Page 5 - CJMay25

From the NATIONAL OFFICERS

President

PRESIDENT
DAVID FRYLING
dfryling@acda.org
Choral conducting can be a profoundly fulfill- VICE PRESIDENT
ing pursuit—but it can also be an isolating one. EDITH COPLEY
Whether we lead large community choirs, school ecopley@acda.org
ensembles, or faith-based groups, much of our work
happens in rehearsal rooms, where we are looked PRESIDENT-ELECT
David Fryling to as the singular musical leader. We pour our ener- PEARL SHANGKUAN
gy into crafting meaningful musical experiences for pearl.shangkuan@calvin.edu
others, yet we often navigate the challenges of leadership, sustainability, SECRETARY/TREASURER
and creative inspiration on our own. TOM MERRILL
On top of this inherent isolation, many of us face increasing challeng- merrilltg@gmail.com
es in sustaining our organizations. Funding, recruitment, and audience
engagement require more than just musical expertise—they demand stra- PAST PRESIDENT
tegic vision, collaboration, and resilience. The good news? We don’t have ANDRÉ THOMAS
to do this alone. athomas@acda.org
This month features two articles from our Repertoire & Resources EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
chairs in Lifelong Singing (Jack Cleghorn) and Community Choirs (Matt ROBYN HILGER
Hill) that address these issues head on. Matt reminds us that building executivedirector@acda.org
meaningful connections—both with fellow conductors and with pro-
fessionals outside our immediate field—can be a game-changer for our NATIONAL R&R CHAIR
longevity and success. Collegial relationships provide not only emotional GRETCHEN HARRISON
support but also fresh ideas, collaborative opportunities, and a broader nationalrr@acda.org
perspective on our shared mission. Jack reminds us that by forging part- EASTERN REGION PRESIDENT
nerships within our community, we amplify our impact and create stron- AMANDA HANZLIK
ger, more sustainable artistic communities. amandahanzlik@gmail.com
One of the best ways to cultivate these connections is through the
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). With state, regional, MIDWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
and national events, ACDA provides numerous opportunities to meet DERRICK FOX
like-minded professionals who understand both the joys and the struggles foxderri@msu.edu
of choral leadership. Check the March/April issue of the Choral Journal NORTHWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
for a listing of summer programs—some of which may speak directly to STEVEN ZIELKE
your current needs. Attending these programs not only fosters profession- stevenzielke@nwacda.org
al growth but also reinforces the sense of community that sustains us.
Another way to engage with your choral network is to contribute your SOUTHERN REGION PRESIDENT
own insights. Calls for sessions for the 2026 regional conferences are avail- JEFFERY AMES
jefferyacdasouthern@gmail.com
able on region conference websites—why not submit a proposal? Your
experiences, solutions, and challenges could be invaluable to others in our SOUTHWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
field. Sharing knowledge strengthens our collective wisdom and ensures JONATHAN D. OWEN
that we continue growing together. It all (once again) comes back to Com- Jonathano@swacda.org
munity. The road of a choral conductor need not be a solitary one. By WESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
prioritizing connection, we create a network of support that enriches both JULIE DANA
our music and our lives and elevates our impact as musicians, organiza- jdana@acdawestern.org
tional leaders, and mentors to each next generation.
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATE REPRESENTATIVE
OLIVER SCOFIELD
KI Concerts
CHORAL JOURNAL May 2025 Volume 65 Number 8 3 oliver@kiconcerts.com