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.