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STANDING COMMITTEES
From the
Executive Director

ADVOCACY & COLLABORATION
ALEX GARTNER, CHAIR

agartner@pensacolasings.org
With Gratitude and Hope
COMPOSITION INITIATIVES This month marks a significant moment for

KATIE HOUTS, CHAIR ACDA—a changing of the guard. Many of our
dedicated state presidents are wrapping up their
katie.houts@gmail.com
terms, our national executive committee roles are
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES changing, and we have wonderful leaders from na-
ARREON HARLEY-EMERSON, CHAIR Robyn Hilger tional R&R and standing committees who are ro-
arreon@equitysings.com
tating off. All of these leaders have navigated shifting priorities and led
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION during uncertain times, and all while inspiring and building commu-
JOHN MCDONALD , CHAIR nity within ACDA.
JohnMcDonald@wustl.edu To our state presidents, thank you. Your time, energy, and hearts
have helped move this organization forward. Some of the most im-
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES portant work you’ve done hasn’t shown up in headlines or reports—
JOSHUA HABERMANN, CHAIR but it’s been felt deeply by the people you’ve supported and encour-
joshhabermann@gmail.com aged within your local communities.
To André Thomas, who ends his term on the executive committee
REPERTOIRE & RESOURCES after eight years of service, thank you. I will be forever grateful for your
GRETCHEN HARRISON, CHAIR guidance and friendship. Your love for this profession, people, and or-
nationalrr@acda.org ganization is profoundly inspiring.
To David Fryling, who ends his term as president and becomes the
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS chair of the past president’s council, thank you. You’ve led during one
JESSICA NÁPOLES, CHAIR of the most critical times of transformation in ACDA. Your knack for

jnapoles@acda.org cutting right to the heart of the matter has been invaluable. Thank you

for being our Lodestar. You are a valued partner and friend, and I look
forward to our continued work together.
To Dustin Cates, Joy Hirokawa, Emily Williams Burch, Robert
ADVOCACY STATEMENT Bode, Ryan Beeken, Kelsey Burkett, Caron Daley, Brandon Elliott, and
Damion Womack, who are ending their terms on national R&R and/
The human spirit is elevated to a broader understanding or standing committees, you’ve pushed our content and event offerings
of itself and its place in the world through the study of and forward with depth and a deep sense of service to the membership. It
participation in choral music. Singing in a choir produces
more active and involved citizens. It affects self-worth was a privilege to serve with such masterful experts.
in youth and adults. It builds connectivity throughout The future of our organization is in good hands. Our new leaders
communities. Society benefits from the aesthetic beauty are stepping into a vibrant legacy of service—and they are not alone.
and community of singers created by choral programs They are part of a strong network, supported by their predecessors
within schools, houses of worship, and community and by a community that believes in the power of connection, music,
organizations through involved citizenry, connectivity and leadership. Leadership transitions can bring both a sense of loss
throughout communities, and feelings of personal self-
worth. The American Choral Directors Association and and a sense of renewal. Let’s celebrate those who are completing their
its membership resolve to ensure the survival of choral service by offering our deep gratitude, and let’s rally around those who
programs for this and future generations by: are just getting started.
Actively voicing support for funding at local, state, To our outgoing servant leaders, thank you for everything. To our
and national levels of education and government; incoming leaders, welcome. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do.
collaborating with local and national organizations to
ensure the distribution of arts funding data and arts-
related activism opportunities; advocating for full access
to choral singing and inclusion of all singers in a choral
program; and ensuring the distribution of advocacy
statements and data regarding choral programs.
2 CHORAL JOURNAL August 2025 Volume 66 Number 1