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2026 ACDA Eastern Region Conference






 The sacred choral music website developed    Conference Overview

 by choir directors for choir directors  Dear Friends and Colleagues,  mitment of our colleagues, offering programs that in-

                                                            spire, dismantle barriers, and demonstrate the richness
                             It is with great joy that I invite   and vibrancy of our shared art.
                           you to ENVISION 2026, the East-    The honor choirs  remain a true  heartbeat of the
                           ern ACDA Region Conference in    conference. This year, our four ensemble experiences—
                           Providence, Rhode Island, Febru-  SATB, SSAA, Middle School Gospel, and Contempo-
        Amanda Hanzlik     ary 25–28, 2026. ENVISION calls   rary A Cappella Fusion—will include much more than
                           us to create a world where choral   rehearsals and presenting concerts. Students will attend
        music is embraced and celebrated as an essential ex-  headliner concerts, participate in improvisatory and cir-
        pression of humanity. Together, we will imagine a future   cle singing experiences, learn from pop music industry
        where choral music is woven into culture and everyday   experts, and personally engage with the composers of
        life, reaching beyond the classroom and concert hall.   the extraordinary commissioned works that have been
        Where every singer, composer, and audience member   created for them.
        is valued and where every voice belongs.              Our sessions are designed to spark imagination and
           This conference will be a time of artistry, discovery,   equip us for the future. Highlights include the contempo-
        and connection. Our headlining ensembles bring ex-  rary and commercial choral panel, innovative resources
        traordinary vision to the stage: Elevation (Dr. Arreon   for elementary and middle school choirs, meaningful
        A. Harley-Emerson), whose performances embody eq-   explorations of music in worship, a stunning lineup of
        uity, authenticity, and innovation; mirabai (Dr. Sandra   student masterclass clinicians and forward-looking per-
        Snow), amplifying women’s  voices through ground-   spectives from our insight and immersion choirs, which
        breaking repertoire; and the New York City Gay Men’s   include Latin American, African, gospel, and social jus-
        Chorus (John J.  Atorino),  whose legacy of  activism   tice repertoire.
        continues to  inspire. Partnering  with commissioned   Finally, the One-Night Choir, led by Matt Goldstein,
        composers Scott  Hoying  (NYCGMC),  Shara  Nova     founder of the Gaia Music Collective, will bring us to-
        (mirabai) and Kyle Pederson (Elevation), each of these     gether in song—an unforgettable reminder that when
        ensembles reminds us that choral singing is a force for   voices unite, barriers dissolve and community flourishes.
        both beauty and change.                               As we gather in Providence, let us recommit to eq-
           We are also proud to highlight our performing choirs,   uity, collaboration, and imagination. Together, we will
        a combination of collegiate, community, and K-12 en-  ENVISION  a future where choral music  thrives—in
        sembles selected from across the Eastern Region. These   our schools, on our stages, and in the lives of all people.
        ensembles represent the creativity, diversity, and com-



 Search thousands of songs suited for   Eastern Region Conference Registration Information

 choirs of every size and skill level  Attendee $350    Retired $250   Student $125   until January 15  at 11:59 PM CST


                           Attendee $390    Retired $275   Student $150  January 16 - February 28


 BROWSE TITLES                            One Day $200  only available on site
 ocpchoral.com
                                       Register at acda.org/region-conferences


        CHORAL JOURNAL  January 2026                                                                                        Volume 66  Number 5          9
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