Published by the California Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association • Volume 20, Number 1 • Fall 2007

Dr. Howard S. Swan, “Dean of American 2007 Howard S. Swan Award Recipient Choral Directors,” died in 1995 at the age of 89. He was R. Daniel Earl active well into his eighties both as a The annual Howard S. Swan Award was conductor and as a instituted in 1985 by the northern California speaker and writer. chapter of ACDA and is now presented by the His integrity and high view of the artistic/ reunited California ACDA. Its purpose is to human role of the choral director, coupled honor a retired conductor who has had a with a compelling ability to challenge significant contribution to the choral art in the and inspire students and colleagues to state of California. greater vision and higher standards, The California chapter of ACDA is awakened the collective conscience of the pleased to announce the recipient of this choral world. In the introduction to the year’s Howard S. Swan Award, R. Daniel book of Swan’s writings and speeches Earl. entitled Conscience of a Profession: R. Daniel Earl is recently retired from Howard Swan, Choral Director and public school teaching after 39 years, the Teacher (Hinshaw, 1987), Robert Shaw final 28 years at Santa Rosa High School. writes, “There isn’t a choral conductor While at Santa Rosa High, his choirs alive who doesn’t have something to gained statewide and national honors, learn from Howard Swan.” including invitations for six of his choirs Swan’s career at Occidental College in to sing for divisional and one for the Women’s and Men’s Choirs for Los Angeles spanned nearly four decades national American Choral Directors California ACDA and most recently (1934-1971), after which he went on to Association Conventions. Most recently served as R&S for Men’s Choirs for the teach at CSU Fullerton and UC Irvine. his Chamber Singers performed at the Western Division of ACDA. He has While at Occidental, Swan was also the 1999 national convention of ACDA. presented clinics for CMEA and Nor Cal, choir director at Pasadena Presbyterian His choirs were also winners of several the Northern California Band Directors Church and served as a guest conductor awards, including multiple winners at the Association, and has attended all but and lecturer throughout the United States. Concord Pavilion and the Golden State three of the Summer Conferences at Swan was a founder of the Choral Choral Competitions, with both his ECCO, where he has facilitated Conductors Guild (now National Concert Choir and his Chamber Singers numerous conducting clinics. Association of Church Musicians) and having been First Place winners Mr. Earl was selected Teacher of the received ACDA’s Robert Shaw Choral numerous times. Year for Santa Rosa City Schools and Award for lifetime achievement. All of his choirs consistently earned Sonoma County in 1982 and again in Swan’s influence lay in his artistic unanimous Superiors at CMEA State 1998. He was honored as Alumnus of the command, powerful personality, and Festivals. The choral program at Santa Year, by Chapman University’s School humanitarian spirit. He had a passion for Rosa High School consisted of Men’s A of Music in 1994. In a high school that text and a keen ability to stir the mind Cappella, Women’s A Cappella, Men’s recently celebrated its 130th year and the heart. Swan mastered, as perhaps Ensemble, Women’s Ensemble, Las anniversary, Mr. Earl became only the no other, the ability to capture the choral Choralistas, Concert Choir, and Chamber seventeenth teacher to be chosen for the experience in words. His pedagogy went Singers. Santa Rosa High School’s Wall of Fame. far beyond music to call forth and Mr. Earl has served as Repertoire & develop the highest human values. ♦ Standards (R&S) Chair for both (Continued on page 6)

In This Issue… 2007 HOWARD S. SWAN AWARD RECIPIENT – R. DANIEL EARL ...... 1 HOWARD S. SWAN BIOGRAPHY ...... 1 Official Publication of the MAKING MUSIC WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU! – FROM THE STATE PRESIDENT ...... 3 California Chapter UPCOMING EVENTS...... 3 American Choral Directors Association CANTATE CELEBRATES IT’S 20TH YEAR!...... 4 Editor “WINDS OF MAY” BLOWS FAIR – 2007 COMPOSITION COMPETITION...... 5 Douglas Lynn IN MEMORIAM...GENE BROOKS ...... 7 [email protected] HONOR CHOIR NEWS c/o 1450 South Melrose Drive, Oceanside CA 92056 760-758-4100 ext 140 ALL-STAR CONDUCTORS HEADLINE 2008 ALL-STATE HONOR CHOIRS ...... 8 Cantate is published three times each year. CHANGES TO HONOR CHOIR PROCEDURES OFFER GREATER UNIFORMITY...... 8 Submission Deadlines DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO...SACRAMENTO?...... 10 Fall Issue — August 1 (published September 1) JANE SKINNER HARDESTER MEMORIAL AWARD INFORMATION ...... 10 Winter Issue — December 1 (published January 1) SURVEY SAYS!...... 11 Spring Issue — April 1 (published May 1) USING CALIFORNIA ACDA’S ONLINE MEMBERSEARCH ...... 12 SUMMER CONFERENCE MEMORIES ...... 13 Guidelines for Submissions ECCO ’07 IN PICTURES...... 14 The Editor welcomes the submission of articles, announcements, reports, music and book reviews, job FROM YOUR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES vacancies, and any other item of interest to the THE TOO FAR SOUTH REPORT ...... 16 California ACDA membership. Articles should reach TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD THROUGH SONG...... 17 the Editor no later than the established deadline and should include the following information: NOTES FROM THE NORTH ...... 18 1. Title TEN POSITIVE THINGS TO DO FOR YOURSELF THIS YEAR ...... 19 2. Author’s name and phone/email address KEEPING THE CHORAL ART ALIVE...... 20 3. Name of school, church, or organization 4. Author biography (50 words) FROM YOUR REPERTOIRE AND STANDARDS CHAIRPERSONS 5. A good full-face photo HIGH-QUALITY MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR ...... 22 The manuscript should be limited to a maximum of two THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SHOW CHOIR!...... 23 typewritten pages. Electronic text is preferred and may USING THAT CREATIVE ENERGY!...... 24 be emailed to the Editor at the above address. BUILD BEAUTIFUL TONE THROUGH ITALIAN ART SONGS...... 25 California ACDA reserves the right to edit submissions. BOOKS ON BETH’S DESK ...... 26 Guidelines for Advertising BOARD MEMBERS LISTING AND OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION ...... 27 Charges listed are for camera-ready copy only, submitted electronically by PDF, JPEG, GIF, or TIFF. Cantate is produced in black ink. A check made payable to “California ACDA” must be Advertisers Index postmarked by the submission deadline. You will not be ACDA Western Division 2008 Convention...... 18 billed. Invoices can be prepared upon request. No copy will run without advance payment. If you would like an The Choral Project...... 21 ad to run in more than one issue, please include full California State University Fresno...... 4 payment at the time of the initial ad. California State University Fullerton ...... 9 Advertising copy is subject to editorial approval. The California State University Long Beach...... back cover Editor reserves the right to head and/or box any Riverside Master Chorale...... 12 advertisement bearing confusing resemblance to editorial content. San Francisco State University...... 11 Advertisement dimensions listed below are examples; rates are charged by actual dimensions. For example, 1/3 page is listed at 2.5”x10” but can be any simple rectangle with total area equal to 25 square inches. Advertising Rates Size...... Single Annual 1/6 page (2.5”x5”)...... $55 $110 1/4 page (3.75”x5”) ...... $75 $150 1/3 page (2.5”x10” or 3.33”x7.5”)...... $95 $190 1/2 page (3.75”x10” or 5”x7.5”)...... $140 $280 2/3 page (5”x10” or 6.67”x7.5”)...... $190 $380 Full page (7.5”x10”)...... $275 $550

2 California ACDA • Fall 2007

KEN ABRAMS Making Music [email protected] PRESIDENT with People Like You! www.acdacal.org

