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STANDING COMMITTEES
From the
Executive Director:
ADVOCACY & COLLABORATION
ALEX GARTNER, CHAIR Guest Columnist

agartner@pensacolasings.org

COMPOSITION INITIATIVES The Space After the Sound:

KATIE HOUTS, CHAIR Why ACDA Matters More than We Admit

katie.houts@gmail.com
By Edryn Coleman
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES
ARREON HARLEY-EMERSON, CHAIR After every ACDA conference—regional or na-
arreon@equitysings.com tional—I have a quiet ritual.
Edryn J. Coleman On the very last day, when most people have al-
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION ready left, I go back to the exhibit hall. And I walk.
JOHN MCDONALD, CHAIR It’s empty. Booths have been dismantled. The energy that once filled the
JohnMcDonald@wustl.edu space is gone. But in my mind, it’s still alive. I can see the conversations,
hear the laughter, feel the music that surrounded us for those conference
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES days. And in that moment, I feel two things at once: deep joy… and a real
JOSHUA HABERMANN, CHAIR sense of loss. Because what we experience at ACDA is special.
joshhabermann@gmail.com For a few days, we are completely immersed in what we love—music,
people, connection, purpose. We are surrounded by colleagues who get it
REPERTOIRE & RESOURCES without explanation. We hear incredible performances that remind us what
GRETCHEN HARRISON, CHAIR is possible. We engage in conversations that challenge us, affirm us, and
nationalrr@acda.org push us forward. We are, in every sense, filled up. And then… it ends. Just

like that.
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS We go from nonstop music making and connection to airports, emails,
ELIZABETH CASSIDY PARKER, CHAIR lesson plans, and real life. And if I’m being honest, there’s always a little bit

eparker@temple.edu of a crash. A quiet kind of sadness. Missing the people. Missing the music.

Missing the feeling of being fully seen and understood in this work.
I’ve come to realize that feeling is not a bad thing. It means it mattered.
We don’t miss things that are insignificant. We miss the things that impact
ADVOCACY STATEMENT us. ACDA reminds me why I do this work. It reminds me that I’m not
alone. It reconnects me to a community of people who care deeply about
The human spirit is elevated to a broader understanding singers, about music, about creating something meaningful together. And
of itself and its place in the world through the study of and
participation in choral music. Singing in a choir produces while the conference ends, the impact doesn’t. It shows up later—in how
more active and involved citizens. It affects self-worth I teach, how I program, how I lead, how I listen. It shows up in renewed
in youth and adults. It builds connectivity throughout energy, fresh ideas, and a deeper sense of purpose.
communities. Society benefits from the aesthetic beauty So yes, I walk through that empty exhibit hall every time. Because I need
and community of singers created by choral programs that moment to pause and say, this mattered. And even though there’s a
within schools, houses of worship, and community little sadness in the ending, there’s also lots of gratitude. Because we get to
organizations through involved citizenry, connectivity
throughout communities, and feelings of personal self- do this work. Because we get to make music. Because we get to be part of
worth. The American Choral Directors Association and something bigger than ourselves.
its membership resolve to ensure the survival of choral And the best part is knowing that we will gather again! Different date.
programs for this and future generations by: Same spirit. Same love for this art form that continues to bring us together.
Actively voicing support for funding at local, state, Until then, y’all…
and national levels of education and government;
collaborating with local and national organizations to Dr. Edryn J. Coleman
ensure the distribution of arts funding data and arts- Oakland Mills High School, Columbia, MD
related activism opportunities; advocating for full access ACDA East Membership Chair
to choral singing and inclusion of all singers in a choral Co-Author of Accessible and Beautiful:
program; and ensuring the distribution of advocacy Repertoire for Mixed Voices to Encourage Connection and Growth
statements and data regarding choral programs.