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.

You are here: Home / Archives for Musical Advocacy

Musical Advocacy

For Everyone Born, A Place in the Choir

An issue that crosses all cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds is that of sexual orientation. With bullying in schools, LGBT teens committing suicide, and new political shifts associated with gay rights, it is important for choral educators to realize their parts in establishing a safe and nurturing learning environment. Our role as music educators lends […]

Des Moines IA.
Christopher Larson



Alzheimer’s Stories: Music and Memory

Composer Robert S. Cohen and Librettist Herschel Garfein explore the creation of “Alzheimer’s Stories,” published by C.F. Peters, which is a featured work at the 2019 ACDA National Conference. The session will explore the collaborative process that led to the creation of the work and how music has been shown to help restore memory in […]

Kansas City MO.
Robert S. Cohen, Herschel Garfein, Mark Nathanson



When Dreams Take Flight

In February 2016, ACDA’s Fund for Tomorrow awarded Delaware ACDA one of its inaugural grants to shine a light on choirs that effect social change in inner cities.Over the past year and a half, Delaware ACDA, the Choir School of Delaware, and composer Dr. Rollo Dilworth have worked together to commission a new work celebrating […]

Kansas City MO.
Rollo Dilworth, Arreon Harley, David Lockart



Tell Your Story: Make the Case

The choral arts are leading and modeling education initiatives,which are often about project-based learning, sequencing, creative and portfolio evaluations, and rubrics. Choirs help students develop skills and bring those skills to the next level. How can we tell our story, bringing it to administrators and the public eye, in a way that educates our community […]

Kansas City MO.
Lynn Brinckmeyer, Karen Bruno, Emily Williams Burch, Joe Cerutti, Anthony Trecek-King
Robyn Lana



When Dreams Fly

ACDA awarded Delaware ACDA one of its inaugural grants as an initiative to shine a light on choirs that effect social change in inner cities. Delaware ACDA, the Cathedral Choir School of Delaware, and renowned composer Rollo Dilworth have worked together to commission a new work celebrating the impact of choirs on inner cities. When […]

Pittsburgh PA.
Arreon Harley, Rollo Dilworth, David Lockart



R.E.C.H.A.R.G.E.: Ideas to Rejuvenate or Reimagine Your Teaching

It never fails that attendees say that they look forward to “recharging” at SWACDA. But what does that mean? Aside from spending time with colleagues and being inspired by wonderful clinics and performances, what can you do to take that inspiration and make a tangible difference in your school, church, or community? Robert Ward will […]

Oklahoma City OK.
Robert Ward