International Conductors Exchange Program

SELECTION CRITERIA – EMERGING CONDUCTOR

The ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program Review Committee is charged with the selection of emerging leaders of the choral profession. The ICEP Review Committee has developed the following list of criteria.

1. Is a current member of ACDA
2. Is an active choral conductor in a professional (remunerative) position
3. Has completed at least a master’s degree
4. Leads choirs with a demonstrated a level of excellence
5. Exhibits a high level of human understanding, tact, and cross-cultural sensitivity
6. Has a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 20 years as full-time in the profession

Candidates may reflect a wide diversity of interests and accomplishments (church/synagogue, community choir, primary, secondary and higher education, et al.). 

In 2024, six American and six Filipino conductors will be selected to participate in a bilateral, mutual exchange to take place in 2025. Conductors will be paired based on backgrounds and interests, and will visit each other’s choral communities, sharing techniques, and learning best practices.

Residencies for our conductors will be centered around our 2025 ACDA National Conference (March 18-21, 2025). In National years, the US conductors host their counterparts in their regions, just as in region years. The ACDA will cover the one way transportation of the visiting conductor, either to or from Dallas, depending on whether the region visit takes place before or after the National conference. Each pair decides with each other what the schedule should be for the region visit. Typical residencies are 9-10 days (inclusive of travel).

US conductors’ residency in the Philippines will be October 17-27, 2025, with region visits October 18-21, the Philippines Choral Directors Association National Conference Oct. 22-26, and travel days Oct. 17 and Oct. 27.

American conductors host visiting Filipino counterparts in their local regions for approximately 3-5 days either prior to, or following the National conference in their Region and attend National conference with their guest. American hosts are expected to create a schedule of activities for their guest. Typical activities include leading rehearsals, giving workshops, teaching classes, participating in music for faith communities, rehearsal and concert observations, and in some cases leading concerts or portions of concerts. Itineraries that reach a broad community and multiple organizations are encouraged.

As on the U.S. side, local activities in the Philippines will be arranged by the hosts, and will vary with each location, depending on local circumstances, and the interests of each conductor.

American conductors going abroad are responsible for their own travel to and from the Philippines. You will be hosted while in country. Similarly, visiting conductors are responsible for their own travel to the United States. ACDA hosts the visiting guests at the National conference, and also provides for their lodging, food, and travel to or from the region they are visiting before or after the conference. 

American participants selected for the program are expected to host the visiting Filipino conductor during their visit (typically 3-5 days). Hosting means providing housing (homestays or hotel), meals, and local transport as necessary for the planned activities.  

Additionally, US participants commit to attending the National conference at their own expense.

SELECTION CRITERIA – EMERGING CONDUCTOR
The ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program Review Committee is charged with the selection of emerging leaders of the choral profession, who 1) have not had significant international conducting experience, and 2) reflect a high level of excellence, as well as a wide diversity of interests. The ICEP Review Committee has developed the following list of criteria.

1. Is a current member of ACDA;
2. Is an active choral conductor in a professional (remunerative) position;
3. Has completed at least a master’s degree;
4. Leads choirs with a demonstrated level of excellence;
5. Exhibits a high level of human understanding, tact, and cross-cultural sensitivity;
6. Has completed a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 20 years as full time in the profession.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
The delegation should reflect a wide diversity of interests and accomplishments. The ICEP Review Committee will therefore consider conductors from diverse professional backgrounds (high school, community, elementary, higher education, communities of faith, etc.)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

1.  Statement of Purpose (PDF document)
Please address your qualifications and desire to participate in ICEP. Because ICEP is a reciprocal exchange, ICEP fellows from the United States will also host their international counterparts. In your statement of purpose, please share your vision of how you might structure an experience for a visiting conductor to benefit your wider choral community. In addition, please share how your experience in the guest country might impact your future work and how you plan to continue to foster the relationships built.

2. Curriculum Vitae (PDF document)

3. Two Letters of Recommendation (PDF documents)

4. Video Submission. See guidelines below

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VIDEO GUIDELINES

REPERTOIRE
1. Two selections from different periods.
2. Selections should represent two different languages.
3. Selections should be in contrasting tempo and style.

REHEARSAL
1. The applicant should rehearse the choir in such a way as to focus on gestural communication, rehearsal technique, and the development of the musical product.
2. The ICEP Review Committee will place primary value on gestural language, and an efficient rehearsal technique that displays a positive, inclusive and collaborative atmosphere with singers.
3. The ICEP Review Committee will also place value on mastery of interpretation and effective communication.

CAMERA ANGLE
1. The camera angle will show a full frontal view of the applicant and all conducting movements.
2. The choral sound and comments of the applicant must be clearly audible on the video recording.
3. The applicant will begin each selection by announcing the title and composer of the work to be presented.

FORMAT & DURATION
1. The video recording will not be edited in any manner except to edit the beginning and/or ending of the clip to adhere to the required length, as well as allowing for the inclusion of more than one choir under the applicant’s direction.
2. The video recording will show the applicant conducting and rehearsing for a minimum of twelve minutes and a maximum of fifteen minutes.
3. The time should be divided equally between the two selections.

Please fill out the following form and upload your supporting documents by May 31, 2024. If you have any questions, please email .