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From the NATIONAL OFFICERS

President PRESIDENT
EDITH COPLEY
ecopley@acda.org

VICE PRESIDENT
I write this month’s column after attending PEARL SHANGKUAN
the Western ACDA Region Conference in San pshangkuan@acda.org
José, California, where I heard an inspiring key-
note given by Melanie DeMore, memorable PRESIDENT-ELECT
performances, and informative interest sessions. JESSICA NÁPOLES
jnapoles@acda.org
Edith Copley The last time the Western Region conference
was held in San José was forty years ago. Con- SECRETARY/TREASURER
gratulations to ACDA Western Region President, Julie Dana; Con- ROBERT NATTER
ference Chair, Cari Earnhart; and the entire conference committee rnatter@gettysburg.edu
for planning and executing this successful event for our membership.
Congratulations also to the five other region presidents and their PAST PRESIDENT
committees for their vision, leadership, and service that provided DAVID FRYLING
memorable ACDA conferences all across the nation. dfryling@acda.org

During the Western Region concerts, I watched expressive singers EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
and conductors, but every so often I would close my eyes and just ROBYN HILGER
listen to the sounds that filled the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. executivedirector@acda.org
Listening is one of the most important things we do as choral con-
ductors. Our ability to hear guides us in rehearsal and gives us a deep NATIONAL R&R CHAIR
and visceral connection to the music. Our sense of hearing is an in- GRETCHEN HARRISON
nationalrr@acda.org
credible gift that is foundational to conductors and to everyone who
sings in our choirs. There are a number of ways we encourage en- EASTERN REGION PRESIDENT
semble listening, such as changing standing formations on the risers AMANDA HANZLIK
and rehearsing voice parts in circles. Sight-reading with solfège and amanda.hanzlik@acdaeast.org
audiation during our daily rehearsals builds the singers’ aural skills. MIDWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
One of my favorite ways to encourage listening is to stop conducting, DERRICK FOX
slowly turn my back to the choir, and slightly tilt my head. Singers foxderri@msu.edu
immediately “turn their ears on.” The follow-up question is “What
did YOU hear?” NORTHWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
Simon Carrington, former member of The King’s Singers and WILLIAM CAMPBELL
professor emeritus at Yale University, says singing in a choir is 60% billcampbell@nwacda.org
listening and 40% singing. It takes time for the choir to discover the
importance of this proportion. A cohesive ensemble is only possi- SOUTHERN REGION PRESIDENT
ble when individual singers critically listen and discover their unique JEFFERY AMES
jefferyacdasouthern@gmail.com
and important individual contribution to the choir. It is only then the
ensemble becomes a nurturing community where singers listen, are SOUTHWESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
heard, and belong. JONATHAN D. OWEN
Jonathano@swacda.org
WESTERN REGION PRESIDENT
JULIE DANA
jdana@acdawestern.org
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATE REPRESENTATIVE
OLIVER SCOFIELD
KI Concerts
oliver@kiconcerts.com
CHORAL JOURNAL May 2026 Volume 66 Number 8 3