This diverse panel session, moderated by Gregory Gentry, is designed to convey the wisdom and past experiences of a group of noted choral conductor/educators. We will have an in-person discussion with renowned choral pioneers Charlene Archibeque and André Thomas—a discussion that is intended to be educational to the ACDA membership at large—interwoven with impactful quotes from the late Joseph Flummerfelt addressing the performance of the Brahms Requiem honoring 9/11, and the late Peter Bagley demonstrating the integration of artful musical expression within the African American experience. There will be additional interjections of relevant thoughts from the experiences of Maria Guinand, Eph Ehly, Ann Howard Jones and Henry Leck (read by Gregory Gentry). Not only are these choral directors pioneers of diversity, but they are also pioneers of artistry, pioneers of conducting technique, pioneers of music publication and educational innovation. Charlene Archibeque has advocated for fine women choral conductors her entire career, setting the standard by being the first woman granted a Doctor of Musical Arts degree (from the University of Colorado) in the United States. André Thomas has demonstrated his expertise and promoted intellectual understanding of the African American Spiritual throughout his career, with his programming, choral compositions and arrangements, as well as his significant book Way Over in Beulah Lan’: Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual. Discussion points will include musicianship and score preparation, repertoire, finding motivational goals, perseverance, professional growth through a broad range of experiences, as well as reflections from the podium. Building the conversation from details of the careers of Charlene Archibeque and André Thomas will include questions addressing:
- what they did in the past to build their careers of the present
- their programming of the past, alongside diverse programming today
- significant points in their careers that crafted their own choral music making
- growth through a broad range of experiences, with examples of those experiences
- the importance of choral preparation, book knowledge, and the encouraging of students to find their own strengths in music making
- what they hope for the future of choral music
Takeaways from this session will include a better idea of journeys from the past, a holistic concept of diverse programming that can shape the present, and a broader appreciation for legacies in choral music that have paved a path for the future.
