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tionship-building and exchanges that highlight each works with the teachers of the participating students,
member’s unique strengths. providing interactive professional development as well
as facilitating leadership focused sessions with the par-
Suggested Resource: Fuelberth, Rhonda J. “Lessons ticipating students.
from i Choir” in Relevance in the Choral Art: A Pathway to
2
Connections, edited by Tim Sharp (United Kingdom: What is the most successful aspect of the project?
GIA Publications, Incorporated, 2021): 155-182.
The success is two-fold: Providing a space in which
middle and high school students can learn and work
together and make music together for a day. Second,
Inspire and Empower SA Festival providing teachers with a professional development
Submitted by: David Verdoni opportunity in a personal way where you can interact
Location: Sarasota, Florida with other participants and the presenter in a space
www.inspireandempowerfestival.org/home where you feel comfortable to ask questions and col-
laborate with colleagues.
Program or Project Title:
Inspire and Empower SA Festival What is the collaborative element of your project?

Middle school students work with high school stu-
dents throughout the entire experience with the lead-
ership clinician and the choir clinician. The attending
directors actively participate in the festival by collabo-
rating with the PD clinician on topics relating to teach-
ing in today’s choral classroom.

Hold your own.

The Inspire and Empower SA Festival is a one-day
Leadership and Choral Festival open to SA singers in
grades seven to twelve. It stemmed from an interest in
increasing access to musical and personal growth op-
portunities to populations in the choral world that we
felt are often overlooked; middle school-aged singers
and SA voices, which we often have an abundance of
when compared to Tenor and Bass singers. This day
is focused on process, growth, and collaboration. It is
currently held at the high school we work at in Sara-
sota, Florida. We bring in two clinicians for the day.
One clinician conducts the honor choir during the day Toll-free: 1.877.246.7253 sales@musicfolder.com
on music that is learned onsite. The second clinician
www.colbertcreative.com
(604) 681-5386
CHORAL JOURNAL October 2024 Volume 65 Number 3 71