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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Performance

The Engaged Singer

Getting real musicality/artistry out of middle schoolers can be challenging. Having a “full bodied” performance, physical engagement from head to toe, can bring a choir’s singing to the next level and create an engaging performance for an audience member. This session discusses strategies to get your choirs moving and singing with organic movement that will […]

Oklahoma City MO.
Daniel Gutierrez



African American Spirituals and Gospel

Have you ever programmed a spiritual or gospel piece but were at a loss as to how to give it life beyond the printed page? African American spirituals are well known to have risen out of the hard labor context of American slavery. How did the rhythm of work songs influence the singing of these […]

Oklahoma City OK.



Reinvigorating the Chestnuts

The process of discovering new artistry and musicianship through “tried and true” repertoire should be a part of our standard choral curriculum. These “Chestnut” songs become part of the canon because of the music’s ability to stand the test of time. Instead of just performing these pieces through emulation of past performances, the reexamination and […]

Portland OR.
Meg Stohlmann



Preach What You Practice— Vocal Jazz Techniques with Last Call

Come join the members of Last Call as they discuss the different techniques they have learned from performing in this ensemble and how they have implemented these techniques in their own vocal jazz ensembles. This session will be part Q&A and part demonstration.

Portland OR.
Kelly Kunz



Elements of Folklore in Balkan Choral Music: Analysis and Performance Practice

Secular music from Eastern Europe has been steadily growing in popularity among high school and college-level choral groups. Its intrinsic characteristics like asymmetrical meter, modal melodies, rich textures,and specific vocal production give the music from the Balkan Peninsula a unique quality and character that breathes spirit and vigor. In this presentation, the clinician will examine […]

Portland OR.
Nataša Kaurin-Karača



Dialogue and Participation in the Choral Performance of Sacred Harp Music

Mounting interest in folk and world music has led to increased choral performance of Sacred Harp—or shape note—repertoire.Sacred Harp is a communal musical practice that originated in the singing schools of colonial New England and is still active today. Lack of awareness in the choral community regarding Sacred Harp and its wide-spread accessibility for participatory […]

Portland OR.
Leann Conley-Holcom