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2022 ACDA Eastern Region Conference

Spotlight Choirst Choirs
Spotligh

Nurturing the Libby Gopal became one of the master
Artist Citizen teachers with the NJ Symphony Orches-
tra Master Teacher Collaborative Program
The East Orange Campus High School Chamber in 2007. Gopal has been an NBEF grant
Singers are on a continuous journey toward becoming recipient and two-time recipient of the
choral artist citizens. After the killing of Trayvon Martin ACDA Fund For Tomorrow Grant. In 2019, she was
in 2012, the purpose of the choir program shifted toward named East Orange Campus HS Teacher of the Year.
opportunities of artistic engagement via exploring civic She is currently a trainer through the EOSD Teacher
and social justice issues and musical opportunities that Leaders Workshop Series, NJ-ACDA Inclusivity Chair,
enhance the quality of the students’ lives. By including NJSMA Treble Choir Manager, NJ All-State Cho-
these key components in their education, choir members ral Procedures committee member, and a clinician for
learn how to entertain, educate, and explore issues that NJMEA and NJ-ACDA.
resonate with their lived experiences. This session will
address how we approach these topics as an ensemble.
When I Sing:
Sister Cities Girlchoir

As we reimagine our world, we will need leaders with
big vision, inclusive collaboration tools, and the ability
to move ideas to reality. That is the power of the cre-
ative youth development work of Sister Cities Girlchoir.
We build musical communities that empower girls to oc-
cupy their unique advantage in building a better world.
In 2018 we deepened our social change focus through a
new arts strategy goal: by 2024, 50% of our repertoire
will be original works by our community (youth, staff ,
and families). In this session, the Girlchoir will present
original works and share reflections of the student work

and collaborative songwriting process. The session will
The East Orange Campus High School Chamber Sing- include live performance and a multimedia presentation.
ers are predominantly composed of 3rd- and 4th-year
choir students. Students audition in September and meet
after school every Wednesday. The Chamber Singers
have been blessed with the opportunity to perform for
the NJMEA Conference in Atlantic City and on such
renowned stages as the Kimmel Center and Carnegie
Hall. The focus of the ensemble is to perform pieces
from historically marginalized and underrepresented
groups and perform music that empowers singers and
audiences to become artist citizens.

22 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2022 Volume 62 Number 5