Intentional choral partnerships can strengthen collaborative learning and promote lifelong singing. Despite their potential, partnerships are difficult to implement and sustain due to limited funding, unstable policy structures, and institutional misalignment. Successful partnerships depend on consistent personnel, substantial time for successful implementation, and the abilty to navigate institutional barriers. In this interactive session, participants will reflect on the needs in their choral community, and the presenters will share research-based strategies for implementing and sustaining partnerships that support diverse choral communities across the lifespan. Conductors will leave with practical resources to implement and sustain partnerships in communities, including planning timelines, communication templates, purpose statements, learning objectives, reflection tools, and case profiles of successful partnerships.
Shared Voices, Shared Futures: Creating Sustainable Choral Partnerships
Emily Mercado
Emily Mercado, PhD, is an associate professor of choral music education and the Music Education Area head at The University of Utah. Mercado is an active conductor, and her research has appeared in leading journals including Research Studies in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and The British Journal of Music Education. Mercado served as ACDA-UT president and is involved in developing community partnerships with schools. Mercado received a PhD in music education from Louisiana State University, a master's in teaching degree from Oregon State University, and a bachelor's from Oregon State University. Prior to joining the faculty at The University of Utah, Mercado taught choir for nine years at Crescent Valley High School and Cheldelin Middle School in Corvallis, OR.
Jason Bowers
Jason Bowers is instructor of music education and assistant director of the School of Music at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including Principles of Teaching Secondary Choral Music, Teaching Music in Diverse Settings, Vocal Techniques for Instrumentalists, and Choral Techniques for Vocalists. He has cultivated community partnerships with the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School, Southdowns Pre-K Center, St. Joseph's Academy, and University Laboratory School. Bowers has performed with various professional choirs in the Baton Rouge area, including BRACE New Music Choir, De Profundis, and Red Shift. He directs the First United Methodist Church K-2 and 3-5 grade Children's Choirs and performs with the handbell ensemble, Woodland Ringers.
