His goal: amplify love of singing

His goal: amplify love of singing
by Rick Rogers
The Oklahoman, Sunday, May 25, 2008

"Tim Sharp discovered a love of singing at an early age. His participation in a local children's choir sparked a love of choral music that continues to this day. After spending many years as a choral director, Sharp recently was named executive director of the American Choral Directors Association

"It comes as no surprise that Sharp is a passionate advocate for singing. For many young people, choral music becomes an entry-level arts experience. Whereas band and orchestra players spend considerable time learning the complexities of their instrument, choral music allows young people to experience an artistic moment without a significant investment of time. ..."

Read the entire feature article here

ACDA Julius Herford Prize Nominations

ACDA Julius Herford Prize
Call for Nominations

The subcommittee for the Julius Herford Prize, given annually by the American Choral Directors Association, is now accepting nominations for the outstanding doctoral terminal research project in choral music for 2007. Projects are eligible if they comprise the principal research component of the degree requirements, whether the institution defines the project as a “dissertation,” a “document,” a “thesis,” or “treatise,” etc. Eligibility is limited to doctoral recipients whose degrees were conferred during the period January 1 through December 31, 2007. The winner will receive a $1000 cash award and a plaque.

Nominations must be submitted by the dean, director, or chair of the music unit. An institution may submit only one document. In the event that there are two nominations of equal merit from one school, the administrative head of the unit must submit a letter justifying the additional nomination.

A letter of nomination signed by the administrative head of the music unit and one unbound copy of the dissertation must be submitted no later than June 30, 2008 to:

Dr. John Silantien, Chair
Julius Herford Prize Subcommittee
Music Department
University of Texas at San Antonio
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
Phone: 210/458-5328
fax: 210/458-4381
E-mail: <john.silantien@utsa.edu>

Information about the Herford Prize and past winners

ACDA for the 21st Century

Today ACDA officially welcomes Dr. Tim Sharp as the new Executive Director. Dr. Sharp outlined four visions for ACDA in the Twenty-First Century in the April 2008 issue of Choral Journal.

• I envision a twenty-first century ACDA that establishes the opportunity for every child in the United States to sing in a choir.
• I envision a twenty-first century ACDA that becomes fully engaged in world choral initiatives.
• I envision a twenty-first century ACDA that utilizes the full extent of technological communication and other technologies for the benefit of our membership.
• I envision a twenty-first century ACDA that sets the research and publication agenda for the best thinking, past and present, in choral music.

Read Dr. Sharp's complete vision statement here.
Listen to a PodCast with Dr. Sharp here.
Contribute your thoughts and vision of ACDA here.

ACDA National Election Results

Congratulations to the winners of the recent ACDA National Election.

Jo-Michael Scheibe, National President-Elect
Robert Eaton, Eastern Division President-Elect
Aimee Beckmann-Collier, North Central Division President-Elect
Solveig Holmquist, Northwestern Division President-Elect
Margie Camp, Southwestern Division President-Elect

View their photos and read their bios here.

Dr. Tim Sharp Appointed ACDA Executive Director

The Executive Committee of ACDA is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tim Sharp as Executive Director.

Dr. Sharp will assume the new role full-time on May 1, 2008. During the interim Dr. Sharp will assist in an advisory capacity as well as represent the National ACDA Office at many of the Divisional Conventions and other official ACDA functions.

Read the full press release on the ACDA web site.

ACDA Improves Internal Technology

ACDA is in the final stages of implementing a new internal database system. We have undergone an extensive review of our current database systems and reevaluated our internal processes. As a result, we are combining our membership database with several auxiliary databases into one unified system that integrates data automatically with our new accounting system.

Results?

• More efficient membership renewal and convention registration processes
• Easier navigation and better access to important information
• Improved reporting to states and divisions
• More accurate accounting

Next steps: Review and overhaul of the ACDA National web site including online membership renewal and online convention registration. It’s coming soon; we first had to ensure our internal systems were up to date. We are always interested in receiving member feed back. Let us know what you think by emailing the ACDA staff or phoning our office. Your input is important to us! We are working hard on your behalf and want to ensure we are meeting your needs.

Call for ACDA Interest Session Proposals

ACDA is seeking informative and engaging interest session proposals relevant to today's active choral director for presentation at the 2009 ACDA National Convention in Oklahoma City, OK March 4-7, 2009.

