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2022 ACDA Western Region Conference

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Beyond Palestrina: Beyond Programming: Breaking Barriers:
Keeping Early Music Relevant Creating a More Inclusive Performing Diverse and

in a Diversifying Choir Room Choral Space Accessible Music for All

As choral directors wrestle with Representation through the rep- This session will explore choral
issues of diversity, inclusion, and rel- ertoire we program is one key tool music that is inclusive of the great
evance, it’s not hard to imagine that that we use to create a decolonized diversity around the globe. The
music from before 1700—already choral space. However, we must presentation will focus on women
an endagered species—might fade also examine how and what we and BIPOC composers over the
from use in schools, churches, and teach. Join a team of pedagogues past 500 years who we will con-
community choirs. In truth, as music to unpack six study-supported tools tinue to perform, celebrate, and
historians continue to unearth Medi- that can be integrated directly into learn from. In addition to reading
eval, Renaissance, and Baroque mu- the everyday work you already do. through scores and providing re-
sic by a variety of male and female Based on extensive field work and sources for use in rehearsals, acces-

composers of many backgrounds, research in Colombia, this session sible performance practice issues
early music can enrich singers’ un- integrates research with practice and critical historical implications
derstanding of diverse cultures. Fur- and, more importantly, will leave will be discussed.
thermore, the repertoire can work participants feeling emboldened
for choirs of all ages and skill levels, and informed. Jeff rey Benson is the clinician for
ranging from middle school treble this session. His bio and photo are
choirs to professional early music en- Corie Brown serves on page 128.
sembles. as assistant professor
of choral music ed-
Nicole Baker has ucation at San José
served Jouyssance as State University. She Building Beautiful Voices:
artistic director since leads the SJSU Concert and Treble Tools and Principles
1999, and under her Choirs as well as music education
leadership the group courses, and is fueled by her passion In this participatory session, cli-
has blossomed into Southern Cali- around the integration of social jus- nicians Frank F. Eychaner and John
fornia’s premiere early music vocal tice and music education. Prior to Martin Petzet will demonstrate
ensemble. Recently retired from the graduate studies in choral conduct- practical tools for voice building
music history faculty at California ing at the University of Colorado through the warm-up and rehears-
State University, Fullerton, Baker led Boulder and University of Oregon, al. Vocal pedagogy will be applied
Collegium Musicum, the School of Brown taught in Colombia with the to common challenges, and age-ap-
Music’s ensemble specializing in mu- Fundación Nacional Batuta. propriate vocalizes will be explored
sic prior to 1700. She is currently the to build the capacity of singers to
traditional choir director at St. Philip Jeff rey Benson is the clinician for perform with freedom, expression,
the Apostle Church in Pasadena. A this session. His bio and photo are and beauty. Session participants will
graduate of Wellesley College, she on page 128. receive a resource packet of tried-
earned her MFA in voice and her and-true warm-ups, solutions to
PhD in musicology at UCLA. common problems, essential vocal
pedagogy illustrations, and more.

132 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2022 Volume 62 Number 5