Welcome to the new school year, or your fall integrity, musicianship, and talent season, or your preparation for Advent, or just another that represent all of our 1,200 day! It is with great excitement and anticipation that I California ACDA members. It is assume the role of president of California ACDA. I people like them, and like you, who make this have been an active board member for the past twelve organization so dynamic. How can I not be excited to years and feel well-equipped to take on this huge task. work with such a terrific group of people in such a I’m also excited about new possibilities and new fantastic organization? circumstances. Thank you for your participation in and If you are reading this, then it’s highly likely that commitment to California ACDA, and I look forward you consider yourself a “professional” in the field of to seeing you at an upcoming reading session or other the choral arts. Our members, numbering over 1,200— event. If you should have any comments or the largest membership of any state in ACDA— suggestions, please feel free to email me or any of our encompass all levels of directing, from university and board members. ♦ college to community and children’s choirs. We are an organization where each director helps his or her colleagues through encouragement, support, and the fostering of skills and new and innovative ideas. Speaking of innovative ideas, almost 400 members Upcoming Events participated in the California ACDA State Survey this September 8, 2007 past spring. One of the major goals of this new board CA ACDA READING SESSION (NORTH) is to take the information we received from the survey CAL STATE EAST BAY, HAYWARD and translate it into better services and opportunities September 14, 2007 for our members. This applies to the Fall Reading CA ACDA REGIONAL HONOR CHOIR APPLICATION Sessions, the Summer Conference at ECCO, Regional DEADLINE and All-State Honor Choirs, and the Winter Skills October 20, 2007 Workshops. One of the most recent documents we’ve CA ACDA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING created is the California ACDA All-State Honor Choir November 16-18, 2007 Handbook. CA ACDA REGIONAL HONOR CHOIR Like a choir, any organization is really only as good REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCE as its parts. There are several key people who play a Coastal—Stanford University, Palo Alto major role in our California ACDA family to keep the Central—University of the Pacific, Stockton organization working and moving forward. I want to Southern—Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica thank outgoing president Julie Dana for the January 31, 2008 tremendous job she has done and for her dedication to CA ACDA ALL-STATE HONOR CHOIR ACDA. Her leadership was hallmarked by a 110% SIGNED FORM AND FEE DEADLINE commitment to the job. We also have the talent and February 27 – March 1, 2008 skill of our webmaster, Mark Alberstein, who single- ACDA WESTERN REGIONAL CONVENTION, ANAHEIM handedly created our slick layout and homepage. If March 13-15, 2008 you haven’t taken the time, you need to visit ALL-STATE HONOR CHOIR / CMEA STATE www.acdacal.org. Another shining beacon is the new CONVENTION, SACRAMENTO Geoffrey Boers and Jing Ling-Tam, Conductors editor of Cantate, Douglas Lynn, who keeps us all on task and on schedule to get this newsletter compiled July 27-30, 2008 and distributed. And last, but definitely not least, CA ACDA SUMMER CONFERENCE, ECCO, OAKHURST Z. Randall Stroope, Headliner there’s Jan Lanterman, our executive secretary. She takes care of all of the financial business, as well as March 4-7, 2009 tirelessly producing brochures, overseeing registration ACDA NATIONAL CONVENTION, OKLAHOMA CITY 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION of our events—and gladly taking your checks for these productions—as well as a multitude of other tasks and July 26-29, 2009 responsibilities. These four individuals, along with the CA ACDA SUMMER CONFERENCE, ECCO, OAKHURST Rodney Eichenberger, Headliner other 24 board members, are a microcosm of the

California ACDA • Fall 2007 3

DOUGLAS LYNN Cantate Celebrates [email protected] EDITOR Its 20th Year! www.acdacal.org

On the front page of this issue, hiding in the black art, sharing moments of insight, band across the top of the page, is the small phrase inspiration, frustration, and “Volume 20, Number 1.” Cantate is beginning its fortitude with their colleagues and twentieth year of publication to the membership of the friends. California chapter of ACDA. If you have a favorite article in an old, dog-eared This year we celebrate this publication’s twentieth issue that made a difference in the way you lead, please year in service to you, in service to choral music. A let me know, so we can reprint it in an upcoming issue. brief perusal of previous issues in the archive sheds I look forward to sharing these “gems” with you as we some light on the passion and craft that myriad take a look at twenty years of sharing the wealth of members of California ACDA have brought to their experience and our love of this great art. ♦

4 California ACDA • Fall 2007

CHERYL ANDERSON “Winds of May” Blows Fair [email protected] COMPOSITION COMPETITION Ruth Huber Wins California ACDA’s COORDINATOR Sixth Annual Composition Competition www.acdacal.org/composition.htm for Emerging Composers

There were seventeen applications this year for the Ruth Huber has a rich musical California ACDA Composition Competition. As with background as a pianist, singer, and composer. She last year, there were two rounds of judging. The grew up in rural Maryland playing both piano and compositions were received by me, and the first round violin. She earned a bachelor of music degree in piano judges were sent one each of the compositions, criteria performance from the University of Maryland and her for the contest for this year, and guidelines determined first master’s degree in piano pedagogy from the by the Executive Board of California ACDA. The University of Texas at Austin. After a hiatus from the first-round judges made their choices and the second- classical music world as a singer/songwriter, she round judges received the top three returned to school and completed a compositions, from which the final second master’s degree in choice was made. composition from the San This year’s piece was to be Francisco Conservatory of Music, written at an advanced junior high where she studied with David to high school level. Conte and Elinor Armer. Congratulations to Ruth Huber, Her compositions have won from San Jose, the winner of this awards from the San Francisco Art year’s composition competition. Song Festival, the San Francisco She was present at the Summer Conservatory Choral Music Conference at ECCO to hear the Competition, the Austin Music premiere of her piece and receive Umbrella Songwriters’ her award. Ken Abrams, California Competition, and the Kerrville ACDA President, conducted. Folk Festival. She has received Thank yous were extended to commissions from choral groups the five judges for their thoughtful around the country, most recently work in reviewing these from the Orange County Women’s compositions: Dr. Buddy James, Chorus. In addition to vocal music, Mr. Dan Earl, Dr. Anne Hamre, Composition Competition Winner she has composed music for solo Dr. Julie Ford, and Dr. Nick Ruth Huber with Cheryl Anderson and duo piano, clarinet, and Strimple. instrumental ensembles. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as chair Ms. Huber has released three recordings, including of this Composition Competition. I wish Dr. Hamre, her latest, Spirit of Nurture. She has been instrumental next year’s competition coordinator, and California in founding Tapestry (the Austin Women’s Chorus) ACDA much continued success with this worthy and the Rainbow Women’s Chorus of San Jose, which project. ♦ she currently serves as co-director and composer-in- residence. She teaches piano to children and adults, and conducts the music program for the Metropolitan Community Church of San Jose. ♦

Winds of May, that dance on the sea, Dancing a ring-around in glee From furrow to furrow, while overhead “Winds of May” The foam flies up to be garlanded, In silvery arches spanning the air, — James Joyce (1882-1941) reprinted from Chamber Music. Saw you my true love anywhere? London: Elkin Mathews, 1907. Welladay! Welladay! For the winds of May! Love is unhappy when love is away!