Those interested in presenting a session at this national event are encouraged to submit a written proposal outlining the details of the session. Session may include lectures, interactive workshops with a demonstration choir, a panel discussion or other format.

All presenters must a current member of ACDA. Proposals will be considered by members of the national convention committee. Proposals must be postmarked by March 2, 2008.

2009 ACDA National Convention Information and official proposal form.

ACDA Executive Director Search

The American Choral Directors Association is currently seeking an Executive Director.

REQUIREMENTS: Evidence of successful music administration experience; passion for and commitment to the choral art; interpersonal, managerial, and assessment skills to include staff evaluation, development, strategic planning, grant writing, and fiscal responsibility; advanced degree either in music or in arts administration with an emphasis in music; command of appropriate technological skills.

Please visit our web site for announcement details, job description and application procedures.

ACDA National Board Meeting This Weekend

The ACDA National Board is holding its annual meeting in Oklahoma City on Sunday, September 9. Also meeting this week is the ACDA National Executive Committee and the National Repertoire and Standards (R&S) Committee. Watch for news and announcements from these meetings soon.

September 2007 Choral Journal

The September 2007 issue of the Choral Journal is now at the press and should be mailed shortly after Labor Day. See what's coming in this month's issue by visiting the Choral Journal section of the ACDA web site.

2008 ACDA Honor Choir Conductors

ACDA is pleased to welcome 26 honor choir conductors at the 2008 ACDA Division Conventions!

Tony Araujo Anton Armstrong David Brunner Eph Ehly Kevin Fenton Joseph Flummerfelt Lynne Gackle Janet Galvan Joan Gregoryk Judith Herrington M. Roger Holland Bradley Holmes Henry Leck

Diane Loomer Kirk Marcy Stan McGill Joe Miller Jo-Michael Scheibe Anthony Sears Timothy Seelig Pearl Shangkuan Elena Sharkova Mary Alice Stollack William Weinert Julia White Mack Wilberg

Click here for more information about the 2008 ACDA Division Conventions and Honor Choirs

Choral Festivals and Workshops

Interested in continuing education opportunities for your self as a conductor? Looking for exciting festival and performance opportunities for you choir? The ACDA web site has a free list of many great choral festivals, conducting workshops, conferences, continuing education opportunities, and ACDA conventions.

You can view events by month and submit event listings for free.

ACDA Convention Survey to Close

There are three days remaining to complete the 2007 ACDA Convention Survey.

Let us know what you think about ACDA conventions and how we can improve. All results will be presented to the ACDA National Board. Your input is vital to the future of our organization.

The survey will close on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

UPDATE: The survey is now closed. (Thursday, August 16, 2007)

August 2007 Choral Journal Overview

August 2007 issues of the Choral Journal should be arriving in mail boxes soon. Here's what to look for this month.

Articles in this month's issue:

1. The Conductor's Voice: Flow and the Choral Experience by Patrick K. Freer

2. An Interview with Vance George by Susan Medley

3. Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Growth in the School Chorus by Elizabeth Cassidy Parker

Repertoire and Standards Committee Articles:

1. Keeping the Choir in Show Choir by Brian Lanier

2. Status and Competition: Perceptions of Women's Choirs by Lisa Fredenburgh

Columns in this month's issue:

1. Research Report: The Choral Music of Raymond Murray Schafer: Insights and Influences by L. Brett Scott

2. Choral Music in the Junior High/Middle School: Inspiring Middle School Musicians: An Honest Approach by Marc L. Kaplan

3. Student Times: How to Build an Award-Winning Chapter by Rebecca Cole

4. Book Reviews

- Ancient Song Recovered: The Life and Music of Veljo Tormis by Mimi S. Daitz

- The Musician's Walk: An Ethical Labyrinth by James Jordan

5. Choral Music Reviews - 22 titles reviewed by ACDA members

Also In This Issue:

From the Executive Director: Dr. Gene Brooks Obituary

From the President: A Message from the ACDA President Hilary Apfelstadt

Career Moves: Choral Job Openings

Promotional Information about upcoming ACDA Conventions

---

Interested in submitting an article to the Choral Journal? Find article submission information here.