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:

Dear ACDA-PA members,
Fall is most definitely upon us! Our new choral paradigms have challenged our resources and energies, while also bringing unexpected victories. This November, I am excited to present a two-part interactive webinar series: “Resilient Leadership”. The purpose of this series is to celebrate the amazing and tireless leadership of choral directors in this pandemic season. Join me and special guests Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt and Drs. Troy Robertson and Stephanie Robertson to explore essential topics in choral leadership as they pertain to you!

Click here for more information and to register.

Dr. Caron Daley
President, ACDA-PA

The 2020 “Sing Up” drive starts September 15! In PA, we are charged with raising our membership 10% by November 15, which amounts to 48 new members!

Here are some great talking points for recruiting student and K-12 members:

Students:
https://acda.org/singup/membership-drive-tools/talking-points-students/

K-12:
​https://acda.org/singup/membership-drive-tools/talking-points-teachers/

Dear ACDA-PA members,

​We want to thank all those who attended tonight’s panel, “Justice and Equity in your Choral Spaces”. It was a wonderful discussion, filled with thoughtful and practical advice. Thank you to each of our panelists for your wisdom and for taking time to share it with us.
 
In this technological age, online security is always a concern. Unfortunately, we encountered a situation this evening where our session was hijacked by offensive content. We immediately ended the session and canceled the Virtual Happy Hour.
 
Although the situation was out of our control, we would like to sincerely apologize for any distress this has caused. In the future, we will work diligently to better secure our state-wide offerings, while continuing to offer vital and valuable programming to the ACDA-PA membership.
 
Thank you again for your support.
Caron Daley
ACDA-PA President

Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s ACDA-PA Awards!
These awards will be presented in person at the ACDA-PA 2021 Summer Conference.

Outstanding Young Conductor Award
Jordan Shomper
This award recognizes the efforts of a new or aspiring young conductor.

Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence
Steven Sametz
​This award is presented to an individual for outstanding lifelong work in the choral art.

Full biographical information can be found in the special summer edition of POLYPHONY.