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2024 ACDA Northwestern Region Conference January 24-27, 2024 Spokane, Washington

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Encounter Choirs
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s"I Am a Musician!" field of choral music, we aspire to shape our commu-
Fostering a Child's Artistic Identity nity by fostering empowered skill development, com-
munity unity, and empathy in young people. We aim
The children who first experienced choral singing to create a world where choral music is a catalyst for
on Zoom fill the ranks of children’s choirs today. Pa- making new connections, promoting personal growth,
cific Youth Choir’s Nova 2 singers and Kendra Kay and embracing positive change.
Friar, conductor and Oregon’s 2021 Outstanding El-
ementary Music Educator, lead an interactive session Kendra Kay Friar, associate conductor,
celebrating and highlighting the educational needs of directs Nova 1 and 2 Choirs (Grades
today’s youngest choristers. Children’s inability to ex- K-5) and supervises PYC’s Neighbor-
perience live performances at a formative age led to hood Choir Program serving multiple
gaps in knowledge that had to be addressed in each public schools. She received Oregon
rehearsal cycle. PYC focused on rebuilding community MEA’s 2021 Excellence in Elementary Music Educa-
alongside individual artistry. The presentation will in- tion Award. She is a current member of NAfME’s Di-
clude a “buddy bench” activity and sharing time for versity Committee and a frequent speaker at national,
participants. Selections include “Three Rhymes, Set 1” regional, and music education conferences. She recent-
by Paul Bouman (earthsongs) and “Zol Zain Sholem” ly presented two NAfME Academy webinars highlight-
arr. by Joshua Jacobson (World Music Press). ing curricular uses for the music of Scott Joplin and
Margaret Bonds. Her work as a collaborative pianist
Pacific Youth Choir Nova 2 appears on Portland Phoenix Chamber Choir’s up-
coming world premiere recording of the piano-vocal
setting of Margaret Bonds’ Credo (Especially Do I Believe:
The Music of Margaret Bonds, Centaur Records, 2023).

Think Choral, Shop Local!
Commissioning in Your Community

Working with a local composer creates meaningful,
relevant, engaging, personal experiences for singers;
builds community beyond the choir; exposes singers
to creatives working in their own town; and can offer
In 2003, with talent, conviction, and enthusiasm, unique, collaborative musical experiences. This en-
Mia Hall Miller (Savage) and a small team of dedi- counter choir session will demonstrate the breadth of
cated musicians started two youth choirs: one for elite projects Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir and
treble singers and one for high school students. Today’s composer-in-residence Stacey Philipps have created
PYC comprises nine resident choirs, an alumni choir, over the last two seasons while rebuilding the choirs.
and multiple neighborhood choirs supervised by new This session will also give practical advice on finding
artistic director, Chris Maunu, and associate conduc- local composers and commissioning everything from
tors, Amber Schroeder (Grades 6-8) and Kendra Kay the simplest song to extended, rich, long-term projects.
Friar (Grades K-5). This will include the nuts-and-bolts of contracts, de-
Pacific Youth Choir strives to be the benchmark for posits, and deadlines. Hear examples while learning
choral excellence in the Pacific Northwest. Beyond the how to harness the strengths and skills in your own

18 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5