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The ACDA Soprano-Alto Choirs National Commission Consortium

2013 – Yellow Twig of Willow by Stephen Smith future of the repertoire. The scale of the 2024–25 con-
sortium reflects a field-wide recognition that repertoire
2013 – Mother O’ Mine by Lauren McLaren development is a communal responsibility—one best
undertaken collaboratively rather than individually. In
2014 – Truth by Andrea Ramsey this way, the consortium functions not merely as a fund-
ing mechanism but as a model of artistic citizenship,
2014 – Spring Shall Bloom by Susan LaBarr fostering connection, shared ownership, and long-term
investment in the treble choral tradition.
2014 – A Blessing of Cranes by Abbie Betinis A defining feature of the 2024–25 consortium was
the introduction of two distinct commissioning tracks:
2015 – Patito by Gabriela Frank one for developing ensembles and one for advanced
ensembles. This model was designed to broaden par-
2015 – Two Friends Like Fireflies by Joseph Gregorio ticipation and ensure that newly commissioned works
address the pedagogical and artistic needs of a wide
2015 – I Have a Voice by Moira Smiley range of treble choirs.

2016 – At the Heart of Our Stillness by Kathleen Allan
Developing Ensemble Consortium

2016 – Patterns on the Snow by Mari Esabel Valverde
• Cristian Grases, Cha Cha Cha Elemental
2016 – Rise Up! by Jake Runestad For SS or SSA choir and piano (alto part optional
for two-part version)
2017 – Fall, Sweet Music by Eric William Barnum
• Daniel Brinsmead, Paper Plane
2017 – I Am the Wind by Elaine Hagenberg For SA choir with optional descant and piano

2017 – You Are the Light of the Stars by Joanne Metcalf • Sherry Blevins, To Run in the Wild
For two-part treble choir and piano
2019 – Lux Veritatis by Daniel J. Hall
• Tracy Wong, I Am Here
2019 – We Are the Ones by Marie-Claire Saindon For three-part treble choir, piano, and optional
audience participation

The 2024–2025 Consortium:
Scale, Community, and Renewal Advanced Ensemble Consortium
The consortium was reactivated in 2024 with the
intention of commissioning two to three new works, • Ambrož Čopi, When Wistful Swings Forget to Dream…
contingent on participation levels. The response from Three songs for SSAA and piano:
the choral community far exceeded expectations: more I. “Spring Rains”
than 130 ensembles from across the United States elect- II. “There Will Come Soft Rains,”
ed to participate, resulting in an unprecedented thir- III. “Evening Rain”
teen newly commissioned works for treble choirs.
This extraordinary level of participation speaks to
the vitality of the ACDA Soprano-Alto community • Carlos Cordero, Thaima
For SSAA a cappella
and to a shared, collective commitment to shaping the

36 CHORAL JOURNAL May 2026 Volume 66 Number 8