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2024 ACDA Midwestern Region Conference February 7-10, 2024 Omaha, Nebraska

A. J. Reimer has been teaching vocal the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He is an accom-
music since 2003 and has been at Bel- plished vocalist and composer with his works available
levue West High School since 2006. He through several publishers and performed by festival/
received his undergraduate and master’s honor choirs, all-state choirs, and professional and
degrees in music education from the Uni- university choirs such as Seraphic Fire and the Oak-
versity of Nebraska-Lincoln. At West, Reimer helps wood University Aeolians. Recent commissions and
direct the eight choirs in its program, including West premieres include Harvard University and the Turtle
High Singers, Project 424, and Concert Choir. Reimer Creek Chorale. He regularly serves as a choral clini-
has presented, conducted, and performed several times cian and guest conductor for festival and honor choirs
at state conventions for both NMEA and NCDA. In throughout the country.
2014 he represented Nebraska at the regional ACDA
conference as a conductor of the Collegiate Honor
Choir. Reimer is a past president of the Nebraska Cho-
ral Directors Association. SNJ Singers

Nebraska Festival Singers

SNJ Singers is a select a cappella ensemble compris-
ing talented high school singers from across the Oma-
ha metropolitan area in their own school choirs, show
choirs, and musicals. SNJ Singers perform repertoire
ranging from classic choral literature to contemporary
The Nebraska Festival Singers is a new choral orga- a cappella. The ensemble rehearses at SNJ Studio of
nization in the Midwest. The membership comprises Music on Sunday evenings for ninety minutes each
teachers of all levels—inclusive of music and non- week during the school year. In addition to fall, winter,
music areas—and community members. Providing and spring concerts, the SNJ Singers perform in the
community performances of the highest quality, the Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration and hosts
Nebraska Festival Singers is dedicated to engaging and the annual SNJ A Cappella Festival, featuring high
inspiring through impassioned singing while expanding school and collegiate a cappella ensembles of all styles.
awareness and appreciation of the choral arts. In its
second season, the choir is conducted by Marques L. Joel Johnston is director of vocal music
A. Garrett, founding artistic director. at Midland University in Fremont, Ne-
braska, where he conducts the Univer-
Marques L. A. Garrett is associate profes- sity Choir and Clef Dwellers, Midland’s
sor of choral studies at the University of contemporary a cappella ensemble. Ad-
North Texas. After completing a PhD ditionally, Johnston teaches courses in music education
in music education (choral conducting) and vocal pedagogy. Known for his positive and dy-
at the Florida State University, he was namic leadership, he is in demand as a vocal clinician,
an assistant professor of music in choral activities at conductor, choreographer, and adjudicator. He has

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5 37