Page 68 - CJJanuary2026

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

Interest Sessions
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Elisabeth Cherland (she/her) is a leads a comprehensive vocal music pro-
fourth-generation choral conductor as gram for grades six through eight. He
well as professor, singer, song leader, vio- holds degrees from Vanderbilt University
linist, and Lutheran church musician. As (BM, MME) and Michigan State Univer-
director of choral activities at Minnesota sity (MM in choral conducting). Clark
State University, Mankato, she teaches courses in choral has taught at both middle and high school levels and
methods, conducting, theory, private voice, and conducts regularly presents on standards-based grading, curric-
the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Cherland ulum development, and adolescent vocal technique. A
earned a DMA in choral conducting at the University committed advocate for student-centered music edu-
of Washington, an MME with certification degree from cation, he fosters a classroom environment focused on
VanderCook College of Music, and a bachelor’s in mu- growth, creativity, and collaboration. He frequently
sic and English from Concordia College in Moorhead, serves as a clinician and guest conductor.
Minnesota. Her research interests include women in
academia, feminist and narrative research, and song
leading and aural pedagogy. She lives with her partner
and two children in St. Peter, Minnesota, and loves sto- Supporting Sopranos
ry-telling and story-hearing, knitting, bubble tea, and in the Choral Ensemble
sunshine when it’s available.

Do the sopranos in your ensemble complain of vo-
cal fatigue? Do you want to help them to be successful?

Standards-Based Grading Sopranos face a unique challenge in that their part is
often the most audible and can be difficult to sing with
in the 6–12 Music Curriculum healthy vocal technique. There can be a disconnect be-

tween what they learn in private lessons versus what
Discover how Standards-Based Grading (SBG) can they are asked to do in a choral rehearsal regarding
bring clarity, consistency, and equity to grades six to vibrato, resonance, diction/vowel modification, and
twelve music assessment. This session shifts the focus register shifts. This session is based on interviews with
from points and participation to mastery of clearly sopranos who have made careers both as soloists and
defined learning goals aligned with the National Core ensemble singers, and will give you tools to help the
Arts Standards. Led by a teacher using SBG since 2018, sopranos in your choirs to be successful. Although this
you’ll see real examples from ensemble, general music, session gives specific advice for sopranos, much of it
and composition classes. Learn to create rubrics, de- can easily be applied to other voice parts.
sign student-friendly learning targets, and track growth
with digital tools. Whether you’re new to SBG or re- Christiana Howell directs the Women’s
fining your system, you’ll gain practical strategies and Choir, All-College Choir, and teach-
solutions to common challenges such as communicat- es private voice at the College of Saint
ing grades to students and families. Leave with rubrics, Benedict and Saint John’s College in St.
lesson materials, and a digital tracker to support mean- Joseph, Minnesota. An active singer, she
ingful, student-centered assessment. is a soprano with the Minnesota Renaissance Choir,
Bach Roots, and The Summer Singers, and has sung
Matthew Clark is the choral director at Daniel Wright in professional choirs and opera choruses in the United
Junior High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where he States and abroad. She holds degrees in music educa-

66 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5