Page 60 - CJJan24

2024 ACDA Midwestern Region Conference

Interest Sessions
In t er est S essions

Voices in Transition: mittees. Under her direction, Bexley H.S. Vocal En-
Gender Inclusive Choral Voicings semble has performed at NAfME and ACDA state con-
ferences, including Central Region performances in
2012, 2016, and 2020. Blosser is the associate director
The session will provide choral voicing options to of music at First Community Church and the artistic
meet the needs of both the changing transgender voice director of the Bexley Choral Society. She was selected
and those of cis-gender singers. As choir directors are to serve as one of fourteen conducting fellows for the
faced with more students who identify as transgender, 2015 ACDA International Conductors Exchange Pro-
the need to be able to chose literature that meets those gram to Sweden.
needs is imperative. In addition to existing voicings, op-
tions for adapting scores with a new “flex” part using C. Andrew Blosser serves on the voice
guidelines created by Stevie J. Hirner will be included. faculty at The Ohio State University, and
is the director of music at First Com-
Roger Emerson will be the clinician for this session. His munity Church in Columbus, Ohio. He
photo and bio are on page 27. has presented master classes, performed
roles, and given recitals throughout the United States
and Europe. Blosser has been a featured soloist with
orchestras and ensembles throughout the Midwest. He
You Are the Voice Teacher: served as cantor for services at the Berlin Cathedral, as
Teaching Technique and Authenticity well as soloist for Mozart’s Missa Longa at the Salzburg

of Vocal Production in Choral Singing Cathedral. A recent project includes a performance on
the recital Singing Our History, the American story told
through the works of American composers, at NATS.
“Blend. Drop your jaw. Straight tone. Darker.” Most Blosser holds degrees from The Ohio State University
people have likely heard one of these phrases before (DMA & MM) and Capital University (BM).
in a choir, but do these ideas really help inexperienced
singers? What terminology can we use to give clarity
to singers that connects them in a relatable way and
takes away some of the mystery? By bringing concepts
and skills from voice pedagogy into the choral rehears- Midwestern Region Registration Information
al, conductors can better support their singers in their
vocal development. This session will provide practical
applications of how to teach singers to find and use Register at acda.org/region-conferences
their authentic voices by sharing suggestions from vari-
ous vocal pedagogy approaches, including Estill Voice. Attendee $290 Retired $215 Student $100
It is applicable to directors working with high school,
college and older community singers. Registration after 11:59 PM CST January 17, 2024

Amy Johnston Blosser was the audi- Attendee $340 Retired $240 Student $120
tioned choirs chair for the 2023 ACDA
National Conference and for nine years One-Day Registration $190 (only available on-site)
was on the national board as the R&R
committee chairperson. Since 2013 she
has served on the national conference planning com-

58 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5