California ACDA • Fall 2007 5

Dan Earl Receives 2007 Howard S. Swan Award The Howard S. Swan

(Continued from page 1) majored in music and studied with Award Recipients Dr. William Hall, he began his The Santa Rosa Chamber of teaching career in southern 1985 Russell Bodley Commerce has honored Mr. Earl California in the Tustin City 1986 Sam Barkman with the Spirit of Santa Rosa Schools in 1966. He was selected 1987 Ben Denton award, and in 2003 he was as an Outstanding Young Educator 1988 Eleanor McKnight Haines presented the Arts in Education by the Tustin Jaycee’s in 1975. 1989 Rudy Saltzer Award for Sonoma County. While teaching at Hewes 1990 David Thorsen Earl has directed numerous Intermediate, he met his wife-to- 1991 Art Huff Honor Choirs, the most recent be, Connie, who was teaching 1992 Frank Pooler being the 2006-2007 Coastal math at the same school. After 1993 Jane Hardester Women’s Honor Choir. He has teaching music and drama for 1994 Robert Holmes helped prepare choirs for maestros eleven years at Hewes, in 1977, he 1995 Marjorie Remington Corrick Brown, Jeffrey Kahane, and Connie moved to Santa Rosa Gabriel Sakakeeny, Asher Raboy, to begin his teaching career at 1996 Richard Hansen Nicolas Xenelis, and Dr. William Santa Rosa High School. 1997 Byron McGilvray Hall. From 1978-1990 besides 1998 Charles Hirt For the past seven years Mr. Earl teaching choral music, he also 1999 Dean Semple has been the conductor of the Santa taught the symphonic and 2000 William Hatcher Rosa Symphonic Chorus, and its marching bands, the orchestra, and 2001 Perla Warren chamber ensemble, Voci di Canto the jazz band. 2002 Loren Wiebe (Singing Voices of Santa Rosa), Throughout his career he has 2003 Paul Salamunovich which are community choirs directed several church and 2004 Ginger Covert Colla supported by Santa Rosa Junior handbell choirs. In 1987 he was a 2005 Linda Allen Anderson College. He has been the conductor graduate assistant with 2006 Shirley Nute of the Redwood Empire’s Sing- Dr. Charlene Archibeque at San 2007 R. Daniel Earl Along Messiah for the past 26 Jose State University, where he years. assisted her with the Concert Choir At the California ACDA January With a teaching career that and the Choraliers. Board Meeting, two candidates are spans parts of five decades, more nominated for the Swan Award. These Earl’s choirs have toured to names are submitted and voted upon than 40 years in total, he was Europe numerous times, by the past presidents. At the time of treated to a retirement gala which completing his high school the nomination, the candidates are to included a choir of 450 former teaching career with a tour to be retired from full-time conducting, students and an audience of 900. Prague, in the Czech Republic; having spent the major portion of A 1965 graduate of Chapman Wroclaw, Poland; and Vienna, their careers in California. College/University, where he Austria. ♦

ACDA Advocacy Resolution Whereas, the human spirit is elevated to a broader understanding of itself through study and performance in the aesthetic arts, and Whereas, serious cutbacks in funding and support have steadily eroded state institutions and their programs throughout our country, Be it resolved that all citizens of the United States actively voice their affirmative and collective support for necessary funding at the local, state, and national levels of education and government, to ensure the survival of arts programs. ACDA members are encouraged to print the ACDA Advocacy Resolution in all programs.

6 California ACDA • Fall 2007

In Memoriam...Gene Brooks June 15, 1936 — July 21, 2007

ACDA Executive Gene Brooks cast a lasting and influential footprint Director Gene on ACDA. My most memorable experiences with Brooks passed Gene are those planning the Western Division away this summer. convention with me in Los Angeles in the millennium year. Gene had an incredible business sense to California ACDA negotiate the hotels and performance venues that was members matched by his interpersonal skills and sense of remember him… humor. He was always very appreciative of the many hours it took to oversee the convention. He returned my frequent emails with a personal phone call at work. I also appreciated his southern hospitality. On a hot

and humid night during a national leadership conference in Lawton, Oklahoma, we were all invited I last talked to Gene Brooks at the National to walk across the campus of Cameron University to Convention in Miami. He was so gracious with his the national ACDA headquarters. We were met with a smile and hug after my performance, not to speak of cheery smile from Gene and his wonderful staff and the lovely words expressing how proud he was of me. treated to more watermelon than we could possibly I first met Gene in 1998 when Diva Complex eat. Gene was concerned with the smallest of details performed at the divisional convention in Reno. He which made lasting impressions on me. was sitting at a table, got up, walked right over to me Thank you for your tireless service and dedication and said with a sincere and boisterous drawl “You to ACDA. ladies knocked my socks off and gave ACDA a new Ronald M. Kean, Bakersfield College meaning of performance. Wonderful! Wonderful!” The second was in the year 2000 when I was Transportation Chair for the Western Division. There was a stranded bus after one of the interest sessions, I will never forget the first time I walked into an and he and I were the only two people on the bus. We ACDA National board Meeting in Washington, DC. had chatted like we had known each other for years. Outside of Gary Unruh, I didn’t know a soul. The After that conversation, he invited me to serve on minute I stepped into the room, Gene got up from his several committees. It was there that I really got to see seat and walked over, introduced himself, and a man of great vision and spirit. welcomed me to the meeting. Gene had a way of making people feel special. He Soon, I felt very much at home and a member of the was always smiling. He showed me that I had Board. Gene’s welcoming smile and friendly manner potential. He had a way of bringing people together, set the tone for many of the board meetings I attended. convincing them that they all shared the same vision, His praise of people’s efforts was constant and board and then he helped them find that vision. He was kind members always felt valued. and funny and reminded me of a car salesman with When Gene suggested Reno for our 1997 Western brains and lots of them. Division Convention, I wasn’t certain if it would work. In 2005, I took my kids to a Heritage Festival of During our initial visit to the city, Gene was so Gold where he was an adjudicator. Upon meeting my enthusiastic that soon I was excited about the husband once again, he said with a smile on his face possibilities. As it turned out, Gene was absolutely and a sincere boisterous drawl, “So, you’re the other correct. We had one of the highest attendance numbers man who loves this woman.” He always made me feel for a Western Division Convention to that date. as if I was special. I will miss Gene’s smile, his enthusiasm, and his He is going to be missed. Over his 30 years as encouraging words. ACDA is greatly indebted to Gene ACDA’s Executive Director he impacted more people Brooks for his love towards and leadership of an than he probably knew. I don’t know if he knew how organization that was so central to his life. Thank you he impacted me, but I know that ACDA is going to Gene! We will miss you! miss him. Tom Davies, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Lori Marie Rios, College of the Canyons

California ACDA • Fall 2007 7

California Honor Choirs 2008

All-Star Conductors Headline Changes to Honor Choir Procedures 2008 All-State Honor Choirs Offer Greater Uniformity

The 2008 California All-State Honor Women’s and In May 2007, the regional and all-state honor choir Mixed Choirs will meet for rehearsals and coordinators met with California ACDA board performance in Sacramento, March 13-15, 2008. members Julie Dana, Ken Abrams, and Lori Marie Rehearsals will be held in the Sheraton Grand Rios to align the state in practices concerning the Sacramento Hotel with the honor choirs’ performance audition process for the regional and all-state honor on Saturday afternoon, March 15, in the Sacramento choirs. Much was learned at this meeting regarding the Convention Center. different manner in which each region conducted its Jing Ling-Tam, Professor of auditions. As a result, the following audition Music and Director of Choral guidelines have been put in place for a two-year period Studies at the University of Texas, at which time California ACDA will examine the Arlington, will conduct the process and make changes if necessary. Women’s Honor Choir. Professor • The adjudication form scoring has been adjusted in Ling-Tam has conducted all-state the areas of tonal memory, sight-reading, and scale and honor choirs throughout the scoring. A copy of this form is available online. United States. She conducted the • Tonal memory examples will begin with basic Western Division 2004 World rhythm and gradually increase in rhythmic Music Honor Choir in Las Vegas, complexity. One more example has been added Nevada. Heather Bishop will serve as accompanist for making a total of five. the 2008 Women’s Honor Choir. • Judging will be done by ACDA members. They Dr. Geoffrey Boers, Director of can be high school, college, and approved junior Choral Activities at the University high school choral directors. (Non-ACDA of Washington, will conduct the members and/or graduate students, etc., will not be Mixed Honor Choir. Dr. Boers used under any circumstances.) maintains an active conducting, • There will be two adjudicators in each audition teaching, workshop, and clinic room. These adjudicators will collaborate to give schedule. Recent engagements each student an agreed-upon single score for their have taken him to mainland China, audition. Thailand, Alice Tully Hall and • Adjudicators will hear all voice types in each Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy audition room. Center, where he serves as artistic director for the Washington DC Choral Festival. Dr. Daniel Kerr will • Under no circumstances will adjudicators be serve as accompanist for the 2008 Mixed Honor Choir. allowed to audition their own students. Audition materials for Regional and All-State • A site host will not adjudicate at his or her site. He Honor Choirs were mailed in the middle of August. or she will send scores directly to the regional The audition materials are also available for review chairperson. It is the responsibility of the regional and downloading at the California ACDA website, chairperson to send completed audition forms back www.acdacal.org. ♦ to the directors. (Continued on page 9)

