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

Interest Sessions
In t er est S essions

rale. 29:11 International Exchange is a professional
music ministry from South Africa. The ensemble has Sounds Before Sight:
been a featured collaborator with the Minnesota Or- Sight-Reading with Voice Quality
chestra on each of 29:11’s last three U.S. tours.
Research suggests that better sight-readers tend to be
Carl Clomon is the music director for the better performers. Yet few research studies have inves-
Amazing Grace Chorus and minister of tigated the effect of voice quality training on pitch ac-
music at Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist curacy, intonation, and expressive sight-singing scores.
Church. He composes pop, R&B, classi- This workshop will explore the commonly assessed cat-
cal, and jazz tunes, specializing in gospel egories of sight-singing and integrate a “sounds first”
music. He has produced concerts at Twin Cities major perspective using the principles of Estill Voice Train-
venues, has performed as a keyboardist with national ing. These categories include rhythm, tempo, pitch,
and international recording artists, and has led music tone, intonation, and expression (including phrasing,
clinics and workshops locally. He chaired the board of articulation, and dynamics). We will answer questions
directors for Gospel Choirs United for over twenty-five about sequence of instruction and how many elements
years. Clomon completed a music composition major to focus on at one time and will also discuss strategies to
at Concordia University, St. Paul, in 2023 and is pursu- teach students how to analyze a score before sight-sing-
ing a master of business administration from the Uni- ing. Participants will actively engage in a sight-singing
versity of St. Thomas. activity and label their attractor state habits.

Brian J. Winnie will be the clinician for this session. His
Singing Makes the World Go ‘Round: photo and bio are on page 47.

A Relational Pedagogy

This session will use singing and interactive elements The Virtuoso Conductor:
to invite participants to consider a pedagogy of rela- Solutions for the Most
tionships that fosters belonging, awakens artistry, em-
powers creativity, affirms identities, and creates a space Challenging Conducting Problems
for courageous singing that seeks to bridge across differ-
ences. Members of the VocalEssence Singers Of This This session is a deep dive into the most challeng-
Age (SOTA) will share how the “family” has shaped ing conducting problems and practical solutions so
their lives in ways both expected and unexpected. Four our gestures are clear and artistically communicate the
SOTA case studies will provide a framework for em- composer’s intent. Using excerpts from the repertoire,
bracing transformational relationships that nurture the Frank Eychaner will identify specific challenges and
development of diverse choral communities, and pro- then lead participants to effectively conduct the music
vide more compelling musical experiences for our sing- themselves. Some topics to be addressed will include
ers, our communities, and ourselves. the four types of fermatas, tempo changes, utilizing dry
beats and beats of de-emphasis to effectively commu-
G Phillip Shoultz III will be the clinician for this session. nicate the artistry of a work, achieving an independent
His photo and bio are on page 46. left hand and its essential role in artistry, understand-
ing how publishers use notation to reveal the compos-
er‘s intent, effectively conducting asymmetrical meter,

56 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5