American Choral Directors Association

The mission of ACDA is to inspire excellence and nurture lifelong involvement in choral music for everyone through education, performance, composition and advocacy.

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Interest Session

The Evolving Singing Voice: Adolescence

NATS President Karen Brunssen and Chadley Ballantyne present the latest techniques, vocal acoustics, and more for adolescent singing from Karen Brunssen’s new book, The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Across the Lifespan. Learn Chadley’s cutting-edge “WEIRD” exercise that Continued on next page uses adolescents’ own resonance and articulation to optimize vocal function, aff ects on resonance […]

Kansas City Convention Center Room 2104 AB
Karen Brunssen and Chadley Ballantyne
Gretchen Harrison, National R&R Chair, Youth Choirs



Finding Common Ground: A Panel Discussion on Conflict Transformation through Choral Music

How can music build bridges between communities in divisive times? This panel discussion will feature choral conductors and song leaders who are pursuing justice and reconciliation through choral music by engaging diverse populations of singers in dialogue-based conflict transformation, restorative practices, and creative youth development into the rehearsal and performance process.

Grace Trinity Church
Arianne Abela, Emilie Amrein, Micah Hendler, and André de Quadros
Tom Merrill, National Treasurer



A Conversation with John Rutter

John Rutter is an internationally recognized composer whose composition “Fanfare” will be premiered on the opening night of the 2019 ACDA National Conference. He edits the Oxford Choral Classics series, and he is co-editor of four volumes of Carols foroirs with Sir David Willcocks. In 1983, Rutter formed The Cambridge Singers, with whom he has […]

Grace Trinity Church
Tim Sharp, moderator and presider ACDA National Executive Director



An Introvert on the Podium: The Science and Skill to Embrace Your Introverted Self

Many prominent musicians are introverted. In addition, some dynamic and engaging conductors of our own time are introverted. Despite the important role of the conductor, the little research on personality in choral music has largely focused on the challenges of accommodating multiple personality types within an ensemble. Understanding introversion in conductors is critical because introverts […]

Pittsburgh PA.
Christopher B. Thomas, Sarah Allred



Fix it on the Fly: Improving Conducting for the Busy Choir Director

This session will outline a method for self-guided improvement in conducting while maintaining the busy life of a school choir director. Through lecture, discussion, and audience participation, Joshua Bronfman will demonstrate how this method can be utilized to facilitate ongoing growth in conducting technique and effectiveness.

Oklahoma City OK.
Joshua Bronfman



You Broke Your Promise! Ten Easy Steps to Keep Music Theory in the Choral Classroom

So often teachers promise themselves they will continue to keep music theory a constant part of their classwork, but as concerts approach, this work takes a back seat. In ten easy steps, this session will show you how to keep that practice going and the incredible results that come from it. Participants will learn two-, […]

Pasadena CA.
Christine DeMore