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An Interview with the

2019 National Legacy Directors Chorus

Conductors

Compiled by Amanda Bumgarner

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in De-
cember 2019 as part of the ACDA sixtieth anniversary Briefly describe the experience of participating in
series. It has been condensed for this reprint to highlight ACDA’s Legacy Conductors Choir.
the interview with Charlene Archibeque, winner of the
2025 Robert Shaw Award, which was presented at the What an honor to be asked to be one of the conduc-
2025 ACDA National Conference in Dallas, Texas. tors of the Legacy Conductor Choir! Needless to say,
I was happy to be one of the women conductors and
happy to still be able to represent this age group—still
The National Legacy Directors Chorus was an able to walk, see, hear, and conduct! I was thankful that
exciting collaboration between eleven iconic con- so many fine singers/conductors were willing to miss
ductors and an intergenerational chorus at the 2019 so many interest sessions at the convention to take part
ACDA National Conference in Kansas City, Kan- in this experiment and hope that the experience was
sas. All eleven conductors received the same list of rewarding enough to merit their time and dedication! It
questions and chose several to respond to for this was fascinating to be able to be with the other conduc-
article. Note that not all conductors chose to partic- tors—my long-time friends—and observe again the el-
ipate in the interview. The responses are presented ements of their personalities, conducting, and rehearsal
in alphabetical order. techniques that have put their individual stamp on their
work throughout their careers.

Charlene Archibeque was the first wom- What do you think are the most striking changes
an to receive the doctorate of musical arts
in choral conducting. She prepared hun- (positive or negative) in choral music today?
dreds of choral directors and mentored
over eighty master’s students during her Two changes that have made a huge difference in
thirty-five-year tenure at San Jose State audience enjoyment: the incorporation of World Mu-
University. SJSU choirs performed for twenty-five pro- sic in programming and the use of choreography and
fessional conferences, and won seven international com- multimedia in concerts. The change that causes me
petitions, including Wales, Tallin, and Spittal. She has the most discomfort: the tendency to only program the
conducted festival choirs, honor choirs, and all-state “latest fad composers.” This results in concerts lacking
choirs in forty-six states and six Canadian provinces. in variety, strength, and often emotional satisfaction.

58 CHORAL JOURNAL June/July 2025 Volume 65 Number 9