SHIRLEY NUTE JULIE DANA [email protected] [email protected] HONOR CHOIR CHAIR VICE-PRESIDENT www.acdacal.org/honorchoirs.htm www.acdacal.org

8 California ACDA • Fall 2007

Changes in Honor Choir Procedures

(Continued from page 8)

• Students will be selected for the three regional honor choirs and for the all- state honor choirs based on raw scores. We will no longer be using a method of “standard deviation” for this process.

Directors wishing to have in-service training on the audition process may contact Julie Dana at [email protected]. A tentative adjudicator in-service will be scheduled in the afternoon after the Hayward Reading Session if enough interested directors reply. We are working hard to streamline a process that has been constantly changing and evolving from year to year. Please contact your regional coordinator with your willingness to participate as an honor choir adjudicator as soon as possible along with the location/date that is convenient for you. There were many questions regarding the requirement for notary signatures for the release forms last year. This was a directive from ACDA National, and this policy affects every state with an honor choir. You will also notice the change in housing reservations for the 2008 All-State Honor Choir. Again, according to ACDA’s national policy, it is the individual director and /or parent who must secure the housing for their singers. To assist with this process you will be made aware of other high schools in your area who will be sending singers to the All-State Honor Choir in order to facilitate finding roommates. All new procedures are outlined in the California ACDA All-State Honor Choir Handbook recently adopted by the California State Board of Directors. We thank you for your hard work with these singers, and we look forward to wonderful regional and all-state honor choirs this year! ♦

California ACDA • Fall 2007 9

MARY PURDY Do You Know the Way to… [email protected] CMEA LIAISON Sacramento? www.acdacal.org/honorchoirs.htm

Okay, so it doesn’t have quite the ring that San Jose us in our methods class that we has, but I hope it caught your attention. As most of us should join as many of our are getting ready to start school, we are working on professional organizations as that all-important repertoire. We are also getting our possible, as we become better teachers because of each rooms ready for those eager young minds that we are group. going to mold. As we are finishing a, hopefully, restful I hope I will see many of you in Sacramento at summer vacation, we aren’t ready to think about that CMEA and the All-State Honor Choir concerts! ♦ time of the year when we need a break—around March—when we need to be refreshed and invigorated! However, it is time to start thinking about it now. What, you ask, am I talking about? I’m talking about JANE SKINNER HARDESTER attending the CMEA Conference in Sacramento, MEMORIAL AWARD March 13-15, 2008. What are some reasons you should go to the CMEA Conference? Applications Now Available The first reason you might consider going is that you

will hear some really good choral ensembles. Last year, Jane Skinner Hardester (1922-2006) had a long we were privileged to have choirs directed by ACDA and distinguished career as a choral educator in the members John Tebay, Randi Carp, Sandra Robinson, ACDA Western Division. In recognition for her Melva Morrison, and John Sorber, just to name a few. outstanding leadership and contributions to ACDA Another reason to go to the conference is the and her dedication to the choral art, the Jane Skinner keynote speaker. This last year it was Dr. Tim Hardester Memorial Award has been established. Lautzenheiser who was inspiring and amusing. Those This award will be presented each year to two of us who were in attendance were thrilled with Jose aspiring choral conductors who will be members of Hernandez and his Mariachi band, the warm-up group ACDA to support their attendance at a workshop or for Dr. Tim. Mr. Hernandez amazed us with his ability conference that will assist them in their professional to hold a note for longer than anyone imagined development as a choral musician. possible. Dr. Tim said it was “circular breathing”! Get out your cell phones (21st century lighters)! Choral music teachers in their first seven years of full-time pre-collegiate teaching will be eligible. Carroll Gonzo, editor of the Choral Journal, provided a third reason to attend the conference with Applicants must submit an application form, a one- his Choral Boot Camp on the first day. His boot camp page letter stating the applicant’s goals in attending was filled with inspiring anecdotes, useful the workshop or conference, and two letters of information, and excellent teaching tips. recommendation (one professional and one personal). The application may be down-loaded from the ACDA A fourth reason to go to the CMEA conference is to Western Division website: reconnect with some of your colleagues who teach instrumental music. It is always a pleasure for me to www.acdaonline.org/Western/HardesterApp.doc rekindle some of my college relationships as well as to Recipients of the award will submit a report to the visit people with whom I have taught! I always look Western Division president within six months, forward to seeing my friends. following the receipt of the award. Recipient reports Finally, the culmination of the conference is the will be published in the ACDA Western Division ACDA-sponsored performances of the All-State newsletter, Tactus. Availability of funds will Honor Choirs. This past year the choirs were directed determine the amount of the awards presented by André Thomas (Mixed), Leslie Guelker-Cone annually. (Women’s), and Michelle Weir (Jazz). All of the Applications should be submitted to the president choirs were fabulous! The honor choir concerts are of the Western Division by September 15, 2007. The always highlights of the conference! selections of recipients will be made in mid-October Whenever I attend the CMEA conference, I come 2007, and all applicants will be notified by mid- away with many new ideas, as I do after I attend November 2007. ACDA functions. One of my college professors taught

10 California ACDA • Fall 2007

JULIE DANA [email protected] Survey Says! VICE PRESIDENT www.acdacal.org

Last Spring, the California ACDA Congratulations to Gloria Hilliard of “There’s nothing Board of Directors distributed a survey to Agoura Hills, the winner of our drawing so constant as the membership for their input on future for a new iPod. The board appreciates the change.” Look for activities and events. large number of respondents and would future announcements on the website and The following is a summary of the like to thank all those who participated in this newsletter. ♦ results. the survey.

APPROXIMATE MEMBERSHIP: 1,200 TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 386 PARTICIPATION: 32% MEMBERSHIP DISTRIBUTION Respondents represented the five California regions in nearly identical proportion to overall membership distribution.

CAREER LONGEVITY 0-5 years 24.10% 6-20 years 44.36% 21+ years 2.82% Retired 8.72%

AREAS OF ACTIVITY Primary/K-5 9.50% Middle School/Junior High 12.91% Secondary/High School 20.83% College/University 11.69% Worship Music 22.66% Community Choirs 16.69% Professional Choirs 5.72% (The total percentage equals more than 100% because many members conduct in more than one activity area.) Based on member responses, the board is prioritizing needs and working on innovations. Among the most frequent suggestions were addressing the needs of college and university students, supporting the new choral director (0-5 years), accessibility of events (location/ travel time), and balanced offerings for all choral activity areas at our events.

