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

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Vocal Artists of Iowa
Concert Choir

Concert Choir is one of six choral ensembles at the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Concert Choir Vocal Artists of Iowa is a semi-professional choir
performed at the 1996, 1998, and 2019 ACDA Region based in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City whose mem-
Conferences and the 1997 ACDA National Confer- bership draws primarily upon the region’s community
ence. The choir has performed at five Wisconsin MEA members, music professionals, and music educators.
Conventions and at the Wisconsin Choral Directors VAoI is a project-based group that performs five to six
Association Convention. The Concert Choir has per- concerts per year, with rehearsals and performance
formed with outstanding orchestras including the Min- dates dictated by the availability of its constituency.
nesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Featured and invited performances have included the
San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Iowa Choral Director’s Association Choral Showcase
Brass. The ensemble has traveled to Europe on eight in 2018 and 2023, the Luther College Dorian Summer
concert tours, including two appearances at the anni- Music Festival, the ICDA Summer Symposium, and
versaries of the D-Day Invasion in France. the Midwestern ACDA Region Conference.

Frank A. Watkins is an associate professor David Haas is director of choral music
of music and director of choral studies at at West High School in Iowa City, Iowa;
the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. founder and artistic director of Vocal
Watkins taught secondary choral music Artists of Iowa, a semi-professional choir
in Texas for six years. He holds degrees based out of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa
from Jackson State University (BM), the University of City area; and a PhD candidate in music education
Arkansas (MM), Northwestern University (MM), and at the University of Iowa. At West High, Haas directs
Michigan State University (DMA). In 2016 he was Treble Choir, Iowa City West Singers, and leads sev-
appointed conductor and music director of the Eau eral sections of Digital Music Production. Prior to his
Claire Chamber Orchestra. Choirs under his direc- tenure at Iowa City West, Haas held church choir and
tion have performed at the Wisconsin Music Educators public school teaching positions in Iowa, South Dako-
State Conference (2018, 2023); Wisconsin Choral Di- ta, and Florida. He holds a BA in vocal performance
rector’s Association State Conference (2023), and the from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and an MM
North Central ACDA Region (2020). in choral conducting from the Florida State University.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5 45