2020 SWACDA Conference

Little  Rock, Arkansas

Julie Yu, President

SWACDA 2020: Performing Choirs

  • 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)

  • 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)

SWACDA 2022: Interest Sessions

  • 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

  • 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

SWACDA 2022: 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


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

2020

Julie Yu, President 2018-2020