Page 56 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Midwestern Region Conference February 25-28, 2026 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Performing Choirs
P er f orming C hoirs

Isthmus Vocal Ensemble Lawrence University
Cantala

Cantala is a select ensemble comprising SSAA voices
The Isthmus Vocal Ensemble was founded in 2002 (mostly first year and sophomores) whose fields of study
and has maintained itself as one of Madison’s most represent the broad diversity in a liberal arts education.
beloved summer musical traditions. The sixty-mem- Founded in the fall of 2000, the choir performs litera-
ber, all-volunteer choir gathers each July for two in- ture that includes traditional advanced treble literature,
tensive weeks of rehearsal, culminating in a weekend world, folk, and contemporary works. They perform
of performances for the community. Initially draw- and record newly commissioned compositions by estab-
ing from alumni of the UW-Madison Concert Choir, lished and emerging composers from around the world,
the membership now includes singers from across the with over seventy works since 2002. Cantala annually
Midwest and beyond. Founding artistic director Scott joins forces with all LU choirs and orchestra in perfor-
MacPherson led the ensemble from its inception until mances of choral/orchestral masterworks.
2017, building a foundation of musical excellence and
fellowship that flourishes to this day under current mu- Phillip A. Swan is director of choral stud-
sic director Michael McGaghie. ies at Lawrence University and musical
director for LU musicals. Swan directs
Michael McGaghie joined the Isthmus Cantala and LU Vocal Spectrum and
Vocal Ensemble as artistic director in teaches courses in conducting and music
2018. As professor of music and director education. He serves as artistic director for NEWVoices
of choral activities at Macalester Col- and was the recipient of the 2016 Chorus America Ed-
lege, he conducts the Macalester Concert ucation and Community Engagement Award. Swan has
Choir and Chorale and teaches courses in musician- conducted Cantala at two ACDA national conferences
ship, music history, and conducting. An advocate for (2011 and 2019); four regional conferences (2006, 2014,
the music of living composers, he has commissioned 2018, and 2022); and one state conference (2004). He
and premiered works by Dominick Argento, Saunder participated in ACDA’s 2014 International Conductor
Choi, Dominick DiOrio, Jocelyn Hagen, Tarik O’Re- Exchange Program to China and serves as state pres-
gan, Jake Runestad, and Dale Trumbore, among oth- ident for the Wisconsin CDA. Swan received degrees
ers. He has served in multiple leadership roles within from Concordia College (Moorhead), UT El Paso, and
the NCCO. the University of Miami (Florida).

54 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5