Region Conferences

In support of the choral profession and the return to in-person activities and performances, ACDA is providing the following guidance for all in-person conference activities coming this spring. Decisions regarding protocols will be based on the following three-tiered approach, in this priority:

A) CDC guidance: Current guidance states that all people, vaccinated and unvaccinated, should wear masks while in group settings and practice social distancing where possible. Conference attendees are advised that masks will be required in all public conference spaces.

B) State and city mandates: ACDA will honor the COVID-19 mandates of our host states and host cities. Conference attendees and performers are advised that there may be additional mandates in place in the localities where conferences are being held. Attendees and performers will be required to abide by these mandates.

C) Venue mandates: ACDA will honor the COVID-19 policies of our host venues. Conference attendees and performers are advised that there may be additional mandates in place for specific conference venues. These mandates could include required masking, proof of vaccination, and/or proof of negative COVID-19 tests prior to being admitted to the venue.

Additionally,

· ACDA strongly recommends that all attendees and participants are vaccinated prior to attending a conference.

· This guidance represents the minimum protocols to be followed. Additional protocols may be in place at the discretion of region presidents to meet the varied safety needs of the regions, including additional requirements for performing ensembles, rehearsals, and honor choir participation.

· The policies and guidelines of the CDC, states, cities, and venues continue to change. All attendees and participants should expect to continuously monitor this information in their regions in order to have the most accurate information as conference time approaches. This information will be available on your region website.

· Attendees and participants are expected to know and abide by the protocols currently in place at the time of the conference. You can find the most up-to-date information on your region website.

ACDA recognizes our membership may have varying degrees of agreement with the protocols that will be in place while at the conferences. ACDA cannot modify the mandates that may be in place and exemptions will not be possible. If you have any questions, please contact your region president for the most up-to-date information for your region.

By being transparent in our decision-making process and expectations for conference attendance and performance, we hope that members will know how to plan for conferences this year. More than ever, we need a safe space to convene and recharge together. These guidelines provide the safest way for us to gather to share our joy of music-making with each other, while we continue to battle the impact of COVID-19.