Page 66 - CJJan25

ACDA NATIONAL
Alphabetical Listing of Interest Sessions
2025 2025 ACDA National Conference March 18-22, 2025 Dallas, Texas
est S
essions
er
In
t
pen t
O
(
o
acks
)
r
B
oth T
March 18-22 Dallas, TX Interest Sessions (Open to Both Tracks)
strategies and overall rehearsal planning. Hillis’s step- leave with tangible resources, including new octavos,
by-step approach will be presented, along with samples curriculum strategies, and programming ideas to assist
of her marked scores. During her teaching career, she with enriching their rehearsal experience and prepar-
promoted this method as being applicable to diverse ing the next generation of choral singers.
genres and levels of repertoire. It remains the gold
standard. Amy Kotsonis is the director of cho-
ral activities at the University of New
Cheryl Frazes Hill is the director of the Hampshire, where she conducts Cham-
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and asso- ber Singers and Concert Choir, and
ciate director of the Chicago Symphony teaches choral methods. She is also the
Chorus. Now in her forty-eighth season artistic director for the Community Chorus at South
with the CSO, she was mentored by Mar- Berwick. Previously, Kotsonis was associate professor
garet Hillis, who appointed her to the position of as- of choral ensembles and music education at the Uni-
sociate conductor of the symphony chorus. Frazes Hill versity of Northern Iowa, assistant conductor for the
is professor emerita at Roosevelt University’s Chicago young People’s Chorus of New York City, and taught
College of Performing Arts. Under her direction, her public school in Boston and New York City. She holds
Conservatory Chorus appeared at ACDA conferences degrees from New York University, the University of
and in widely varied performances, including appear- New Hampshire, and The Florida State University.
ances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the
Rolling Stones. Frazes Hill is the author of Margaret
Hillis Unsung Pioneer (GIA Publications).
Voices from the Light:
Reviving a Masterwork for Treble Voices

Together We Sing:

Celebrating the Power of the Treble Chorus Thursday 9:00 am - 9:50 am
First United Methodist Church
Sanctuary
Saturday 10:00 am - 10:50 am

Fairmont Dallas Hotel
In 1997, the Girls Choir of Harlem premiered Voices
Venetian Room from the Light, composed by African American composer
Dorothy Rudd Moore. As was unfortunately common
It is the conductor’s responsibility to cultivate dis- with pieces by persons of color, it remained largely un-
tinct identities and environments for each ensemble known for many years. Masterfully linking quotes from
within our program, ensuring they feel valued and leading African American poets and Negro Spirituals
unique. This session will explore ways to foster commu- amidst the tapestry of Moore’s own text and music, this
nity, inspire singers with relevant repertoire, and pro- piece deserves its rightful space in the choral canon. In
vide opportunities both within and beyond the treble this session, attendees will be presented with the back-
ensemble. Repertoire will be shared that is accessible, ground of the piece and composer, examination of the
allows singers to see themselves and those different text, musical analysis, as well as a performance of the
from them, all while having age-appropriate text that piece, complete with string quartet, oboe, and piano.
places them in a position of strength. Participants will

64 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2025 Volume 65 Number 5