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STANDING COMMITTEES
From the
Executive Director

ADVOCACY & COLLABORATION
EMILY WILLIAMS BURCH, CHAIR
EmilyWilliamsBurch@gmail.com

Embracing Winter: A Season of
COMPOSITION INITIATIVES Rejuvenation and Preparation for Spring

DAN FORREST, CHAIR

dan@danforrest.com
By the time you receive this issue, many of you will
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES have rehearsed and performed hundreds of hours
ARREON HARLEY-EMERSON, CHAIR Robyn Hilger in the past months. From the energy of the start of
arreon@equitysings.com school to the crescendo of the winter concerts, you
have been running the annual choral marathon of the fall semester. Now,
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION it’s time for something completely different.
JAMILA MCWHIRTER, CHAIR As temperatures drop and daylight wanes, winter often arrives with
jamila.mcwhirter@mtsu.edu a reputation for hibernation and stagnation. However, amidst the frosty
winds and snow-covered landscapes lies an opportunity for rejuvenation
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES and preparation that is often overlooked. Winter, far from a period of dor-
JOSHUA HABERMANN, CHAIR mancy, can serve as a valuable time for personal growth, reflection, and
joshhabermann@gmail.com readiness for the vibrancy of spring.
The shorter days and longer nights of winter offer a natural invitation
REPERTOIRE & RESOURCES to slow down. It’s a season to turn inward, allowing ourselves to rest, re-
GRETCHEN HARRISON, CHAIR charge, and reflect. Embracing this slower pace can be profoundly rejuve-
nationalrr@acda.org nating for our minds and bodies. Whether it’s curling up with a good book,

exploring a new hobby, or simply taking time for quiet contemplation, win-
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
ter provides the perfect backdrop for self-care and introspection.
JESSICA NAPOLES, CHAIR Moreover, winter can be a time of preparation, akin to nature storing

Jessica.Napoles@unt.edu

energy and nutrients underground in anticipation of the coming spring
bloom. It’s an excellent moment to set intentions, plan ahead, and lay the
groundwork for future endeavors. Whether in personal goals, professional
aspirations, or even household projects, the stillness of winter offers an
ADVOCACY STATEMENT ideal canvas for strategic thinking and planning.
Culturally, various traditions and celebrations during winter—such as
The human spirit is elevated to a broader understanding holidays and festivals—encourage connections with loved ones, fostering
of itself and its place in the world through the study of and
participation in choral music. Singing in a choir produces a sense of community and warmth. These moments of togetherness serve
more active and involved citizens. It affects self-worth as a reminder of the importance of relationships and provide a sense of
in youth and adults. It builds connectivity throughout comfort during the colder months.
communities. Society benefits from the aesthetic beauty From a broader perspective, nature itself demonstrates the importance
and community of singers created by choral programs of winter as a period of rejuvenation. Many plants and animals use this
within schools, houses of worship, and community time to rest, regenerate, and prepare for the upcoming growth season.
organizations through involved citizenry, connectivity
throughout communities, and feelings of personal self- Likewise, humans can draw inspiration from nature’s wisdom and use this
worth. The American Choral Directors Association and season to nurture their own growth and renewal.
its membership resolve to ensure the survival of choral In essence, instead of resisting or enduring the winter months, embrac-
programs for this and future generations by: ing them as a time of rejuvenation and preparation can be immensely
Actively voicing support for funding at local, state, rewarding. By allowing ourselves to slow down, reflect, plan, and priori-
and national levels of education and government; tize self-care, we can emerge from winter with renewed energy, ready to
collaborating with local and national organizations to embrace the vibrancy and possibilities that spring holds. Winter actually
ensure the distribution of arts funding data and arts- becomes a season of growth, setting the stage for the beauty of the seasons
related activism opportunities; advocating for full access ahead.
to choral singing and inclusion of all singers in a choral
program; and ensuring the distribution of advocacy
statements and data regarding choral programs.
2 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5