California ACDA • Fall 2007 11

MARK ALBERSTEIN Using California ACDA’s [email protected] WEBMASTER Online MemberSearch www.acdacal.org

A useful tool on our California ACDA website, Clicking the “Search” button www.acdacal.org, is our new MemberSearch feature. takes you to a new page which Introduced about three months ago, MemberSearch displays a listing of every has undergone continuous refinements. We hope you California ACDA member in the southern Region who will find it capable of producing just has stated that they are involved in high school about any result you need as you women’s choirs. (My search returned 170 names!) The search our membership database. listing includes all of the contact information you will For example: Let’s imagine that you need to generate your mailing (or emailing) list. Each are planning to host a choral festival list displays a maximum of 25 results per page. At the The listing exclusively for high school women’s bottom of the list, you will see links to additional includes choirs, and that you would like to results, if there are more than 25 total items returned. send invitations to women’s choirs The list is not downloadable, but without much all of the contact from all over the southern Region of trouble you can Select, Copy, and Paste the list into California ACDA. your own spreadsheet program. Remember to look at information After logging into MemberSearch the bottom of the list to see if there are additional with your last name and your ACDA pages. You will have to copy each page separately but you will need membership number (found on your you can copy them all into the same spreadsheet. to generate Choral Journal mailing label), you When logging into MemberSearch, the Last Name are presented with the search form. field is not case-sensitive. The ACDA membership your mailing The search form allows you to do a number should be entered without leading zeros. For search on any of the following fields: example, if your membership number is “00110” you (or emailing) list. Last Name, First Name, City, would enter “110” (without quotation marks). County, Region, Choir Type, and If you encounter any difficulties whatsoever in Activity Area. You may enter criteria using MemberSearch, or if you have a very successful in as many fields as you wish. experience, please email our California ACDA In our example search—women’s webmaster, at [email protected]. Let us know choirs from the southern region—you would enter the how you are using MemberSearch! ♦ criteria “Southern” in the Region field, you would enter “w” in the Choir Type field, and you would enter “3” in the Activity Area field. Helpful “Keys” are provided on the search and results pages for Regions, Choir Type, and Activity Area. (Do not use quotation marks when entering criterion in search fields. Search www.acdacal.org fields are not case-sensitive.)

12 California ACDA • Fall 2007

JO ANNE STODDARD Summer Conference [email protected] SUMMER CONFERENCE CHAIR Memories www.acdacal.org/ecco.htm

California ACDA hosted another very successful the job description given to them. and memorable Summer Conference at ECCO (the The summer conference at ECCO Episcopal Conference Center at Oakhurst) in would not happen each year Oakhurst, California. Henry Leck, the main clinician, without our executive secretary, Jan Lanterman, who was incredibly motivating. His sessions on Voice spends countless hours preparing for this event. Ken Building, the Boy’s Expanding Voice, and Creative Abrams and Julie Dana are an inspiration to everyone Visualization were informative and useful to all levels who meets them. From planning this year’s Mexican of choral directors. None of us who attended the Laban Fiesta to serving beverages, rehearsing the “model Conducting session will ever think of conducting quite choir,” being MC of the Talent Show, organizing the the same. Rather, we will mark our scores with “float,” final slide show, and everything in between, they are “wring,” “glide,” “press,” “flick,” “slash,” “dab,” and both so giving to the state ACDA membership. We are (believe it or not) “punch.” Our last session with extremely fortunate to have them as our state president Henry Leck on Wednesday morning dealt with and vice president. It has truly been their efforts and Eurhythmics. Our eyes were opened to the many mannerisms that have made our Summer Conference experiences and sensations we, as musicians, have radiate an atmosphere of acceptance, encouragement, available to us. We are now much better equipped to and fun. share these experiences with our students in a truly I am already looking forward to returning to ECCO meaningful way. in 2008 where we will have Z. Randall Stroope as our As chairperson of this year’s summer conference, I main clinician! ♦ wish to thank everyone who registered and participated. The success of this event is due to the wide array of personalities and talents we all share at the conference. This is truly a diverse group of people who share an incredible passion for the choral art form. What a gift it is to have an opportunity to learn, laugh, dance, and sing together. I am very grateful to Peg Hutson, Mark Alberstein, Karen Garrett, Cheryl Anderson, Nick Strimple, Douglas Lynn, Gary Lamprecht, Phil Robb, Ken Abrams, Dan Earl, Rodger Guerrero, Charlotte Smurthwaite, Jeff Seaward, Signe Boyer, Beth Klemm, Kathryn Smith, and Josh Habermann, who all led very well organized and informative interest sessions, conducting classes, or voice classes. Your time and effort in preparation for these sessions was monumental Above: Jo Anne Stoddard, Summer Conference Chair, introduces 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade boys from her and greatly appreciated. school district who participated in Henry Leck’s session on I wish to extend a special thank you to J.W. Pepper “The Boy’s Expanding Voice.” of San Francisco who donated all of the sheet music Below: “Teambuilding” just doesn’t cover it.… for our conference. Thousands of pieces of music! If you are able, please consider using J.W. Pepper for your music purchases this year. I also want to thank Heather Bishop for serving as the conference accompanist and adding her incredible talent to our many enriching sessions with Henry Leck. My gratitude extends to Joel Pressman, Charles Young, and Mark Alberstein for their technical savvy. Our Hospitality Crew, comprised of Burt Vasché and Duane Lovaas, deserves a huge thank you from all conference attendees. In closing, there are three people I want to specially thank because they give of themselves far, far beyond

California ACDA • Fall 2007 13

ECCO ’07 in pictures

Clockwise, from above: Henry Leck and Ken Abrams after a hard day’s clinician-ing; Working with “stretchies” (because “Eurhythmics” is too hard to spell); “I am Adolpho!” (2nd Annual Talent Show); Look who volunteered for the Demonstration Choir!

14 California ACDA • Fall 2007

Clockwise, from top left: Literature for Children’s Choir and Adult Mixed Choir; Dancing at the Fiesta; “Dr.” Henry H. Leck receiving his diploma from Jo Anne Stoddard, Summer Conference Chairperson, and Ken Abrams, CA ACDA President; Kathryn Smith and Josh Habermann—Viva La Difference!; “What am I?”

See you next year with Z. Randall Stroope!

California ACDA • Fall 2007 15

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

BILL HATCHER [email protected] The Too Far South Report FAR SOUTH www.acdacal.org/farsouth.htm

In the past I have often been asked to write a report 10. Tell the conductor, “I’m not to choral conductors that is challenging, thoughtful, sure of the beat.” Conductors and meaningful. This time I’ve abandoned that charge, are always sensitive about their and instead present some time-worn and, like those “stick technique,” so challenge it frequently. other reports, not always original thoughts that you Some of your singers have undoubtedly mastered might want to share with your singers about some of these techniques, but for those who would like KEEPING THE CONDUCTOR IN LINE to perfect the “art,” I hope this will prove helpful. ♦ 1. Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the —adapted from Philip Cave’s “The Singer” conductor know that you don’t have any music. 2. Loudly clear your throat during pauses (tenors are trained to do this from birth). Quiet instrumental interludes are a good opportunity for blowing your nose. 3. Never be satisfied with the starting pitch. If the conductor uses a pitch pipe, insist on your preference for the piano, and vice versa. 4. Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, the lack of space, or a draft. It is best to do this when the conductor is under pressure. 5. When the opportunity arises, ask, “Is this the first time you’ve conducted this piece?” Or you can ask if s/he has listened to the Bernstein recording of the piece you are rehearsing. Imply that s/he could learn a thing or two from it. 6. Bury your head in the music just before an important cue. 7. Whenever possible, sing your part either an octave AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT above or below what is written. This is excellent ear training for the conductor. If s/he hears the Soli Deo Gloria announces auditions for its 32nd pitch, deny it and claim that he must be hearing the season which will include the annual Christmas harmonics. Concert, a spring performance of the Fauré Requiem and a U.S. premiere by Allan Bevan, and a May 8. If you are singing in a language with which the tribute to St. Cecilia with works by Handel, Britten, conductor is a bit unfamiliar, ask as many and Bach. Join this 40-voice ensemble and work in a questions as possible about the meaning of university-level environment under the direction of individual words. Occasionally, say the word twice Allen Simon. and ask for preference for pronunciation, making certain to say it exactly the same both times. If s/he Auditions for Fall 2007 will be on Saturday, remarks on their similarity, give a look of utter September 8, in Alameda at Trinity Lutheran Church, disdain and mutter under your breath about 1323 Central Avenue. “subtleties of inflection.” For more information, please call 888-SDG-SONG (888-734-7664) or send an email for an appointment. 9. Look at your watch frequently. Shake it in disbelief Rehearsals begin Monday, September 10, at 7:15pm occasionally. in Alameda. More info: www.sdgloria.org

