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2024 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference February 27 - March 2, 2024 Denver, Colorado

Springs, North Carolina. At Gardner- Choral Music and Storytelling:
Webb he directs Concert Choir, Max
Gardner Singers, Handbell Ensemble, Building Engagement through Program Flow
and Worship Ensemble. Cheney is also
responsible for teaching music survey Through creative concert programming, choral con-
and courses in conducting, voice, and guitar. He holds ductors can cultivate concert experiences that lead both
a BME from Campbell University, an MM in choral performers and audience members from one selection
conducting and church music from Mercer University, to the next with engagement and aesthetic connection.
and a DMA in choral conducting from Louisiana State Outcomes: Consider overarching themes and connec-
University. Cheney and his wife, Rebekah, reside in tions for a concert program, explore sources of engaging
Asheville, North Carolina. repertoire from a diverse group of composers, connect
music making to social/emotional learning, consider
themes based on local stories or history to engage with
other local organizations, consider options for flow from
“Brain Smart” Rehearsals one choral piece to the next, explore assignments, proj-
ects, and guest lecture opportunities to engage in the mu-
This session will explore the benefits of being “brain- sic’s context.
smart” in rehearsals. Participants will be up and mov-
ing for nearly the entire session and will leave with re- Raul Dominguez will be a clinician for this session. His
sources to keep the director and the singers fired up for photo and bio are on page 25.
the entire year. Participants will experience brain-break
activities and creative teaching strategies that can be Matthew Myers will be a clinician for this session. His
used to increase focus, energy, and creativity in choral photo and bio are on page 20.
rehearsals. Participants will leave with a toolkit of more
than eighty brain-break, team, and learning activities
that they can use to enhance their choral rehearsals
and improve the overall experience for their singers.
The Choral Music of Jamaica
Stephen Rew holds his BME and MME
from the Conservatory of Music and Through this session, including the exploration
Dance at the University of Missouri, of newly published works, participants will become
Kansas City. He has received his dis- equipped with the tools necessary to engage with Jamai-
trict’s Teacher of the Year Award two can choral music with musical and sociocultural integrity.
times (Drexel, 2005, and Ray-Pec, 2013). Rew just
completed his sixth year as director at his alma mater, O’Neil Jones will be the clinician for this session. His
RPHS. Under his direction, the Chamber Singers per- photo and bio are on page 96.
formed at the 2022 MMEA Conference. Rew is also a
motivational speaker, published composer, and lyricist. The University of West Indies Mona University Singers
He and his wife, Cindy, and their children, Mason and will be the demonstration choir for this session. Their
Chloe, live in their dream home in Raymore. photo and bio are on page 88.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5 113