Dr. Julie Yu, SWACDA President 2019-2020

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March 4-7, 2020

The SWACDA 2020 conference will be in Little Rock, AR - a city of great historical significance in its efforts to improve the human condition and in its commitment to making positive global contributions for the present and future.

Choral music, through the fusion of music and text sung by a family of voices, has the power to comment on the beauty and complexity of the human condition. The conference will be centered around the idea that music can inform people not only pedagogically but also to allow singers and listeners to engage in important dialogues. We reflect and learn from the past, we intently study the present, and we dream about the future.

There will be 9 reading sessions and 30 interest sessions. Registrants can attend an immersion day for college and university students and new teachers. There will also be a vocal jazz immersion day featuring clinician Kerry Marsh. The Young Voices of Colorado, mirabai, and the Chuncheon City Choir (Korea) are our invited guests for the opening president’s concert.

This conference will feature selected auditioned performance choirs, graded honor choirs (conductors: Anthony Trecek-King, Gary Packwood, Deanna Joseph, and Eugene Rogers), a church honor choir (conductor: Craig Jessop), and a collegiate honor choir (conductor: Joshua Oppenheim). University students will be featured in conducting masterclasses and competitions.

We will also host a special honor choir comprised of Little Rock high schools students conducted by Dr. William Powell. They will present a concert of perfect vision along with a performance by the Pambo Afrika Chorale (Kenya) and the Inspirational Chorale of the University of Arkansas. This performance will take place at Central High School, a nationally historical site critically important in the desegregation of US public schools following the May 17, 1954 Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education.

There will also be a special concert by the Concert Chorale of Prairie View A&M University and the University Singers of the University of Missouri performing And They Lynched Him On A Tree by William Grant Still (Little Rock native) - composer (1895-1978) and Katherine Biddle - poet (1890-1977).

Conference performances will be held in the newly renovated Robinson Center. Music in Worship events will be held at First United Methodist Church of Little Rock. In addition to all performances being in Robinson, we will be holding sessions in the conference center, Marriott Hotel, and Doubletree Hotel which are adjacent/connected to one another.

Numerous eating establishments are a few blocks away. We will have an all conference BBQ and conference celebration for conference attendees.

All conference members will be singing and performing in conference choirs led by VIP conductors!

 

swacda 2020: performing choirs

  • Pambo Afrika Chorus - Geoffrey Mukoto (Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Plano East Concert Choir of Plano East Senior High School - Daniel Knight (Plano, TX)

  • Prairie View A&M University Concert Chorale - A. Jan Taylor (Prairie View, TX)

  • Schola Cantorum of University of Arkansas - Stephen Caldwell (Fayetteville, AR)

  • The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble of Kansas City Kansas Community College - John Stafford (Kansas City, KS)

  • University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale - Jeffrey Murdock (Fayetteville, AR)

  • University of Denver Lamont Chorale - Catherine Sailer (Denver, CO)

  • University of Missouri - Paul Crabb (Columbia, MO)

  • The University Singers of Oklahoma City University - Tony Gonzalez (Oklahoma City, OK)

  • Varsity Women of Garcia Middle School - Kelsey Appleby (Houston, TX)

  • Women’s Choir of Stephen F. Austin University - Tod Fish (Nacogdoches, TX)

  • Young Voices of Colorado - Jena Dickey (Englewood, CO)

  • Camerata Singers of Conway High School - Sam Huskey (Conway, AR)

  • Cantare Houston - Amy Solberg (Houston, TX)

  • Cantus of Permian High School - Kenneth Sieloff (Odessa, TX)

  • Children's Choir of Texas of Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts - Jackson Hill (Fort Worth, TX)

  • Chorale of Sam Houston State University - Joshua Bronfman (Huntsville, TX)

  • Chuncheon City Chorus - Changeun Im (Chuncheon, Korea)

  • Clements High School Chorale Women - Janet Menzie (Sugarland, TX)

  • Combined Men’s Choir of Liberty High School - Rika Heruth (Liberty, MO)

  • Company West of Arvada West High School - Chris Maunu (Arvada, CO)

  • Concert Chorale of Texas Christian University - Christopher Aspaas (Fort Worth, TX)

  • Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Singers - Joel Duarte (Grand Prairie, TX)

  • Harding University Chorus - Cliff Ganus (Searcy, AR)

  • mirabai - Sandra Snow (East Lansing, MI)

SWACDA 2020: Interest sessions

  • Jeffrey Murdock (AR) Beyond the Gospel Truth: Moving toward acceptable performance practice of gospel music and spirituals (and knowing the difference)

  • Joshua Nannestad and Joanna Hawkins-Nannestad (OK) Lift Every Voice and Sing: Strategies for radical inclusion in church singing

  • Ryan Olsen (KS) Singing Through the Transition: the adolescent and transgender voice change

  • Andrea Ramsey (MO) and Tom Shelton (NJ) Considering the Commission: Interesting and intriguing ideas

  • Beth Richey-Sullivan (KS) When You’re Not Their First Love: Taking over a music program

  • Troy Robertson and Stephanie Robertson (TX) Remember You: Finding a balance in a life devoted to music

  • Susan Shirel (AR) Choir Directors as Voice Teachers: Promoting healthy singing in a group setting

  • Jason Sickel (KS) High School Choral Warm-ups: From process to product

  • Anthony Silvestri (KS) The Lyricist’s Guide to Performing Choral Music

  • John Wayman (TX) The Urban Tenor-Bass choir: Selecting music that makes a difference

  • Tom Wine (KS) Create an environment of trust through vulnerability

  • John Yarrington (TX) Less is More: Refining your conducting gestures for maximum musical result

  • Adam Zrust (MO) “Do the Hustle!”: Using concurrent instruction to expedite student learning and make rehearsals engaging, motivating, and more efficient

  • Jonathan Babcock (TX) Between the Beats: Are you really showing what you want?

  • Ryan Beeken (KS) Seeing 20/20: Repertoire choice matters

  • Stephen Caldwell (AR) Florence B Price: The life and choral works of a Little Rock Native

  • Dustin Cates (PA) Everyone’s Song: Gender-inclusive choral programs

  • Carolyn Cruse and Andrew Kagumba (TX) Rehearsing and Performing African Choral Music: Movement and authenticity

  • David Edmonds (NM) Bringing Music Literacy into Focus

  • Daniel Farris (OK) Two Birds with One Stone: Building ears and larynges

  • Melissa Grady (KS) St. Olaf Sway: Organic singer movement in choral performance

  • Christopher Harris and Jeffrey Murdock (AR) The Black Composer: More than spirituals, gospel, and jazz

  • Elise Hepworth (MO) Looking to the Future: Building a culture of community

  • Lynn Herbel (OK) Was Blind but Now I See: How engaging special needs students opened my singers’ eyes . . . and hearts

  • Craig Jessop (UT) TBA

  • Lorissa Mason (AR) How We Learn: Engaging every singer

  • Craig McCauley (KS) They ALL Read and They LOVE It: A systematic approach to music literacy

  • Claire Minnis (IL) Leveraging Music Privilege for Community Impact: Justice choir in the street, church, classroom, and concert hall

  • Andrew Morgan (AR) Engaging your community through commissioned music

SWACDA 2020: Conference Schedule

Wednesday • March 4

10-11am SWACDA Pre-Conference Meeting [Marriott Riverview]

11am-12pm SWACDA Board Meeting [Marriott Riverview]

1-5pm Immersion Days

  • College, University, and New Teacher [Marriott Salon C]

  • Vocal Jazz with Kerry Marsh (Reading Session Included) [Marriott Salon A]

3-6pm Conference Registration [Marriott 2nd Floor Lobby]

4-6pm Graded Honor Choirs Registration [DoubleTree and Statehouse Convention Center]

6-7pm Collegiate Honor Choir Registration [Marriott Salon A]

7pm Graded Honor Choirs and Collegiate Honor Choirs begin rehearsals

7-10pm President’s Concert (Invited Choirs) [Robinson Center]

  • Young Voices of Colorado - Jena Dickey and Tyson Repke

  • mirabai - Sandra Snow

  • Chuncheon City Choir - Changeun Im

thursday • march 5

7-7:45am Yoga for Singers with Heather McCornack [Marriott Riverview]

