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NATIONAL OFFICERS From the

President
PRESIDENT
ANDRÉ THOMAS
president@acda.org The Joy of Singing

VICE PRESIDENT
As I sat down to begin writing these words, what kept
DAVID FRYLING going through my mind was the joy of making music
dfryling@acda.org
together. This past fall, I watched over 170 conductor/
PRESIDENT-ELECT teachers at the Florida ACDA conference burst into
EDITH COPLEY singing. The energy and euphoria in the room were
ecopley@acda.org André Thomas overwhelming. Not only as they sang but as they saw
their fellow conductors in person. I saw choirs perform with conviction,
SECRETARY/TREASURER
determination, and with beauty. I saw new young conductors leading the
TOM MERRILL
merrilltg@gmail.com honor choirs. Each conductor led the ensemble with their vibrant person-
alities and talents. One conductor had to step in and create magic with the
PAST PRESIDENT young middle school tenor bass choir when the conductor scheduled to lead
LYNNE GACKLE could not attend. There were choirs in formal attire in the Florida confer-
lgackle@acda.org ence and choirs performing in jeans and t-shirts. We were indeed moved
musically by both choirs.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR While we know ACDA as our governing organization, we are bound by
ROBYN HILGER our love for our art and the love we have for our fellow conductors and
executivedirector@acda.org musicians—we are a family. And the loving family never discards anyone,
but treats each person with dignity and love. A loving family will at times dis-
EASTERN REGION PRESIDENT

agree but find a way to hear each other. A family will find ways to deal with
PENELOPE CRUZ changes in its finances, various political views, and even a virus. The love

pcruzacda@gmail.com
for human beings must always come first, even before our beloved art form.

MIDWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT A family must encourage and make room for its young. In our 2021
MARY EVERS National Virtual Conference, I loved the continuing stream of encourag-
meversmusic@comcast.net ing comments in the chat feature as each choir performed. At the Flori-
da ACDA conference, a gifted young high school student conductor was
NORTHWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT allowed to conduct the final selection of his choir’s performance. The joy

STEVE ZIELKE I witnessed on this young man’s face after congratulating him was indeed
president@nwacda.org
priceless.
All six regions of ACDA will soon present their conferences. Each region
SOUTHERN REGION PRESIDENT
president and their committees have faced many challenges as they prepared
CONNIE DROSAKIS
connie.acdasouthernpres@gmail.com for their upcoming conferences in this post-Covid era. As you attend, please
keep in mind the many hours spent planning, working with the venues, the
SOUTHWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT cities, and the states to comply with their safety protocols. One might ask
RYAN SULLIVAN the question, “Is it worth it?” and the resounding answer is, “Yes!” Music
ryanwsullivan@gmail.com indeed feeds our soul, and these conferences are fantastic opportunities to
recharge our batteries, mentor, gain new knowledge, meet new professional
WESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
colleagues, and mentor our young, as well as all who are in need of mento-
LOU DE LA ROSA ring and encouragement.
president@acdawestern.org
We are indeed family, and I look forward to each of the six region con-
ferences.
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATE REPRESENTATIVE
KATHY FERNANDES
J.W. Pepper
Kfernand@jwpepper.com

4 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2022 Volume 62 Number 5