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2026 ACDA Southern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Memphis, Tennessee

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Music in Worship Event cator in El Paso. Mims has served as conductor and pi-
anist for numerous high school all-region and all-state
choirs, as well for professional and university choruses.
Longing for Light His choirs have performed at state and regional con-
ferences, at Carnegie Hall, and in festivals in Bulgaria,
In a world filled with uncertainty, we long for light to Italy, and the Czech Republic. Mims has presented at
guide us. In this interfaith service we will look for light regional and national ACDA conferences and is pres-
together, raising our voices in song. We will sing and ident-elect of SCACDA. In 2022 he received second
hear familiar and beloved hymns/anthems. There will place for the Dale Warland Award in Choral Conduct-
also be new music, including “Shine, O Light,” a new ing. Mims holds degrees from Hardin-Simmons Uni-
hymn setting of HYFRYDOL by Terre Johnson. The versity and UMKC.
featured performing ensemble is the Inspirar Choir
from Rock Hill, SC, conducted by Jeremy Mims.
Presider
Inspirar

Emily Floyd is the director of traditional
music at Covenant Presbyterian Church,
Charlotte. A graduate of The Florida
State University, she has served as direc-
tor of music in various congregational
settings, including Shallowford Presbyterian Church
(Atlanta) and First Baptist Church (Asheville). Addi-
tionally, Floyd serves as the president of Presbyterian
Association of Musicians and music in worship R&R
chair for Southern ACDA. Her ministry has long been
marked by a strong congregational focus coupled with
Inspirar is a nonprofit ensemble based in Rock Hill, a vigorous connection to the wider music community.
South Carolina. They strive to engage, educate, impact,
and inspire audiences through exceptional, high-level
choral singing; promote unity and harmony through Requiem for Colour:
the performance of diverse choral literature; and pro- A Pre-Concert Talk
vide transformative, awe-inspiring choral performanc-
es to listeners and supporters. They are composed of
conductors, voice teachers, and performers committed The composer will share the impetus for Requiem
to providing quality performances for their community. for Colour: A Journey through Lament and Joy. Jeffery Ames
will lead the listener into a deeper dive of the meaning,
Jeremy Mims is associate professor of understanding, and celebration for this momentous
music and director of choral activities at work. An explanation of the title and symbolism will
Winthrop University. Previously he was be shared, as well as a short description of each move-
on the faculties of Clarke University and ment. An invitation is extended to share, learn, and cel-
Whitman College, where he conducted ebrate a resilient American culture.
the choirs and orchestra, and was a public school edu-

104 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5