Page 146 - CJJanuary2026

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

N ew H oriz ons Immersion Da y - W ednesda y
New Horizons Immersion Day - Wednesday

Collegiate High School Jazz

More, Please! The Vocal Jazz Director’s Playbook:
What a Lifetime of Tasting, Cooking, and Eating Great Rep, Groove, and Musical Integrity
Food Has Taught Me About Teaching Music

Directing a vocal jazz ensemble that is impactful,
Conducting requires extraordinary preparation, the educational, and meaningful to both performers and
right repertoire, organization, commitment to excel- audience members is so much more than just “the
lence, and a moral obligation not to poison the popu- show.” It’s about cultivating a sound, a style, and an
lace. Are you looking to run the most efficient rehears- artistic vision that inspires. This session offers direc-
als, choose and prepare great scores, and organize a tors practical tools for building a successful ensemble,
three-star program? The French Kitchen Brigade Sys- from selecting repertoire, to teaching authentic swing
tem—designed in the nineteenth century by Auguste and groove, to fostering musical integrity in rehearsal
Escoffier—can provide unexpectedly delicious answers. and performance. Participants will leave with strategies
In this session, Jonathan Talberg will share what he’s fig- to balance technical precision with expressive artistry,
ured out thanks to Julia Child, Thomas Keller, Jacques empowering singers to connect deeply with the music
Pépin, and a Barefoot Contessa named Ina. while keeping the joy, energy, and creativity of vocal
jazz at the center.
Jonathan Talberg will be the clinician for this session.
His photo and bio are on page 171. Christine Helferich Guter will be the clinician for this
session. Her photo and bio are on page 171.

2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference

Music in W orship Immersion Da y - T hursda y
Music in Worship Immersion Day - Thursday

The Southwestern ACDA Region invites church concludes with an inspiring Ecumenical Service, cele-
musicians to a rich day of learning, conversation, and brating the diversity of worship traditions through cho-
worship at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown ral artistry. This gathering is more than a workshop—it
Albuquerque. The Music in Worship Immersion Day is a community, a chance to learn from experts, share
offers a series of engaging sessions led by distinguished experiences, and renew your vision for music ministry.
leaders in the field, providing fresh perspectives and If you are a church musician, this is the place to be.
practical ideas for today’s church settings. At midday,
participants will gather for a lively roundtable discus-
sion over lunch, creating opportunities for connection
and exchange with fellow church musicians. The day

144 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5