinician, did a wonderful job on Saturday and everyone seemed to enjoy the convenience of shopping and browsing in music, books and accessories provided by The Musical Source.  Jeffery Ames (Belmont University) and Vic Oakes (Chattanooga Boys Choir) presented excellent Friday sessions and the lovely evening performance was by the Chattanooga Bach Society conducted by David Long.

Regardless of the variety of experience and diversity of choral musicians attending such a conference, I am always amazed that we continue to be blessed by the enthusiasm of the clinicians in our own specialty areas.  Sometimes at my “age” I need reminded of what I already know.  Often I will find myself exclaiming, “I used to do that back in 19?? !” Regardless of whether the clinician is presenting new material or reviewing old strategies, we attend conferences seeking growth and knowledge in choral music.

No person better embodies the spirit of the American Choral Directors Association than Dr. David Stuzenberger, the recipient of the 2009 TN-ACDA Lifetime Achievement  Award.  David’s model of a lifetime of service and scholarship in choral music should inspire us all to higher ideals.

Please join me in thanks and appreciation to Angela Tipps for her fine leadership in her term of office as TN-ACDA President, 2007-2009.  Angela left some huge shoes to fill and I am humbled as I begin to serve TN-ACDA in this capacity.

As you progress through the remainder of 2009, please share your ideas and suggestions with the Executive Board.  We need your expertise in preparing for our summer conferences as well as volunteers to coordinate TN-ACDA activities in all parts of our state.  Memphis is the site of the ACDA Southern Division Conference, so I am sure our Division Officers will need the help of the Tennesseans! We have been referred to as “the three states of Tennessee.”  This is probably an accurate description, but never in the history of our organization (thanks to technology) has it been more possible to stay involved and current in professional organizations regardless of physical distance! 

Invite your choral musician colleagues to join ACDA and those whose memberships have lapsed to come back into the fold!  It’s time for us all to do our part!

Bless you all,

Kathy May