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ACDA NATIONAL
Alphabetical Listing of Interest Sessions
2025 2025 ACDA National Conference March 18-22, 2025 Dallas, Texas
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Insight Choir Sessions (Open to Both Tracks) )
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acks
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March 18-22 Dallas, TX Insigh t C hoir S essions
Exploring the Negro Spirituals and Shelter Me:
Anthems by Lela Anderson Sharing Stories of Our Unhoused
Neighbors through Music

Friday 9:00 am - 9:50 am
First United Methodist Church Saturday 9:00 am - 9:50 am

Sanctuary Moody Performance Hall
Auditorium

Many composers today have drawn inspiration from
early Negro spirituals by using call-and-response tech- This session will feature singers from the Dallas
niques, syncopated rhythms, and embellishments. The Street Choir, the University of Texas at Dallas, the
purpose of this session is to explore the spiritual ar- Credo Community Choir, conductor-teacher Jona-
rangements and anthems of Lela Anderson, a Texas than Palant, and composer-lyricist Jacob Ryan Smith.
native and celebrated composer/arranger of negro Together, we will explore the transformative power
spirituals and anthems. Lela Anderson and Demetrius of communal singing and how every choral rehearsal
Robinson will guide the insight choir through the inter- serves as a beacon of connection for those too often
pretation and performance practice of various spiritual isolated. Hear selections from Shelter Me: An Original
arrangements and anthems. Attendees will leave the Rock Oratorio, commissioned by the Dallas Street Choir,
session with a greater awareness of Anderson’s choral which chronicles one man’s sudden journey through
works and her inspiration for writing, a resource guide homelessness. His steadfast companion is an older man
including a set of octavos to incorporate in their choral who is well versed in the trials of homelessness. Shelter
library, and practical strategies to assist in performing Me is based on the real-life experiences of Dallas Street
Anderson’s works with authenticity and respect. Choir members and offers hope and resilience in the
face of adversity.
The Prairie View A&M University Concert Chorale will
be the insight choir for this session. Their photo and Singers from the Dallas Street Choir, UT Dallas, and
bio are on page 36. the Credo Community Choir will be featured in this ses-
sion, led by conductor Jonathan Palant with composer
Demetrius Robinson will be the clinician for this ses- Jacob Ryan Smith. Together, we will explore how the
sion. His photo and bio are on page 37. transformative power of communal singing fosters con-
nection for our unhoused neighbors. (Re)discover how

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CHORAL JOURNAL January 2025 Volume 65 Number 5 69