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2025 ACDA National Conference March 18-22, 2025 Dallas, Texas

ing with prospective singers; and 3) creating engaging that perpetuates a one-dimensional perspective on mu-
musical experiences that encourage singer retention. sic by historically excluded composers. This session will
Focusing on identifying and developing recruitment conclude with a comprehensive list of accessible reper-
efforts that appeal to the broader community and at toire and resources that will help participants shift their
all musical levels, this session will include strategies to DEI practices to create more welcoming, safe, and joy-
make meaningful connections in order to build and centered choral spaces.
grow a choral program.
Alyssa Cossey is a conductor, singer, edu-
Jennifer Sengin serves on the choral fac- cator, and scholar. She is a contributing
ulty at the University of Missouri-Kansas author for a new textbook on women
City, where she leads the graduate choral composers (edited by Hilary Apfelstadt),
conducting program and conducts the an inaugural member of mirabai, and is
flagship ensemble, Conservatory Sing- associate director of choral activities at Coastal Caroli-
ers, and the Choral Union. In addition to ensembles, na University. She was previously an assistant professor
Sengin teaches graduate choral conducting and choral of choral music at the University of Arizona. Prior to
literature. She participated as a conducting fellow with that, she taught middle and high school choir in South-
ACDA’s International Conductor Exchange Program ern California for nearly a decade. Cossey holds de-
to Germany. Choirs under her direction have won the grees from Michigan State University, California State
American Prize and were invited to perform at the University-Fullerton, and California State Polytechnic
NCCO Conference and GMEA conference. An active University-Pomona.
guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter,
Sengin has conducted honor choirs across the country.

Setting the Tone:
Voice Placement for Choirs
(re)sounding Joy:
Shifting Paradigms for DEI Work
in Choral Spaces Wednesday 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm
National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Grand Salon
Saturday 9:00 am - 9:50 am
First United Methodist Church
Crossroads Do you wonder why some voices “stick out” in your
choir? Do some chords just not seem to tune even
though your singers have learned their music? Perhaps
Utilizing trauma-informed and equity-centered all your singers need is a new seating chart. Group
approaches, this session addresses common DEI pro- voice placement techniques can achieve a variety of
gramming practices and pitfalls. Attendees will gain goals including balance, timbre, and musicianship. In
strategies for reframing or replacing potentially trigger- this session, we will explore various placement theories
ing or trauma-centered music through an examination and discuss their benefits to help singers to improve
of common choral practices that may be unintention- their sound efficiently. Attendees will have the oppor-
ally traumatizing for singers. Additionally, we will ex- tunity to take part in voice placement processes within
plore current challenges and common shortcomings of their own vocal parts as well as experience a variety of
DEI work in choral spaces—including programming standing positions.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2025 Volume 65 Number 5 59