16 California ACDA • Fall 2007

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

DANIEL HUGHES Transforming Our World [email protected] BAY AREA through Song www.acdacal.org/bay.htm

Greetings! I am Daniel Hughes, your new Bay Area highlight our similarities while Representative for California ACDA. It is an honor to celebrating our differences in song. serve you. If you have any questions or concerns with We can heal a wounded spirit (how which I can help, do not hesitate to contact me. many times has someone in your audience suffered While I was mulling over what my first article for tragedy prior to your concert, and left feeling healed?). this issue of Cantate should be, I took some time to We can even affect social change and attitudes through reflect on what it is we do as choral conductors. So, I choral music (indeed GALA Choruses have been decided to make this the focus of this article. What is it changing people’s hearts and minds through song for we truly do? Why do we do it? I have a few thoughts years). Whether we are singing Bach or bee-bop, Eric on the matter—and granted: they are only my Whitacre or African folk music, the kind of artistic thoughts. intention we place behind this music can be magical. We live in a world where classical We truly have a magnificent and powerful medium at music is in danger. This art form has our command. The “art” become very separate from its So, as you embark on a new year of music-making, counterpart: popular music. Even 75 take the time to really think about why you do what in this art form years ago, the two were not so distant you do. Why do you choose each piece for your from each other. Classical music had ensemble? What will its effect be? Why do you can speak to the an easier time reaching the masses. It perform at certain times of the year and for whom? It is not quite the same today. The may be due to your institution’s traditions. Are they listener on a further apart classical and popular worthy traditions? You may find that as you privately myriad of levels, music veer from each other, the less answer these questions that what you are doing, and influence classical music has on our when you are doing it, does not change at all—that all as well as have overall society. To complicate the of your work functions brilliantly. But perhaps by issue, classical music is typically simply asking and answering these questions, you will multitudes of presented in a “master-student” gain more clarity about the things you do, and this model: the “master” on the stage, might augment your creative choices. Ultimately, I meanings distant and removed from the hope that these thoughts may bring into greater focus listeners, expertly displaying to the the wonderful work all our California choral directors for all those “students” in the audience what he or are already doing! ♦ who hear it. she can do. This distance increases the inaccessibility of the craft to the everyday person. Lastly, classical music is generally regarded as a genre for the culturally literate, the educated, and the middle to upper classes. The more separate our art form becomes The superiority from those who do not fit into these aforementioned categories, the more difficult it will be for us to do our of vocal to instrumental music jobs. is that while one But what is that job? I believe that our job is to transform our world through song: our students, our only pleases the ear, singers, and our audiences. The “art” in this art form the other informs can speak to the listener on a myriad of levels, as well as have multitudes of meanings for all those who hear the understanding. it—all of which can be simultaneously true (for that is one successful working definition of “art” in and of itself). Moreover, the power of a group united in text — The Sacred Harp, 1844 can be overwhelming. We have the opportunity to better our world through choral music. We can bring together disparate communities, and in doing so

California ACDA • Fall 2007 17

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

SUZIE PETERSON [email protected] Notes from the North NORTHERN www.acdacal.org/north.htm

It is hard to believe summer is over. I took some year to year and am pleased to find members of my community chorus, Diablo Women’s things that might work better next Chorale, to Australia for the Australia Presents year. Festival with Charlotte Adams. There were many Even with our building in a mess, I know the choirs from all over the United States including high locations of the basic theory papers, the rounds to start school choirs, church choruses, and mixed choruses. off the year, and the Italian art songs so we can get What a great way to spend the summer, performing started. The auditions for the California regional honor and traveling. choirs are only a few weeks after school starts. So I try Now it is back to reality. I wonder how many of to find two art songs that will work and get the singers you are moving into new school facilities. We are, and ready. I hope all of you will encourage your singers to it is overwhelming—I don’t know where the music audition. library is, or a desk for the office is, or just how we are As we begin another year, I invite those of you who going to start the year. are in the Northern area to feel free to contact me if While on my 14-hour trip to and 14-hour trip from there are questions or suggestions. If you have some Australia, I decided to bring some reading material. I great ideas or suggestions that you would like to pass found some paperback books on conducting, rehearsal along, send them to me, and I’ll put them on the techniques, and literature. I printed out some website. And don’t forget to check the website information from www.choralnet.org to review. Of www.acdacal.org. It is really wonderful! course, we all know these things; but I forget from Have a great year! ♦

18 California ACDA • Fall 2007

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

JO ANNE STODDARD Ten Positive Things to Do [email protected] CENTRAL COAST for Yourself This Year www.acdacal.org/coastal.htm

1. Exercise 4-5 times each week. As I write this article on August 1, I am beginning As you plan your day, schedule to feel that “empty” feeling I always experience when exercise into the daily routine. the month of August arrives. I’ll bet I’m not the only The benefits will permeate into all areas of your one! The last relaxing, peaceful weeks of summer are life, including your teaching. almost a memory, and the busy regimen of the school 2. Eat a balanced diet. When planning your meals, year is WAY too near. A basic habit like eating a try to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables balanced diet can become almost impossible due to as well as lean protein. A healthy diet greatly time constraints. As I prepare my “self” for this affects how you feel and how well your body onslaught, it occurs to me that we all need to performs. remember to nurture ourselves when life gets so busy 3. Drink plenty of water. Very few of us drink and we give so much of ourselves to others. (This is enough water. Having a water bottle nearby will especially true for those of us who have children of also set a good example for your students. our own.) So, I am writing this list for myself. I’m sure Unfortunately, coffee, tea, soda, juice, beer or wine there are other readers, like me, who will benefit from do not count as “water.” this reminder. 4. Take your multi-vitamin every day. I hope there is something on this list that will “strike a chord” and help you during the upcoming 5. Plan to arrive at school or rehearsal early year. I wish you and your students a very enriching enough to allow for total preparation — mentally, physically, and spiritually. and successful year of music. Don’t forget to take care of your “self” along the journey. ♦ 6. Take a few moments daily to reflect on why you became involved in music. Who were the people that inspired you? Why? How can you exemplify those same traits more consistently and effectively to those you are leading? 7. Consider making a personal “mission statement” that you can refer to when life becomes overwhelming. We all experience days that are discouraging. We need the “armor” to lift ourselves up and rejuvenate quickly. 8. Don’t forget to do a daily “kind deed” for someone you encounter in your day. This could be your school secretary, a colleague, a parent who supports you “behind the scenes”, a student who has gone “over and beyond” your expectations, or, most importantly, a family member. One kind deed goes a long way. 9. Try to read something that expands your awareness beyond music, teaching, or your profession. Tunnel vision is not healthy. We are in the enviable position of being able to affect positively many people’s awareness of social More memories issues. We need to be well versed in current events from the Summer and global issues. Conference 10. Use your musical talent for your own personal Above: the enjoyment. We often forget the joy and thrill of Prayer Service playing or singing as a performer because we are moves outside always standing on the podium with our back to the Below: audience. It feels wonderful to switch places and re- Henry Leck – experience the value of physically creating music! Creating Artistry California ACDA • Fall 2007 19

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

JOHN TEBAY [email protected] Keeping the Choral Art Alive SOUTHERN www.acdacal.org/south.htm

