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who was serving on our state board called me and said, Brown: There are hundreds of interest session pro-
“You’re going to be presenting at our conference next posals from across the country for conferences like
summer.” I immediately protested, saying I had noth- ACDA national. There are several questions for some-
ing to offer. She laughed and reminded me that she had one wanting to share an interest session that need to be
seen the work I shared online and knew I had valuable clear right away:
insight for our community. Her encouragement pushed
me forward, and that single act of kindness set me on • Who is the primary audience for your session? Age
the path to becoming the servant leader I am today. level? Specialty ensemble?
Have I attended multiple sessions on topics like
teaching sight-reading? Absolutely. But I still walk away • Is your session a timely extension of a topic that
with new insights each time. Our profession is con- applies to a specific age level or type of choir?
stantly changing, and new generations of teachers are
always joining the field. What may seem routine to you • Would you attend your interest session if someone
might be exactly what someone in another state needs else was presenting it?
to hear. So, my advice is simple: share your knowledge,
submit your ideas, and don’t be afraid to try. You never • Will your proposal catch and keep a conductor’s
know the impact your voice might have on others in interest?
our profession.

CHORAL JOURNAL November/December 2025 Volume 66 Number 4 25