April 25 – 26, 2024
Chicago, IL (In person and Remote)
Big 10 Conference Center
The American Choral Directors Association is pleased to announce the fourth International Symposium on Research in Choral Singing, a forum for the dissemination of research and scholarly activity. The International Symposium will combine diverse presentational formats and break-out sessions with opportunities for in-depth conversation, inquiry, and consideration of future research directions of all types. Penn State University will host the conference, in conjunction with Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) and De Montfort University (England).
The 2024 Symposium will be held in-person with an additional virtual, synchronous option for those who cannot attend in person. The Symposium will be held Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Big 10 Conference Center in Chicago, Illinois. Pre-conference workshops for in-person attendees begin at 10am on Thursday, April 25. Primary conference sessions for in-person and virtual attendees begin at noon central time on Thursday, April 25 and conclude by 5pm central time on Friday, April 26.
Registration Options
In-person attendees $125: Attend the conference on-site in Chicago. In-person attendees have access to the pre-conference workshops held from 10am-12pm central time on Thursday April 25 and all primary conference sessions beginning at noon on Thursday, April 25 through 5pm on Friday, April 26. Pricing also includes lunch on Thursday & Friday; afternoon coffee on Thursday and Friday; and breakfast Friday morning.
Virtual attendees $75: Conference access provided via Zoom platform. Access only to the primary conference workshops beginning at noon central time on Thursday, April 25 through 5pm central time on Friday, April 26. No access to the pre-conference workshops. Sessions are only offered synchronously. No recordings will be provided.
US-Based presenters: The expectation for US-based presenters is to attend the conference in person. Please register as an In-Person attendee.
Registration opens January 4, 2024
Travel and Lodging
The conference will be held at the Big 10 Conference Center located at 5440 Park Place, Rosemont, IL 60018
The conference hotel is the Doubletree by Hilton Chicago located at 5460 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018. Limited rooms are available in the ACDA block. You can book using the link below. The pricing on the room block expires on April 3. If no rooms are available, additional hotels are in the area and may be booked on your own.
CLICK HERE for the hotel booking site.
Conference Schedule
-Central Time (Chicago)-
Thursday, April 25
Pre-conference Workshops (all in-person and remote attendees welcome, regardless of pre-registration)
10-10:50AM
Measurement and Design Foundations for Quantitative Choral Singing Research (Brian Shaw)
This session will provide novice and intermediate researchers with practical strategies to help them design and conduct quantitative studies related to choral singing.
11-11:50AM
Qualitative Approaches to Researching Choral Experiences (Julia Shaw)
This session will illuminate possibilities for researching choral experiences through qualitative approaches to inquiry. We will explore research questions for which qualitative approaches are well suited; techniques for data generation, analysis, and interpretation; and strategies for bolstering the credibility and trustworthiness of qualitative studies.
12-12:50PM
Registration and Lunch in Dining Room – Included in registration for in-person attendees
1:00-1:25 PM
Welcome from Conference Chair & ACDA Research & Publications Committee Chair, Main Hall
Presentation by 2020 Herford Prize Winner, AJ Keller
On composer Gudmundsen-Holmgreen (1932-2016)
1:30-2:30 PM
Paper Session 1: Short Papers – Discussant: Elizabeth Parker
Melissa Bauman & McKenzie Heaney (University of Oklahoma)
Supports, Challenges, and Equity Issues among Women in Collegiate Choral Conducting: A Case Study.
Stephen Paparo (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Masculinity and Singing: The phenomenon of being a male choral singer
-Brief discussion between-
Lynne Cuneo (The University of Kansas)
A Study of Ear Dominance and its Effects on Intonation, Amplitude, and Tone
Corey Sullivan (Texas Tech University)
The Effects of Digital Audio and Video Quality on Collegiate Music Students’ Ratings of Vocalists
2:45-3:25 PM
Author session: Recent Books on Choral Singing
Bridget Sweet, Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Voice Change in Music Education
Elizabeth Parker, Adolescents on Music
Wendy Moy, Resurrecting Song: A Pathway Forward for the Choral Art in the Time of Pandemics
Matthew Garrett, Honoring Trans and Gender-Expansive Students in Music Education
Elisa Dekaney, Music at the Intersection of Brazilian Culture: An Introduction to Music, Race, and Food
3:25-3:45 PM
Break (Coffee provided in Dining Room)
3:45-5:00 PM
Paper Session 2: Long papers – Discussant: Justin West
Justin Caithaml (University of Maryland)
More than Just Singing?: An exploratory pilot study of long-term perceptions of high school choir leadership
Jennifer Lang (University of Saskatchewan)
Intergenerational Choral Connections: A lifetime of choral singing
Elisa Dekaney, John Warren, Peppie Calvar, & Wendy Moy (Syracuse University)
Choral Music Landscape in Paraíba, Brazil: An exploratory case study
Kerry Boyle, Lynn Revell (Canterbury Christ Church University), Aoife Hiney (University of Aveiro) & Lucimer Bohn (University of Porto)
Who are the Singers and Why do they Sing? An international study of choral singers and their choirs
5:00 PM
Informal Happy Hour – TBA
Remote Happy Hour – Hosted by Motje Wolf & Alfonso Elorriaga
Friday, April 26
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Hot Breakfast & Coffee
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Paper Session 3: long papers – Discussant: Bridget Sweet
