Page 95 - CJJan24

2024 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference February 27 - March 2, 2024 Denver, Colorado

Immersion Da ys
Immersion Days

Immersion Day Sessions - Wednesday, February 28 Bridging Choral Generations:
Embassy Suites Embracing Perspectives from

Multiple Career Stages
7:30 AM - 8:50 AM: Breakfast @ Embassy Atrium

Featuring Francis Cathlina and Galen Darrough,
this session brings together perspectives on topics like
Retiree inclusion, choral music and gender, and balanced cho-
ral programming. The session will address finding a
Mark Lawley and A. Jan Taylor, Coordinators
balance between social justice works, contemporary
choral literature, and all that is to glean from the his-
Mark Lawley is a retired choral conductor torical choral canon.
with four decades of success. He has held
leadership roles that included president Francis Cathlina (he/him) is a distin-
of the Southwestern ACDA Region, Mis- guished Vietnamese American conductor
souri Choral Directors Association, and and educator known for innovative pro-
South Central Missouri MEA. He is High School R&R gramming that seamlessly weaves choral
Chair at MCDA and serves on National ACDA’s Edu- music with narrative. As the director of
cation and Communication Committee. Lawley holds choral activities at the University of Memphis Rudi E.
a bachelor’s in piano from Evangel University and a Scheidt School of Music, he provides visionary leader-
master’s in conducting from Missouri State University. ship for the Choral Area, conducts flagship choirs, and
Lawley founded renowned choral ensembles and re- oversees choral conducting programs. Cathlina's East-
ceived multiple awards for his dedication to music edu- ern heritage deeply influences his teaching philosophy,
cation, culminating in a 2018 National Federation of emphasizing collaboration and rigor. He was named
State Schools Associations Music Educator of the Year a National Finalist for The American Prize in Choral
Award. Conducting. He holds a DMA from the University of
North Texas, an MM from Michigan State University,
A. Jan Taylor, an accomplished educa- and a BME from Baylor University.
tor, pianist, singer, and choral conductor,
recently retired as the director of choral Galen Darrough is a distinguished profes-
music activities at Prairie View A&M sor emeritus with a wealth of experience
University. She holds a BM from the Uni- spanning twenty-four states, several Ca-
versity of Houston, an MA from Prairie View A&M nadian provinces, and Latin America. He
University, and a DMA from the University of Hous- has directed, adjudicated, and offered his
ton. Taylor’s impressive career includes teaching music, expertise to choirs from junior and senior high schools
adjudicating choral competitions, and performing as to universities. His leadership led the University of
a singer with esteemed professional choral ensembles. Northern Colorado Concert Choir to be among the
She is a recognized authority on African American few choirs chosen NCCO’s national conference. He
spirituals and has conducted internationally acclaimed received the Douglas R. McEwen Award for Choral
choral groups. Excellence from Arizona State University. Darrough’s
passion for choral music continues as a lecturer in cho-
ral music at the University of Colorado Boulder.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5 93