Hi everyone!

I wanted to let you know that you have a way to publicize your choral concerts, festivals, adjudications, and other events to the membership of ACDA-PA.  On our website, www.acdapa.org, we have a calendar of events.  Below the calendar, click on "Open full calendar." At the top of the screen is a green button that says "Submit event."  This will open a form that you can fill out with all the details of your event.  I encourage you to let us know what is going on in your area, and check back frequently to see new events that have been posted.

Since I'm new to this position, I'm not always aware of the ways that are most appropriate to get the word out about our events. Last evening you received an email to the state membership, sent by me on behalf of Kelli Rocchi, our R&R chair for High School Choirs, about an event in the eastern part of the state that she is organizing.  Rather than send out these emails for all events, the online calendar seems to be the most efficient way to let everyone know about choral events of interest without crowding our inboxes. This also accomplishes one of the things that I feel ACDA-PA is intended to do - to be a vehicle for communication between conductors and to help us promote our events across the state. We can learn so much from each other, and attending each other's concerts is one of the best ways to show support for the choral music we love.

So, post away!  Let us know what you are doing!  There is tremendous choral music being made in Pennsylvania, and there are terrific opportunities for our singers.  Check the online calendar frequently to see what is happening in your area.

As always, if I can be of help to you in any way, I'm only an email away.

Best wishes,
Susan
susanmedley@verizon.net

Fall Conference Performing Ensembles Announced!
ACDA-PA is pleased to share that the following choirs will perform at the Fall Conference at Susquehanna University in November:

• Lebanon Valley College Chamber Choir, Conductor- Matthew Erpelding
• The Poquessing Middle School Select Choir, Conductor- Jason Leigh
• The Heinz Chapel Choir, Conductor- Susan Rice
• BASH Show Choir, Conductor- Jeffrey Brunner

Fall Conference Headliner: Bob Chilcott
If you haven't registered for the Fall Conference yet, do it today!  Early bird registration prices end on October 7, so register early to get discounted rates.

Here's what you will miss from our clinician if you don't attend:

Writing Music for Choirs - Bob Chilcott is passionate about enabling choral singing, and divides most of his time between composing and conducting choral music.  Today he talks about the importance of text, vocal line, musical appeal, and a little about how his time as a chorister and later a member of the King’s Singers has influenced the music he writes today.

Open Rehearsal with Pennsylvania Collegiate Choir and Bob Chilcott - As the Pennsylvania Collegiate Choir prepares to perform The Marvellous Birth by Bob Chilcott, the composer joins them to conduct a final rehearsal.

Open Sing with Bob Chilcott - Explore a selection of new choral pieces with composer and conductor Bob Chilcott, and experience some of his newest publications and old favourites.

Click Here to Register for the Conference!

College and University Members Take Note!The 7th annual Undergraduate Conducting Competition is now receiving applications for participants.  The event takes place in conjuction with the annual ACDA-PA Fall Choral Conference in November at Susquehanna University.

Any ACDA member teaching at a college or university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is eligible to submit ONE undergraduate student nominee for the conducting competition. Only the faculty member MUST be a current member of ACDA. For additional information, please visit 

http://www.acdapa.org/undergraduate-conducting-competition.html
Deadline for submitting nominees is
Friday, September 29, 2017
CLICK TO NOMINATE A STUDENT

ACDA Sing Up Membership Drive

Renew Now!

New student members can join for only $5

Dear fellow choral conductors,
 
Fall has arrived! In our worlds, that means that our seasons have begun. Repertoire decisions have been made (and are still being made!), auditions are over, and rehearsals are well under way.  As you proceed full speed ahead into your season, remember that there are colleagues all over the state doing the same thing that you are doing. Our jobs can feel very isolating sometimes, but ACDA can help us by connecting us with a network of colleagues and professional development opportunities.
 
ACDA’s “Sing Up” Membership Drive runs from now until October 25. Renew your membership and encourage your fellow choral conductors to join this tremendous organization that is specifically for us. Just go to www.acda.org and click “Log In,” then “Membership.” New members can just click “Join Now.”
 
Pennsylvania is participating in the $5 new student member initiative. Students joining ACDA for the first time will pay only $5!  Eighty of these $5 new student memberships will be offered. It’s easy to get started.

• Students can click “Join Now” at www.acda.org
• Enter the first page of information to create an account
• Click on "Next," and they will be offered a membership price of $5

 
And don’t forget ACDA-PA’s upcoming Fall Conference at Susquehanna University November 10-11, 2017, featuring Bob Chilcott. Visit www.acdapa.org for more information and to register.
 
ACDA is our organization. Please take advantage of all it offers us. And if there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at smedley@washjeff.edu.  Have a great year. Hope to see you at the Fall Conference!
 
Sincerely,
Susan
 
Susan Medley
President, ACDA-PA