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2024 ACDA Western Region Conference March 6-9, 2024 Pasadena, California

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Interest Sessions
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to create bridges of understanding and positive change. Flexible Fach:
In this session Elizabeth Schauer will discuss creative, Gender-Affirming Vocal Pedagogy
moving and impactful programming approaches that
can increase awareness, engagement, and even philan- through Science-Informed Practices
thropy in choirs and their audiences. Recent effective
concert programs related to homelessness, Syrian and In this interactive session, attendees will be invited
Afghani war refugees, and domestic violence will serve to sing and discuss vocal exercises from a new proto-
as models for consideration and discussion. col developed by the presenter that focuses on help-
ing transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) singers
Elizabeth Schauer will be the clinician for this session. produce an aural aesthetic that better aligns with their
Her photo and bio are on page 23. gender identity. Created through an understanding of
the gendered associations and vocal characteristics of
common fach categories and voice classifications, this
protocol synthesizes practices from gender-affirming
Creating an Adaptive Choir Program speech-language pathology (SLP) with source-filter
theory and science-informed vocal pedagogy to pres-
This session will describe the administrative and ent a healthy, gender-affirming practice routine for
pedagogical tools required to start and run an adaptive TGE singers who are seeking to masculinize or femi-
needs choir at your school or in your community. Par- nize their voices.
ticipants will learn the profound benefits of universally
designed rehearsals for all students, and the particular Stevie J. Hirner will be the clinician for this session.
importance of providing meaningful artistic experienc- Her photo and bio are on page 23.
es for students with disabilities. Participants will leave
this session equipped with concrete rehearsal strategies
and activities to support an adaptive needs program.
Many Voices, Many Centers:
Brandi Dignum is the director of educa-
tion for the Tucson Girls Chorus, where 6 Steps for Multicentric Choral Programming
she conducts the Ladybugs and Hum-
mingbirds choirs, along with TGC early When we label our concert programs as “multi-
childhood and adaptive music classes. She cultural,” we begin with good intentions; however,
is the artistic director for the TGC Shine Camp and celebrating diversity sometimes tokenizes the histori-
serves on the Teacher Advisory Board for Tucson Girls cally excluded cultures we are attempting to recognize
Chorus. Dignum holds a BME from the University of and honor. Using multicentrism, which argues for “the
Arizona and is certified in Orff-Schulwerk levels I-III. marginalized moving from the margins to the center,
She believes that all students deserve an inclusive mu- and not simply being grafted into the existing order,”
sic experience. She has over twenty-five years of ex- this session will outline a culturally conscious six-step
perience teaching preschool music, elementary general process for choral programming: acknowledge privi-
music, middle school choir and musical theater, and lege, decide what you value, choosing repertoire, do
high school choir. Dignum was recognized as “Teacher your due diligence, identify who holds the power, and
of the Year” for the Flowing Wells School District. contextualize. Attendees will receive multicentric pro-
gramming suggestions and ways to respectfully study
less-familiar repertoire with your ensembles.

180 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5