From the elementary music teacher to the graduate musical, expressive, well-tuned music professor, one of the challenges of all choral singing. The impossible that occurs directors is advocacy. But more challenging than is the creation of beauty in art. keeping choral music alive in our educational system A second thief could be growing weary with the is keeping it alive in our soul. From that first moment familiar. A favorite meal eaten too frequently will find we are smitten with the beauty of a fine choir, itself banned from the weekly menu. A favorite song something planted begins to grow. We progress from played too much might be deleted from the play list. A learning to listen to learning how to sing, from how to favorite movie viewed too many times may never be sing to how to conduct. The freshness of new viewed again. But week after week, decade after discovery, exploration, and success makes it easy to decade the choral director walks into the rehearsal… maintain life in our music-making. And whether it is again. the sheer beauty of the choral art or the drive to impress and succeed, these things are motivating. But The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking there comes a time when we have “been there” and new landscapes, but in having new eyes. “done that” and the question of “what’s next?” arises. —Marcel Proust It is here the true challenge begins. The newness, the freshness, the first-time vibrancy It will be helpful to list some of the elements of must come from within. A vital goal would be that choral music-making that encourage and edify us to choir directors would not be the same people today as press on to progressive levels of life in the choral art. they were yesterday. If the director stops growing and There are many, but here are three: First, there is the learning, the art will slowly die. There must be a joy of the unification of many voices to produce one discovery of “new eyes,” a new way to look at things, precious moment of beauty. The choir comes together a new approach to each rehearsal. with varying shapes, sizes, races, cultures, voice A third element that might steal the life out of ranges, voice types, and musical abilities. How choral music would be growing weary with the same amazing it can be when the result of effort yields a obstacles. These might sound familiar. beautifully crafted experience of art for the listener, Poor singers Too few tenors the singer, and the conductor. Unsupportive parents Too much district opposition A second encouraging element of choral music Poor musicians Too few singers might be the perpetuation of beauty created. Whether Unsupportive students Too much paperwork composed in the past 24 hours or the past 1,000 years, Poor pianos Too few dollars as the composition is excellently performed, the Unsupportive administration Too much work beauty lives on. The choir director is called to master all of these A third element would be the privilege to use choral obstacles. This can be overwhelming and send us back music in such a way that arouses emotions, tells great to the first stealing element, our own limitations and stories, and potentially changes lives forever. What a failures. gift there is waiting to be given. But in this amazing journey of choral directing No one is to be called an enemy; all are your there can be the elements that steal the life out of the benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no art. There are many, and here are three: A first thief enemy except yourselves. might be that debilitating moment when we are faced —Saint Francis of Assisi with our own limitations and the experience of failure. Keep the beauty growing, learning, and thriving in Feelings of inadequacy and inability can cripple and the depth of the soul, and the art will continue with life failures can result in giving up. and strength. Dante said, “Art is the grandchild of Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s God.” So who is the parent? The artist! possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. So you have failed? You have not failed; you have —Saint Francis of Assisi gained experience. Forward! It is necessary to help and require the choir to work —Saint Josemaría Escrivá ♦ in unity. From there it is possible to learn to teach

20 California ACDA • Fall 2007

California ACDA • Fall 2007 21

REPERTOIRE & STANDARDS

DR. JONATHAN TALBERG High-Quality Musical [email protected] YOUTH & STUDENT ACTIVITIES Selections for the New Year www.acdacal.org/student.htm

This is Dr. Talberg’s final article as the Repertoire and Published in the spring by Standards Chair for Colleges & University Choirs. He has Pavane, since feeling is first, by begun a term as the Youth & Student Activities Chair. Orange County-based composer English composer Kerry Andrew has written a and conductor Joshua Chai, provides a perfect choral haunting and wonderful Marian anthem in her Hevene love song for inclusion on a Valentine’s concert or Quene, published last year in the New Horizons series madrigal show. Written principally in 7/8, the secular by Oxford University Press. The multi-talented enfant work, on a text by e.e. cummings, is for accompanied terrible has a personal website on which she lists her SATB choir. It features tight, jazz-inspired harmonies, influences as: Meredith Monk, Tom Waits, Zap a rolling rhythm, a moderately-difficult a cappella Mama, Central African Pygmy music, Bjork, Sigur section, and one of the prettiest uses of a tone cluster Ros, mythology and folk tales, Bang-On-A-Can All this conductor has ever taught. since feeling is first Stars, Kronos Quartet, Brian Wilson, Laurie Anderson, works beautifully with a good collegiate chamber folk, hip hop, abstract expressionism, and choir, or an advanced high school mixed ensemble. contemporary poetry. Her newest choral work, Hevene Los Angeles-based composer J. A .C. Redford has Quene, for eight-part unaccompanied choir and given us an absolutely beautiful (and difficult) five- soprano, tenor, and bass solos, is based on a 13th minute work in his Napili Bay, 2PM. Setting one of his century anonymous English poem; the middle English own poems—reminiscent in scope and sentiment to text is pictorial, vibrant, and interesting. Her setting James Agee’s prologue to A Death in the Family combines aleatoric techniques, modal sonorities, (familiar to musicians as the text for Samuel Barber’s chant-like rhythm, and asymmetrical phrasing to Knoxville, Summer-1915)—Redford’s eight-part create a meditative four-minute work worthy of an setting was created for the Long Beach-based, exceptionally fine choir. professional ensemble Zephyr: Voices Unbound. A Now published separately from the Oxford Choral rhythmic ostinato on the word “water” provides a Classics anthology, European Sacred Music, Dietrich Monet-like impression of the ‘sea adorned with Buxtehude’s Magnificat is available in an elegant diamonds.’ The work, appropriate for a top-notch octavo edition, edited by John Rutter. Scored for university-level chamber choir, is available from SSATB choir with strings and continuo (or organ), this Roger Dean. ♦ multi-sectioned work is a wonderful piece for collegiate chamber choir (or, conceivably, larger ensemble) and soloists. Rutter makes appropriate suggestions for concerti/ritornelli and realizes a fine “Repertoire & Standards”? accompaniment from the original German organ tablature. Perfect for a holiday concert—especially one where strings or continuo are being employed— The fourteen national Repertoire and Standards this baroque piece allows singers and audience a (R&S) Committees provide support, vision, and chance to experience the genius of one of J. S. Bach’s resources for every major area of choral work in favorite composers. ACDA. The Messe a Trois Voix by André Caplet (1878- R&S Chairs, appointed at the national, division, and 1925) is a gorgeous a cappella five-movement setting state levels, serve members who share similar that can be sung by three-part women’s choir, men’s interests, by providing resources that promote choir, or a combination of both. The work, about 12 excellence in the performance of choral music: minutes long, demonstrates an impressionist, sparse, • Leadership, information, and networking; post-romantic setting of the Mass. Claude Debussy • Excellence among colleagues; recognized Caplet’s artistry and sensitivity, praising • Professional growth; his ‘gift for conjuring up an atmosphere’ and his ‘rare • Choral music in the lives of people. 1 sense of proportion’ in composition. The work, These are the people you should call if you have published by Durand, is achievable by a good college questions about your particular area of music. (See the or an outstanding high school ensemble. inside back cover or check out www.acdacal.org.) ♦

22 California ACDA • Fall 2007

REPERTOIRE & STANDARDS

TONY ATIENZA The Wonderful World [email protected] SHOW CHOIRS of Show Choir! www.acdacal.org/show.htm