7:30am-5:30pm Conference Registration [Marriott 2nd Floor Lobby]

8:30-9:20am Interest Sessions

  • Engaging with Communities through Commissioned Music - Andrew Morgan [Marriott Harris Brake]

  • Leveraging Musical Privilege for Community Impact: Justice Choir in the street, church, classroom, and concert hall - Claire Minnis [Marriott Arkansas]

  • Remember you: Finding a balance in a life devoted to music - Troy and Stephanie Robertson [Marriott Conway]

  • The Lyricist's Guide to Performing Choral Music - Tony Silvestri [Robinson Porter Hamilton]

8:30-9:20am Reading Session: Accessible [Marriott Salon A]

8:30-10am Undergraduate Conducting Masterclass [Marriott Salon C]

9am Graded Honor Choir and Church Honor Choir Rehearsals Begin

9:30am Collegiate Honor Choir Rehearsals Begin

10am-12pm Graduate Conducting Competition Semi-Finals [Marriott Salon C]

10am-12pm Concert Session [Robinson Center]

  • Garcia Middle School Varsity Women - Kelsey Appleby

  • Permian High School Cantus - Ken Sieloff

  • Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Singers - Joel Duarte

  • University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum - Stephen Caldwell

12-5pm Exhibits [Marriott 2nd Floor Lobby]

12:30-1:20pm Interest Sessions

  • Seeing 20/20: Repertoire Choice Matters! - Ryan Beeken [Marriott Harris Brake]

  • Looking to the Future: Building a Culture of Community - Elise Hepworth [Marriott Conway]

  • Singing Through the Transition: The adolescent and transgender voice changes - Ryan Olsen [Marriott Arkansas]

  • The Black Composer: More than Spirituals, Gospel, and Jazz - Christopher Harris [Marriott Salon C]

12:30-1:20pm Reading Sessions

  • Advanced [Robinson Porter Hamilton]

  • Boychoir and Children’s [Marriott Salon A]

1:30-2:20pm Conference Choir Rehearsals (all membership are singing)

3-4:30pm Concert Session [Robinson Center]

  • Kansas City Kansas Community College The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble - John Stafford

  • Arvada West High School Company West - Chris Maunu

  • Sam Houston State University Chorale - Joshua Bronfman

4:30-5:30pm Conference Choir Rehearsals [Robinson Center]

5:30-7pm All Conference BBQ [River Market Pavillion]

7:30-9:30pm Concert Session [Robinson Center]

  • Conference Choirs

  • Brock Commission Performance: Harding University Chorus - Cliff Ganus

  • (Invited Choirs) Prairie View A&M University and University of Missouri - A. Jan Taylor and Paul Crabb

    • And They Lynched Him On A Tree

      William Grant Still, composer (1895-1978)

      Katherine Biddle, poet (1890-1977)


friday • march 6

7:30-8:30am SWACDA Past Presidents Breakfast [Marriott Riverview]

8:30-9:20am Interest Sessions

  • High School Choral Warm-ups: from process to product - Jason Sickel [Marriott Salon A]

  • Lift Every Voice and Sing? Strategies for Radical Inclusion in Church Singing - Joshua Nannestad and Joanna Nannestad [Marriott Harris Brake]

  • St. Olaf Sway: Organic Singer Movement in Choral Performance - Melissa Grady [Marriott Arkansas]

  • The Urban Tenor/Bass Choir: Selecting Music that Makes a Difference! - John Wayman [Marriott Salon C]

8:30-9:20am Reading Session: Multicultural [Robinson Porter Hamilton]

9am Graded Honor Choirs and Church Honor Choir Rehearsals Begin

9am-4:30pm Exhibits [Marriott 2nd Floor Lobby]

10am Collegiate Honor Choir Rehearsals Begin [Marriott Salon A]

10am Little Rock High Schools Honor Choir Rehearsals Begin [First United Methodist Church]

10-11:30am Graduate Conducting Competition Finals [Marriott Salon C]

10am-12pm Concert Session [Robinson Center]

