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STANDING COMMITTEES From the

Executive Director

ADVOCACY & COLLABORATION
EMILY WILLIAMS BURCH, CHAIR
EmilyWilliamsBurch@gmail.com

Finding Our Voice in Uncertain Times
COMPOSITION INITIATIVES

ROBERT BODE, CHAIR
Who would have thought that after enduring the
rbode@acda.org
COVID-19 pandemic we might find ourselves in a
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES world that feels more uncertain than ever? Just as
ARREON HARLEY-EMERSON, CHAIR Robyn Hilger things were starting to stabilize and return more to
arreon@equitysings.com normal, the future, personally and professionally, is
elusive for many in our choral community. Regardless of our person-
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION al political views, we all must recognize that we are in a time of deep
JOHN MCDONALD , CHAIR change in our country, and we would be foolish to think that our special
JohnMcDonald@wustl.edu choral world will be untouched. Rather than being overwhelmed by these
changes, we also must remember something fundamental: choral music
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES has always been a source of strength, resilience, and unity. Nothing has or
JOSHUA HABERMANN, CHAIR is changing about these fundamental things.
joshhabermann@gmail.com Throughout history, choral music has endured, transcending borders,
political turmoil, and societal upheaval. We have a very recent example
REPERTOIRE & RESOURCES with COVID-19 that shows us our power to persevere, pivot, endure,
GRETCHEN HARRISON, CHAIR and succeed! Quite frankly, we know how to do this work under massive
nationalrr@acda.org
pressure and against all odds.
The essence of choral singing is in the act of listening. We listen to
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS each other, adjusting and adapting, ensuring that every voice has a place.
JESSICA NAPOLES, CHAIR In a time when so many feel unheard, our ability to model collaboration,

Jessica.Napoles@unt.edu
respect, and shared purpose is more vital than ever. This is not just about
music—it is about community, about finding common ground through
harmony, about reminding people that even in discord, resolution is pos-
sible. Choral music has been a refuge in times of crisis, a rallying cry
ADVOCACY STATEMENT for justice, and a balm for the soul in moments of loss. It is an art form
that brings diverse voices together—not to compete, but to collaborate,
The human spirit is elevated to a broader understanding
of itself and its place in the world through the study of and to create something greater than any single individual can achieve alone.
participation in choral music. Singing in a choir produces Our association remains steadfast in our mission to serve and uplift
more active and involved citizens. It affects self-worth through choral music. We are committed to providing spaces for singers
in youth and adults. It builds connectivity throughout of all backgrounds and abilities, ensuring that choral music remains ac-
communities. Society benefits from the aesthetic beauty cessible, relevant, and powerful. We will continue to support our mem-
and community of singers created by choral programs bers, advocate for the arts, and celebrate the transformative power of
within schools, houses of worship, and community
organizations through involved citizenry, connectivity song.
throughout communities, and feelings of personal self- To our choral community: You are not alone. The music we make to-
worth. The American Choral Directors Association and gether has endured for centuries, and it will continue to thrive, no matter
its membership resolve to ensure the survival of choral the challenges ahead. As long as there are voices willing to sing, there
programs for this and future generations by: will be hope, there will be connection, and there will be a future where
Actively voicing support for funding at local, state, harmony prevails.
and national levels of education and government; Let us keep singing.
collaborating with local and national organizations to
ensure the distribution of arts funding data and arts-
related activism opportunities; advocating for full access
to choral singing and inclusion of all singers in a choral
program; and ensuring the distribution of advocacy
statements and data regarding choral programs.
2 CHORAL JOURNAL May 2025 Volume 65 Number 8