Page 4 - CJSept24

STANDING COMMITTEES
From the
Executive Director
ADVOCACY & COLLABORATION
EMILY WILLIAMS BURCH, CHAIR

EmilyWilliamsBurch@gmail.com
As we stand on the threshold of a new school

COMPOSITION INITIATIVES year and concert season, I am filled with immense

ROBERT BODE, CHAIR excitement about all we’ve accomplished but may

bode.58@osu.edu be even more excited about what is still to come.
First, I will have served as your National Executive
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES Director for three years as of September 15. I’m
ARREON HARLEY-EMERSON, CHAIR Robyn Hilger humbled to do this work with you every single day,
arreon@equitysings.com and I thank you for the trust you have put in me
and the support you have given me in this brief time. There’s nothing
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION I’d rather do than continue to figure out how ACDA can best serve
JOHN MCDONALD , CHAIR you and to support the leaders who are doing this work on every level:
jtmcdonald@mckendree.edu
National, Regional, and State.
Your choirs are not just a collection of voices; they are harmonious
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
JOSHUA HABERMANN, CHAIR communities where each member brings their unique talent, passion,
joshhabermann@gmail.com dedication, and self. Together, we create something extraordinary—a
sound that resonates not only in the hearts of our audiences but also

REPERTOIRE & RESOURCES in our own lives.
GRETCHEN HARRISON, CHAIR Think back to the first time you felt the power of singing with oth-
nationalrr@acda.org ers. That magical moment when individual voices melded into a single,
powerful force. It is a feeling like no other, and it is a reminder of why

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS we are here. Our journey this year will be filled with opportunities to
JESSICA NAPOLES, CHAIR experience that magic over and over again.

Jessica.Napoles@unt.edu We have an exciting lineup of performances, workshops, and events

planned for this year, including the 2025 National Conference in Dal-
las, Texas, in March 2025. This is a chance for us to showcase our hard
work, to learn and grow as musicians, and to inspire others with our
passion for choral music. But beyond the notes and rhythms, it is our
ADVOCACY STATEMENT
sense of community that will make this year truly special. Let us sup-
The human spirit is elevated to a broader understanding port each other, celebrate each other’s successes, and lift each other up
of itself and its place in the world through the study of and when challenges arise. Remember, every great performance starts with
participation in choral music. Singing in a choir produces dedication and preparation. Let us approach each rehearsal with focus
more active and involved citizens. It affects self-worth and determination, knowing that every effort we put in now will pay off
in youth and adults. It builds connectivity throughout when we step onto the stage.
communities. Society benefits from the aesthetic beauty
and community of singers created by choral programs As we embark on this new journey, let us do so with open hearts and
within schools, houses of worship, and community minds, ready to embrace the new experiences, friendships, and musical
organizations through involved citizenry, connectivity milestones that lie ahead. Together, we will make this year one of our
throughout communities, and feelings of personal self- best yet—a year filled with joy, growth, and unforgettable music.
worth. The American Choral Directors Association and Here’s to new beginnings and the incredible journey ahead!
its membership resolve to ensure the survival of choral
programs for this and future generations by:
Actively voicing support for funding at local, state,
and national levels of education and government;
collaborating with local and national organizations to
ensure the distribution of arts funding data and arts-
related activism opportunities; advocating for full access
to choral singing and inclusion of all singers in a choral
program; and ensuring the distribution of advocacy
statements and data regarding choral programs.
2 CHORAL JOURNAL September 2024 Volume 65 Number 2