Justin West (The University of Texas at Austin) & Jason Bowers (Louisiana State University)
A Grounded Theory of Rebuilding Secondary School Choir Programs after the COVID-19 Pandemic
Fiona Evison (Western University)
Relational Composition for Post-Pandemic Well-being in a Canadian Children’s Choir
-Extended discussion on wellbeing and community experience-
9:45 – 10:45 AM
Paper Session 4: short papers – Discussant: Elisa Dekaney
Stephanie Gregoire & Sarah Bartolome (Northwestern University)
“There’s nothin’ better than bein’ together!”: Cultivating community in a choir for adults with disabilities
Christopher Clark (Case Western Reserve University)
Lead with Love: The non-religious spirituality of Voices 21C
Arreon Harley-Emerson (U. of Delaware, Temple University & Delaware Academy of Vocal Arts)
Making It Plain: A key informant case study exploring the sequencing of teaching and learning in gospel choir settings
Aimee Pearsall (University of Delaware)
A Multiple Case Study of Informal Learning Practices and Processes within Three High School Choral Programs
10:45 – 11:00 AM
Breakout session descriptions & Discussion Break
11:00 AM – 12:00
Paper Session 5: short papers – Discussant: Matthew Garrett
Thomas Rinn (Texas State University)
The Relationship Between Musical Self-Efficacy and Competitive Achievement Among High School Choir Students
Yulene Velásquez (University of Minnesota Morris)
A “rock to lean on”: Choral singing in a small community
Cathryn Booth-LaForce (University of Washington) & Ann Wright (VOCES8 Foundation)
VOCES8 Sing Together Program and Community Partnerships in US Elementary Schools: Teachers’ perceptions of the program and its impact on Grade 3 children
Jamey Kelley, Julianna LoBiondo & Evan Powers (University of North Texas)
Preservice Music Educators’ Perceptions of Choral Repertoire
12:00 – 12:45PM
Lunch provided
12:45 – 2:00 PM
Paper Session 6: long papers – Discussant: Jeremy Manternach
Patrick Antinone (East Texas Baptist University) & Katrina Cox (University of Nebraska Omaha)
Look Up from the Stand: Tracking choral educators’ perceptions of curricula and trends
Nicholas Matherne (University of Melbourne)
How Singers Experience Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Through their First Year of Elective Secondary Choral Music: A pilot study
Jessica Nápoles, Jamey Kelley & Julianna LoBiondo (University of North Texas)
A Phenomenological Exploration of the Co-Teaching Experiences of Associate Choir Teachers in Texas
Jeremy Manternach (University of Iowa) & Bridget Sweet (University of Illinois)
Effects of a Straw Phonation and /a/ Vowel Protocols on Acoustic and Perceptual Measures of Adolescent Males
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Poster Session Lightning Talks & Steven Demorest Recognition
Rebecca Atkins & Benjamin Brown (University of Georgia)
An analysis of sight-singing behaviors using an eye-tracker
Christopher Loftin (Auburn University)
Choir Director Perceptions of Vocal Expression: A two-phase design
Oscar Escalada (Universidad Nacional de La Plata)
Singing, a Human Right
Lynne Cuneo (The University of Kansas)
Indicators of Success in the Secondary Ensemble Classroom
Joaquín Fuentes Díaz & Alicia Galiana (AEDCORO)
The Music Integration Project as a Basis for Learning
Kirsten Hedegaard (Loyola University)
Recent Trends in Eco-choral Repertoire
John Wayman (University of Texas at Arlington)
The Perceived Benefits of Singing in a Non-Primary Choir at the Collegiate Level
Bryan Nichols (Penn State University)
The Development of College Musicians’ Error Detection Skills
Whitney Covalle (Montclair State University)
White Choir Director
Pingyi Song (Coker University)
Gender Issues and A Brief Introduction of Choral Literature by Eastern Asian Female Composers
Tingyu Yan (South China Normal University) & Jiajun Tang (University of Southern California)
The Road to Innovative Music Teaching: An Insight into Student-Centered Practices in Choral Demonstration Lessons in Secondary Schools in Shanghai
Donna Smith (University of Alabama) & Doreen Rao (Northwestern University)
Oral History in Choral Music Education Research
David Haas (The University of Iowa)
The Effect of Synthesized Accompaniments on the Perception of Choral Music
Albert Alcaraz (Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3)
The Vindication of Folklore and Traditions in Spanish Choral Music from the 20th Century to the Present Day: A true treasure
Alicia C. Vorel (Southern Illinois University) & Elizabeth Hearn (University of Mississippi)
Pedagogical Preferences of Choral Music Teacher Educators: A preliminary examination of choral methods course materials
Jessica Nápoles, Don Taylor & Evan Powers (University of North Texas)
Queer Choir Teachers of Color Navigating Divisive Concepts Laws in Florida and Texas: A phenomenological exploration
Evan Powers (University of North Texas)
Singers’ Perceptions of Conductor Effectiveness Based On Conductor Eye Contact During Singer Performance
Rodney Frometa, Gudiel Roblero & Miriam Barreto (Linda Vista University)
Team Perception in Choirs from Linda Vista University
Alfonso Elorriaga & Isabel Villagar (Autónoma University of Madrid)
A Preliminary Study on the Use of Semi-Occluded Singing Exercises with Young Adolescents
Helmut Schaumberger (Gustav Mahler Private University of Music)
“Jugendsingen” as seen by its Participants: Selected results and analysis of an Austrian youth choir festival
Melissa Grady & Lynne Cuneo (The University of Kansas)
Choral Consonant Cut-offs: Effects of Conductor Release Gestures
3:30 – 3:45 PM
Coffee break
3:45 – 4:30 PM
Small Group Discussion Breakouts – led by IJRCS Board Members
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Discussion Group Reports
5:00 – 5:15 PM
Symposium Summary, Next Steps, & Closing; Informal Happy hour TBA
All conference times are in the Central time zone.