  • Ft. Worth Academy of Fine Arts Children’s Choir of Texas - Jackson Hill

  • Liberty High School Combined Men’s Choir - Rika Heruth

  • Cantare - Amy Solberg

  • University of Denver Lamont Chorale - Catherine Sailer

12:30-1:20pm Interest Sessions

  • Considering the Commission: Interesting & Intriguing Ideas - Andrea Ramsey and Tom Shelton [Marriott Arkansas]

  • Create an environment of trust through vulnerability - Tom Wine [Marriott Conway]

  • Everyone's Song: Gender-Inclusive Choral Programs - Dustin Cates [Marriott White Oak]

  • The Life and Choral Works of Little Rock native, Florence B. Price - Stephen Caldwell [Marriott Harris Brake]

  • Two Birds with One Stone: Building Ears and Larynges - Daniel Farris [Marriott Salon C]

12:30-1:20pm Reading Session: Moderate [Marriott Salon A]

1:30-2:20pm Interest Sessions

  • "Do the hustle(!)": Using concurrent instruction to expedite student learning and make rehearsals engaging, motivating, and more efficient - Adam Zrust [Marriott Conway]

  • Less is More: Refining Your Conducting Gestures for Maximum Musical Result - John Yarrington [Marriott Salon C]

  • Was Blind But Now I See: How engaging special needs students opened my singers' eyes … and hearts - Lynn Herbel [Marriott Harris Brake]

  • Rehearsing and Performing African Choral Music: Movement and Authenticity - Carolyn Cruse and Andrew Kagumba [Marriott White Oak]

1:30-2:20pm Reading Session: SSAA/TTBB [Marriott Arkansas]

3:45-5:45pm Concert Session [Robinson Center]

  • Clements High School Chorale Women - Janet Menzie and Ryan Bogner

  • Texas Christian University Concert Chorale - Christopher Aspaas

  • Church Honor Choir and Music in Worship - Craig Jessop

7:15-9:15pm Concert Session (Invited Choirs) [Central High School]

  • Pambo Afrika Chorus - Geoffrey Mukoto

  • Little Rock High Schools Honor Choir - William Powell

  • University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale - Jeffrey Murdock

10-11:30pm All Conference Celebration [Marriott Riverview]

9:30-10:30pm College and University Fun Night [River Market Loft]

saturday • march 7

8-8:50am Interest Sessions

  • Beyond the Gospel Truth: Moving Toward Acceptable Performance Practice of Gospel Music and Spirituals (and how to know the difference) - Jeffrey Murdock [Marriott Salon C]

  • Choir Directors as Voice Teachers: Promoting Healthy Singing Habits in a Group Setting - Susan Shirel [Marriott Harris Brake]

  • How We Learn: Engaging Every Singer - Lorissa Mason [Marriott Arkansas]

  • They ALL Read and They LOVE It: A systematic approach to music literacy - Craig McCauley [Marriott Conway]

8-8:50am Reading Sessions

  • College, University, Community [Robinson Porter Hamilton]

  • Music in Worship with Craig Jessop [Marriott Salon A]

9-9:50am Interest Sessions

  • Between the Beats: Are you really showing what you want? - Jonathan Babcock [Marriott Harris Brake]

  • Bringing Music Literacy Into Focus - David Edmonds [Marriott Salon C]

  • Make A Joyful Noise Unto the Lord! - Celebrating the Joys of Church Choirs - Craig Jessop [Marriott Arkansas]

  • When You're Not Their First Love - Taking Over a Music Program - Beth Richey-Sullivan [Marriott Conway]

9:15am Graded Honor Choir Rehearsals Begin

10:30am-12:30pm Concert Session [Robinson Center]

  • Plano East High School Concert Choir - Daniel Knight

  • Stephen F. Austin State University Women’s Choir - Tod Fish

  • Oklahoma City University The University Singers - Tony Gonzalez

  • Collegiate Honor Choir - Joshua Oppenheim

2-4:30pm Graded Honor Choirs Concert Session

  • 5-7 Treble Honor Choir - Anthony Trecek-King

  • 7-10 TB Honor Choir - Gary Packwood

  • 8-10 Treble Honor Choir - Deanna Joseph

  • 11-12 Mixed Honor Choir - Eugene Rogers

  • Graded Honor Choirs Finale