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2026 ACDA Eastern Region Conference February 25-28, 2026 Providence, Rhode Island

In t er est S essions
Interest Sessions

pleted coursework for a DMA in choral conducting at Julianna LoBiondo is assistant professor
Yale University and holds degrees from Western Mich- of choral music education and associ-
igan University and Wheaton College (IL). Before her ate director of choral activities at the
graduate studies, Winchell taught high school in Chi- University of New Mexico. She earned
cagoland and worked as a teaching artist at the Good- degrees from the University of North
man Theatre. She enjoys presenting and guest conduct- Texas, Ithaca College, and The College of New Jersey.
ing for clinics, workshops, and honor choirs across the Her research areas include disability critical studies, fat
country. studies, and music teacher education. Her research can
be found in the Journal of Music Teacher Education and
Visions of Research in Music Education.
Good Treble:

Envisioning a Choral World Beyond Hierarchy Love City Sings!

In the realm of choral music, long-standing hierar- Philly Youth Learning Songs
chies among ensemble types have influenced our per- in the Aural-Oral Tradition
ceptions and practices, particularly regarding treble,
mixed, and tenor-bass choirs. This session invites us to This session will explore Love City Sings: a free, in-
visualize a choral landscape where every voice has a clusive, participatory day of singing that brings togeth-
place and treble ensembles are embraced as equal con- er two hundred youth in Philadelphia to learn songs
tributors to the choral tradition. In this presentation, we in the aural-oral tradition from community experts. All
aim to uncover historical biases related to treble choirs, are welcome to “come as they are” regardless of cho-
acknowledge both the growth and challenges remain- ral experience to “be” in the aural-oral tradition with
ing in contemporary treble ensembles, and provide their peers. Unlike typical high school choral festivals
suggestions for choral directors to support their treble where singers (and their instructors) prepare music
singers. By examining history, addressing current chal- in advance, singers learn music in the aural-oral tra-
lenges, and envisioning future aspirations, we advocate dition to honor the tradition as a cultural experience
for meaningful changes that will uplift all voices for and rich way of teaching and learning music. In this
generations to come. session, participants will explore and experience how
the aural-oral tradition is an accessible framework for
J. Christine Linschoten has worked as teaching choral music and how it has particular rele-
a conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and vance for emerging choral programs in city schools. We
collaborative pianist across the United will learn a composition for the event by Norma Jean
States. She serves as the associate direc- Hughes called, “I am Enough.”
tor of choral activities at Texas State
University, where she conducts the Treble Choir and Whitney Covalle is a singer, researcher,
University Singers. She taught chorus in Florida and and choral music educator. Her research
Louisiana public schools for nine years. While in Flori- focuses on urban music education, the
da, her choirs performed at state, regional, and national aural-oral tradition, and the intersection
conferences. Linschoten holds degrees from Centenary of race and teaching music. She is assis-
College of Louisiana, Michigan State University, and tant professor of music education at Montclair State
the University of North Texas. University and is the conductor of a free youth choir in
Philadelphia. As an active clinician, Covalle leads par-
ticipatory singing events throughout the region, most

36 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5