Page 140 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Horizons Immersion Day - Wednesday
ednesda
W
y
ons Immersion Da
y -
oriz
N
ew H
insights from both composers who write commissioned performing translated choral works to arranging folk
works (including Kyle Pederson) and directors of all songs, questions arise about cultural engagement. Is it
levels who have led successful commissions. We will ex- acceptable to perform religious music outside its con-
plore timelines, communication tips, collaborative best text? Can anyone arrange African American spirituals?
practices, and how to participate in consortiums or This session encourages reflection on these issues and
co-commissions if your budget is tight. Attendees will invites a conversation about the ethical responsibilities
walk away with practical tools, clear expectations, and of musicians navigating cultural boundaries.
the confidence to bring new music into the world.
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli is an Argentinian
Nathan Wubbena holds a BME from the American conductor and teacher and the
University of Northern Colorado and an director of choral studies at the University
MME with a conducting specialization of Kansas. He earned two undergraduate
from Colorado State University. He has degrees from state conservatories in Ar-
taught and conducted ensembles for all gentina, an MM from Westminster Choir College, and
ages across Colorado, specializing in choral, musical a DMA from the University of Houston. His choirs
theater, and contemporary genres. Wubbena is artistic have performed at state, national, and international
director of the Boulder Children’s Chorale and Long- events, including TMEA, NCCO, WMEA, WCDA,
mont Chorale and is founder and board president of KMEA, the International Choral Festival in Panama,
Ascent Vocals. A frequent guest clinician and conduc- and multiple tours in Europe and South America. He
tor, he has led honor choirs statewide and adjudicates made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2011 and
at ACDA festivals. He is chair emeritus of the Colora- returned in 2015 and 2017. García-Novelli has been
do middle all-state choir board and received CMEA’s a guest conductor, lecturer, and clinician with engage-
Outstanding Young Music Educator Award in 2015. ments in the US, Europe, China and South America.
He lives in Longmont with his family and is committed His ensembles have won first prizes at international
to making music accessible to all, fostering joy, collabo- competitions. He has served on the boards of WCDA,
ration, and community through singing. NCACDA, and as a national officer for NCCO.

Rayvon T. J. Moore, a Southern Califor-
College and University Choirs/ nia native, is assistant professor of music
World Musics and Cultures and director of choral studies at Friends
University and artistic director of the
Wichita Chamber Chorale. An acclaimed
conductor and baritone, he leads Friends’s internation-
Navigating Cultural Appropriation ally recognized Singing Quakers, performing domes-
in Choral Music tically and in Spain and Portugal. Moore has been a
national finalist for the American Prize Dale Warland
This session will explore the complexities of cultural Choral Conducting Award and was recognized in 2023
appropriation in choral music, focusing on the challeng- by the Wichita Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. He has
es of borrowing and performing music across cultures. guest-conducted and served as chorus master with
Using the analogy of the British Museum’s display of Wichita Grand Opera, Forum Theatre, and Crown
an ancient Babylonian vase, we’ll discuss how cultural Arts Collaborative. Moore holds degrees from USC,
ownership can be ambiguous for intangible forms like CSU Fullerton, and Eastman School of Music, and
music. Musicians often balance the sharing of tradi- specializes in conducting gesture and musical interpre-
tions with respecting their cultural significance. From tation.

138 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5