Join us in an immersive workshop showcasing the brand-new publication The Lavender Scores. This new anthology series explores the choral works of LGBTQIA+ composers. One of the easiest ways we can foster inclusivity in our ensembles is through the works we program. If you have been wanting to find pieces by LGBTQIA+ composers but don’t know where to start, this session is for you! The repertoire has been carefully selected for its accessibility, ensuring ensembles of any experience level will be engaged through varying opportunities for musical growth. This session will include a live read-through of music, as well as information on this new publication and where to find it.
The Lavender Scores: Repertoire from LGBTQIA+ Composers
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Joshua Donaldson
Emporia State University
Joshua Donaldson is director of choral activities at Emporia State University, where he conducts four ensembles and teaches choral conducting and choral methods. Previously he directed choirs at Blue Valley Northwest High School and Council Grove High School/Middle School. Ensembles under his baton perform nationally and internationally; ESU's A Cappella Choir was the featured choir on opening night of the 2025 KMEA Conference. As a clinician, Donaldson works with high school choirs across Kansas. His research centers on creating equitable choral programs and inclusive programming, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and women's contributions to the choral canon. He frequently presents at KMEA, ACDA, and SWACDA conferences. He holds degrees from Pittsburg State University and a DMA from the University of Kansas. Donaldson is a recent Grammy-nominated Music Educator.
Jackson Thomas
Jackson Thomas is a conductor, composer, and tenor, and is the director of choral activities at the University of Central Missouri. He is also the founder/artistic director of KC VITAs, presenting over one hundred world premiere performances since 2015 and a 2025 album release ('when we arrive at home') under NEUMA records. Thomas was recently awarded the Podium Award for "Significant Contributions to the Choral Art" and the Opus Award for "Excellence in Choral Composition" from the Missouri Choral Directors Association. He holds a degree in voice from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and both an MM and DMA in choral conducting from the University of Kansas. His research centers around composer-conductor collaboration, inclusivity, and the pedagogy of minimalist and extended vocal techniques. His compositions are available on MusicSpoke.com or on his website.
