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

creative process and intuition retreats into a regiment Once an audience member becomes familiar with the
of rules that no one should gatekeep. Session attendees melodic or harmonic elements of a song they are hear-
should be ready and willing to conduct with your left ing from the stage, they are more likely to add their
hand only; be willing to explore decisions concerning voices to the performance when invited to do so. By
musical intuition and the choices we want to make but employing the aural/oral tradition, a culturally rooted
rarely do; be okay with communicating through facial practice of teaching and preserving vocal music, audi-
expressions; and be open to rethinking “gesture” and ence members can fully participate in singing without
all that comes with it. needing to read a printed score. This session will focus
on repertoire and strategies for teaching choral music
Gary Packwood will be the clinician for this session. His in the aural/oral tradition as a means of enhancing au-
photo and bio are on page 170. dience engagement.

Rollo Dilworth will be the clinician for this session. His
7th-9th Grade Treble photo and bio are on page 171.

The Voice in Motion 12th Grade Mixed

Join Elizabeth Núñez, creative director of the
world-renowned Young People’s Chorus of New York Voices in Exile
City, in this engaging workshop that explores the power-
ful relationship between singing and movement. Draw- Throughout its tumultuous history, the Russian state
ing from her extensive experience over two decades in forced into exile scores of its greatest talents: compos-
curriculum development and collaboration with profes- ers, writers, dancers, and visual artists. Those who re-
sional artists, Núñez will show you how to help your mained faced the challenge of creating under relentless
singers connect with their bodies and unlock new levels censorship and the constant threat of persecution. This
of expression while also improving their vocal sound session explores choral music written in exile and high-
and building confidence that leads to an impactful stage lights the strength, ingenuity, and faith that sustained
presence. Leave this session with actionable takeaways composers such as Shostakovich, Schnittke, Prokofiev,
to elevate your choir’s artistry and create unforgettable and Sviridov, who continued writing and performing
performances. under the regime’s pressure; as well as Rachmani-
noff, Stravinsky, Gretchaninoff, and Gubaidulina, who
Elizabeth Núñez will be the clinician for this session. found themselves far from their native land, language,
Her photo and bio are on page 170. and culture.

Elena Sharkova will be the clinician for this session.
10th-11th Grade Mixed Her photo and bio are on page 171.

Enhancing Audience Engagement

Through the Aural/Oral Tradition

When programming a concert, choral directors
sometimes consider repertoire choices that enable their
audiences to feel more connected to the performance.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 143