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An Interview with the 2019 National Legacy Directors Chorus Conductors

One performance among many that I will always Jerry McCoy is regents professor of mu-
cherish from my time at Boston University was the per- sic emeritus for the University of North
formance of the “War Requiem” of Benjamin Britten Texas, where between 2000 and 2015
for the Eastern Division conference of ACDA. In a he led the UNT choral program to na-
crowded Cathedral of the Holy Cross, that monumen- tional and international acclaim while
tal work moved the audience so that at the end of the serving as director of choral studies
performance, there was total and complete silence. I and conductor of the A Cappella Choir. From 2007 to
stood there quietly and no one moved for the longest 2015, McCoy served as a member of the ACDA Na-
time. Very powerful. tional Executive Committee, and he was national pres-
ident from 2009 to 2011.

What do you think are the most striking changes

This legacy conductor interview was part six in a series of (positive or negative) in choral music today?
articles published in Choral Journal in 2019 during ACDA’s The availability of the ever-expanding world of
sixtieth anniversary year. Below is a list of all six parts choral literature has deeply changed our art form. To
and the issue month where you can read those articles experience literature from all sides of the globe deep-
in full. ens our human experience and expands our sense of
shared humanity. My only caveat to this is that we also
must maintain awareness of the core historical works
June/July 2019, Part 1 - “ACDA Celebrates 20th that first launched our concepts of communal singing.
Anniversary in 1979—Observations from Six Choral
Conductors” What, if anything, would you change about your

professional life?
August 2019, Part 2 - “ACDA’s 40-Year Journey
(1959-1999)” by Russell Mathis
When I began college work back in 1982, I never
September 2019, Part 3 - “Interviews Through dreamed I’d advance as far as I have, especially consid-
the Years: A Selection of Excerpts from Choral Journal ering I was told by a music education professor that I
should do something else with my life because I’d never
Interview Articles” (Part 1 of 2) make it as a conductor/teacher! The one thing I might
want to change would be my initial response to that
October 2019, Part 4 - “Interviews Through the Years: teacher’s statement. Although I ultimately finished my
A Selection of Excerpts from Choral Journal Interview BA degree in music and went on to earn my MM and

Articles” (Part 2 of 2) DMA degrees as well as a graduate certificate in voice
performance and a professional certificate in music ed-
November 2019, Part 5 - “Repertoire Selections from ucation, that teacher’s single comment drove me out of
National and Regional Conferences” choral music making and study for eight years!

December 2019, Part 6 - “Interview with the 2019 What is the most outstanding choral music
National Legacy Directors Chorus Conductors” experience you recall in your life?

One that first comes to mind happened in New York

64 CHORAL JOURNAL June/July 2025 Volume 65 Number 9