The early-bird deadline for the 2021 ACDA-PA Summer Conference “New Horizons” is just 14 days away (June 15). Join us for this special time of connection, learning, and musical inspiration!

​As was just sent in the most recent membership update for mid-April, here is a recap of the upcoming ACDA-PA and ACDA East events and deadlines.  For Eastern Region conference information, visit acdaeast.org.  All other details can be found on this site under the appropriate menu options:

• April 26 - Deadline to register for May Motivator
• May 1 - May Motivator online event
• May 1 - Deadline to submit Virtual Summer Conference performing choirs & interest session proposals
• May 1 - Deadline to nominate a PA choir to perform at ACDA East in February 2022
• May 15 - Performance applications due for ACDA East spotlight & concert choirs
• May 31 - ACDA-PA Award nominations due
• August 1-2 - ACDA-PA Virtual Summer Conference

Come join your ACDA Eastern Region colleagues on Friday, March 19 at 8:30PM EDT for some March Madness (choral repertoire edition), Conductor mixology, news about our 2022 Boston conference applications, events, and headliners, and breakouts with your state chapters.  PJs and Loungewear encouraged!

Nominations are now open for the ACDA-PA Awards! If you know a choral colleague who is doing exemplary work, consider nominating this conductor for one of ACDA-PA’s special awards. We offer three awards, described below. Please send a letter of nomination describing the candidate’s qualifications and why you feel they are deserving of the award to Susan Medley at vicepresident@acdapa.org by May 31, 2021.  Awards will be presented at the 2021 Virtual Summer Conference.
 
The Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence is presented to an individual for outstanding lifelong work in the choral art. Started in 1998, this award is named in honor of Elaine Brown, the founder/director of Singing City in Philadelphia, PA. The candidate must demonstrate:

• outstanding, lifelong achievements in the choral art
• a minimum of 15 years experience as a choral musician
• musical/choral leadership in the state of Pennsylvania
• high, consistent musical standards
• his/her active participation in ACDA

More information and a list of past recipients can be found at https://www.acdapa.org/elaine-brown-award-for-choral-excellence.html
 
The Eileen M. Hower Memorial Award is presented in honor of Eileen M. Hower, gifted choral musician and choral educator. The award is given to a Pennsylvania choral music educator who has been teaching for more than 15 years; has a proven record of commitment to developing voices, particularly at the middle school level; maintains high artistic standards; is actively involved in ACDA or some other professional leadership; models a passionate, positive, energetic, and joyful approach to their work. More information and a list of past recipients can be found at https://www.acdapa.org/eileen-m-hower-memorial-award.html
 
The Outstanding Young Conductor Award is presented to a rising young conductor doing exceptional work. Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• full or part-time continuous employment as a choral conductor in Pennsylvania for 3 - 5 years
• outstanding leadership and musicianship in any choral field - education, sacred music, or other professional choral music making
• impact on the size or quality of their program including significant contributions to the program and/or musical life of others as measured by the number of participants, improved quality, and/or community impact
• special consideration may be given to active members of ACDA.

A list of past recipients can be found at https://www.acdapa.org/outstanding-young-conductor-award.html
 
Recognition by one’s peers is represents tremendous affirmation to a choral conductor, whether they are early in their career, mid-career, or have been at this for a long time. Please consider honoring a fellow conductor by nominating them for one of these awards.

In this time of virtual choirs, remote and hybrid learning, spend the morning with fellow choral directors as we explore more strategies for inclusive teaching and conducting. This interactive online workshop will be led by experts in the profession and will be sure to keep you motivated through the spring and into summer!

• Meghan Durham, Respire Vocal Wellness
• Arreon Harley Emerson, Director of Music, The Choir School of Delaware; Chair of ACDA National Diversity Initiatives Committee
• Dr. Diana Saez, Towson University; ACDAEast Encompassing Genres R&R Chair
• Dr. Angela Kasper, Western Washington University
• R&R Roundtable Conversations

This follow-up event to “January Jumpstart” (January 9, 2021) will occur on Zoom from 8:15am-1pm!
Free for ACDA-PA members! Register by April 26.

For those who attended (or missed!) the January Jumpstart event a few weeks ago, videos of each session are posted as well as a link to several handouts from the presenters.  Apologies that the videos were recorded in gallery view and so the screen sharing from the presenters is not captured to see their slide shows, however audio from examples played can be heard.

Go to the EVENTS menu option and select January Jumpstart to view the materials!

In this time of virtual choirs, remote and hybrid learning, trying to stay afloat as a choral director has certainly been a challenge in 2020! Avoid the “deep freeze” after the holidays with a “January Jumpstart” into 2021! Spend the day with fellow choral directors as we explore new strategies for inclusive teaching and conducting. This interactive online workshop will be led by experts in the profession and will be sure to have you refreshed and ready to take on whatever 2021 has in store for us!
 
This event is open to ACDA and non-ACDA members from all states and countries. Designed for all levels of choral conductors working in all contexts.

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4 to allow for sending out Zoom links on January 5th.

Click here for more information and to register.

​The resolve and resilience of the choral community inspires me at every turn. This holiday season, amidst the challenges of the pandemic, I know many of you are involved with creating virtual choirs, pre-recorded concerts, and live recordings of socially-distant singing! First off, congratulations on engaging your choral communities in these meaningful projects! Second, SHARE WITH US!
 
ACDA-PA is creating a list of upcoming performances to share with the state membership!
 
If you would like your performance to be included in the December 1 Virtual Concert Listing, please fill out this form by Monday, November 30: