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health and culminated in his co-founding of the Hu- conducting from the University of Oklahoma. In 1999
man Compatible Learning Center. Early in his career he he began teaching at Houston Christian University while
sang with the Norman Luboff Choir. He established the continuing to work in a church position; after retirement,
Voice Center (1986-1995) in Minneapolis, which special- he served as an adjunct instructor in conducting at the
ized in voice education. Dr. Thurman was the founder, University of St. Thomas in Houston. Admired widely
board member, and principal faculty member of The by students and colleagues throughout the country,
VoiceCare Network, based in Minnesota, from 1982 to Yarrington was known for his delightful sense of humor
2006. His contributions have left an indelible mark on and his ability to make music accessible to people. He
the memberships of ACDA and NATS, and his memory published several books on church music leadership and
and friendship will be cherished by the countless indi- conducting.
viduals he inspired and mentored throughout his career.

Judith Willoughby (1949-2024) was a
stellar conductor, choral music specialist,
educator, and arts administrator through-
out the United States and internation-
ally. Willoughby was the Wanda L. Bass
Professor of Conducting and Choral Music Education
at Oklahoma City University and artistic director of
the Canterbury Youth Choruses until her retirement
in 2017. Prior to moving to Oklahoma, she was the
founder and music director of the Temple University
Children’s Choir. Willoughby was one of the first Af-
rican American women to have her choir selected to
perform at the 1997 ACDA National Convention with
the Temple University Children’s Choir. She served as
the president of Pennsylvania ACDA, was on the board
of Chorus America for nine years, and was a grant writer
for the Pew Foundation and Pennsylvania Council on
the arts. She had a profound influence on generations
of students, colleagues, and friends.

John Charles Yarrington (1941-2024), a
Tulsa, OK, native, earned an undergradu-
ate degree in music education from the
University of Oklahoma, where he de-
veloped an interest in choral conducting.
He later earned a master’s degree in Sacred Music from
The Union Theological Seminar in New York, laying the
groundwork for a lifetime of church music leadership in
prominent congregations. While serving at First United
Methodist Church in Dallas, he completed his DMA in

CHORAL JOURNAL February 2025 / ACDA National Conference Program Book Volume 65 Number 6 139