Page 6 - CJFeb24

From the
STANDING COMMITTEES
Vice President
ADVOCACY & COLLABORATION
EMILY WILLIAMS BURCH, CHAIR
EmilyWilliamsBurch@gmail.com

ACDA’s Constitution and Bylaws Revision
Committee members from all six regions of
COMPOSITION INITIATIVES

DAN FORREST, CHAIR ACDA (Vincent Oakes, Lynne Gackle, Mariana
dan@danforrest.com
Farah, Timothy Westerhaus, Peggy Dettwiler, and
myself) and our executive director, Robyn Hilger,
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES worked for two years to revise our Constitution and
ARREON HARLEY-EMERSON, CHAIR Edith A. Copley Bylaws. The committee spent many hours review-
arreon@equitysings.com ing, discussing, editing, and in some cases, adding
new sections to our governing document in order to clearly state ACDA’s
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION purposes and outline how leadership roles function at state, region, and
JAMILA MCWHIRTER, CHAIR national levels. I greatly appreciate the thoughtful comments submitted
jamila.mcwhirter@mtsu.edu by ACDA members during each of the “four rounds” that were sent out
for public comment. Committee members carefully read and discussed
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES these suggestions and were grateful for this invaluable feedback. Prior to
JOSHUA HABERMANN, CHAIR the national vote, only the revisions and additions to the Constitution and
joshhabermann@gmail.com Bylaws were printed in the Choral Journal. On November 15, 2023, the
ACDA membership approved the revisions to the National Constitution
REPERTOIRE & RESOURCES and Bylaws. In this issue, the revised document appears in its entirety.
GRETCHEN HARRISON, CHAIR Again, my deepest thanks to the members of the committee and most
nationalrr@acda.org
especially to Robyn Hilger, who continues to lead our choral organization
with knowledge, vision, and grace.
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
JESSICA NAPOLES, CHAIR

Jessica.Napoles@unt.edu Celebrating the Choral Art: Past, Present, and Future

2025 ACDA National Conference
Many years ago, a friend suggested I attend an ACDA National Confer-
ence in Dallas. At the time I really didn’t know very much about ACDA,
ADVOCACY STATEMENT but I decided to attend. It was an incredible and life-changing event for
me. I flew back to Iowa and immediately became a life-long member of
The human spirit is elevated to a broader understanding
of itself and its place in the world through the study of and ACDA. Little did I know that 48 years later I would be the Conference
participation in choral music. Singing in a choir produces Chair for ACDA’s national event in the same city! I have assembled a
more active and involved citizens. It affects self-worth conference committee of dedicated servant leaders, including Jessica Na-
in youth and adults. It builds connectivity throughout poles from the University of North Texas, who will serve as Conference
communities. Society benefits from the aesthetic beauty Co-Chair. The committee has prepared the calls for performing choirs,
and community of singers created by choral programs insight choirs, and interest sessions for this issue of the Choral Journal (see
within schools, houses of worship, and community pages 55-65), extended special invitations to national and international
organizations through involved citizenry, connectivity
throughout communities, and feelings of personal self- choirs, and, most importantly, crafted a schedule that will give attendees
worth. The American Choral Directors Association and in both tracks more time to connect and share meals. Outstanding guest
its membership resolve to ensure the survival of choral clinicians will conduct five national honor choirs, including a new vocal
programs for this and future generations by: jazz honor choir. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will per-
Actively voicing support for funding at local, state, form a major choral/orchestral work under the baton of Maestra Joann
and national levels of education and government; Falletta. Performances will be in the world-class Meyerson and Winspear
collaborating with local and national organizations to concert halls, situated in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. Please mark
ensure the distribution of arts funding data and arts- March 18-22, 2025, on your calendars for a memorable and possible life-
related activism opportunities; advocating for full access
to choral singing and inclusion of all singers in a choral changing ACDA conference in Dallas.
program; and ensuring the distribution of advocacy
statements and data regarding choral programs. 4 CHORAL JOURNAL February 2024 Volume 64 Number 6