As a new addition to the board, I am very happy to JANUARY 19, 2008 be an advocate for this complex part of vocal music Fantasy Festival (non competitive we have named show choir. I am currently the director clinic/workshop)—Chula Vista of vocal music at Chula Vista High School, which is contact: Roxanne Ronacher [email protected] south of San Diego and five minutes north of Mexico. JANUARY 26 I am also an adjunct professor at Southwestern College Aztec Sing—Azusa where I am the musical director and also teach piano. I contact: Leslie Clutterham have been involved in show choir since my high [email protected] school days and have been hooked ever since! After FEBRUARY 2 high school I went on to “The Young Americans,” Ladies’ Center Stage (All-Girls Show Choirs only)— which helped further my love for the art of singing and Brea contact: David Willert [email protected] dancing all together! I am now entering my 15th year FEBRUARY 8 of teaching and directing at Chula Vista High School Diamond Bar Competition—Azusa for the Creative and Performing Arts! contact: Patty Brietag [email protected] The funny thing about show choir (formerly known FEBRUARY 9 as “swing choir”) that I have observed, is that vocal Brea Classic—Brea music directors either love it or hate it. For those who contact: David Willert [email protected] choose to dislike it, perhaps they may not be familiar FEBRUARY 9 with it or just don’t know how to do it. Show choir, if For Ladies Only (All-Girl’s Show Choirs only)—Chula Vista done correctly, can be an amazing experience for you contact: Roxanne Ronacher and your students! Many schools have found a balance [email protected] with show choir and traditional concert choirs in their FEBRUARY 23 vocal music programs! Tournament of Champions—Whittier Several show choir alumni include: Lance Bass contact: Lawrence Fitz [email protected] (NSYNC), Eden Espinosa (Elphaba in Wicked), Clay MARCH 8 Los Alamitos Competition—Los Alamitos Aiken (American Idol), Susan Egan (Broadway star), contact: Randi Carp [email protected] and even Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen) who played MARCH 15 guitar for his high school show choir! There are many Hart Competition—Newhall more, but it is fun to see some names who had this contact: Gail Hart [email protected] fantastic experience! Many have gone on in the field MARCH 21 to perform on Broadway, television, and the movies! Arcadia’s Big Pow Wow—San Gabriel I want to urge you to attend any local show choir contact: Rollie Maxson [email protected] APRIL 12 competitions (which usually occur in the spring) and John Burroughs Competition—Burbank see for yourself some outstanding performances that contact: Brendan Jennings are just not a concert or show, but…an Event! The [email protected] next column contains competitions in Southern APRIL 19 California for 2008! The Southern California Show Choir Invitiational— Best of luck for your upcoming school year, and we San Diego hope to see you at any of these spectacular events! ♦ contact: Tony Atienza tonyatienza@gmail

www.acdacal.org The California ACDA Website Hundreds of Resources Event Dates ● Registration Forms

California ACDA • Fall 2007 23

REPERTOIRE & STANDARDS

LINDA LOVAAS [email protected] Using that Creative Energy! MIDDLE SCHOOL & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS www.acdacal.org/middle.htm

Hello to all of you and welcome to a new school recycling the same old music year! I am happy to be back on the California ACDA through every few years, but also board and am looking forward to working again with with vocal and physical exercises, these great people. I teach seventh and eighth grade sight-reading materials and methods, and class chorus and general music classes with Modesto City management. Find new materials and ideas by meeting Schools in the Central Valley. I work with low-income with your local music teachers or attending a and English-learner (EL) students. I love my job and conference or workshop, like the California ACDA hope you love yours, too! Summer Conference at ECCO or an ACDA Reading I hope you will all take a moment when you see Peg Session. See if you can meet with your area or county Hutson and tell her what a great job she has done as teachers, maybe as an in-service day, and come up with our state Repertoire & Standards (R&S) Chair for the your own discussion panel for sharing. How about last few years. She is now the Junior calling on music people you meet at High/Middle School R&S Chair for ECCO or a workshop or someone in Western Division. We will all benefit another county close to you and see if from her leadership and her SMILE! We can teach they will come and share with you Thanks for a job well done, Peg! and your fellow teachers. If you don’t I want also to take this opportunity anyone, anything, know where to start, contact me, and to encourage you all to check out the I’ll get you going. Don’t be afraid to audition information for the Anaheim any time and try new things—use that creative Western Division Junior High Honor energy, and go for it! Choir that went out mid- to late- make musicians Another way to try new things is August. The audition material is to some degree to buy into your district trainings for available at the Western Division the core subject teachers. In my ACDA website, acdaonline.org/ out of all of school district, ALL elective teachers Western/Welcome.html. The are being called on to show support postmark deadline for submitting the them, and on top and evidence of teaching math, audition materials is September 28, science, language arts, and history in 2007, and the convention dates are of that, our our classrooms because of the No February 27 through March 1, 2008. Child Left Behind (NCLB) sanctions. If you do not get anything in the students learn I’m sure some of you are in the same mail, please check online at our more about the position, so try some of those website, www.acdacal.org, or feel teaching methods that the core free to contact me, and I will help core subject areas subject teachers are being made to you out. It will be a fabulous honor learn. Learn them and be creative in choir experience. Not only is it close through our using them in your music rehearsal. to home AND near Disneyland, but It will strengthen your teaching we will have an exceptional classes. habits AND keep the arts going in conductor! Judith Herrington, the this tough time. We, as musicians, founder and artistic director of the already use a lot of these teaching Tacoma Youth Chorus, will be strategies. A lot of us just don’t know bringing her expertise and sharing it with our students. they have “new” names, especially some of us older It will be a tremendous experience for our young teachers. After all, music is the universal language, musicians. Please encourage your students to audition! right? We can teach anyone, anything, any time and I hope you are rested from your summer and have make musicians to some degree out of all of them, and rejuvenated your energy and spirit for the new school on top of that, our students learn more about the core year. Most of you will be back in the classroom by subject areas through our classes. So figure out how to now. I have a challenge for you all—try at least one fit what you do into what you might be required to new thing in your music teaching methods and habits this year! It is so easy to get into a rut, not just with (Continued on page 25)

24 California ACDA • Fall 2007

REPERTOIRE & STANDARDS

KAREN GARRETT Build Beautiful Tone [email protected] WOMEN’S CHOIRS through Italian Art Songs www.acdacal.org/women.htm

It’s September 10, your music order hasn’t arrived, SSA or SATB choir. It is through and there are 35 new choral students staring at you the unison sound that we can begin waiting to sing: Students who haven’t had private the work of blend and balance. The voice lessons, don’t know what a pure vowel is, don’t choir must first aurally recognize the sense of sing with supported breath, don’t know how to sing a togetherness that only unison can bring before musical line; you know…new! No, it’s not time to branching out to recognizing a balance or blend in part bring out the Disney tunes. It’s time to bring out the singing. Italian art songs! No apologies; just dive in and go for Lastly, the art songs are useful as teaching tools. the gold! You can use them to teach form, as they are almost all There is no better way to begin the year than to ABA. They are also a great introduction to foreign teach a unison Italian art song to your choir. For a languages, IPA, and diphthongs. You can also add to number of years I have either begun or ended the year your curriculum by exploring the difference between with a song from the 24 (or 26) Italian Songs and poetic and literal translations, or delve into the history Arias book. Not only has it been a way to prepare my of the art song and lied. students for the SCVA regional and All-State Honor Convinced of the art songs’ usefulness, but Choir auditions in September/October, but it is a great concerned about how to afford 35 copies of the book way to start their vocal training. for your students? No problem! Check out First and foremost, singing an Italian art song is a www.cpdl.org, and download some of the more great way to build beautiful tone in your choir. Use the popular art songs, like the ubiquitous “Caro Mio Ben” dropped, full space of the pure Italian vowel to find and copy free of charge. Be sure to buy at least two optimal resonance. Use physical motion, good posture, copies for yourself: one in high voice and one in low and deep expanded breathing to prepare long musical so you can play the piano accompaniments (or CDs) in lines. It is no secret to any singer that the art songs are both keys. “singer friendly” and lie well in the voice, especially Now you can begin your year singing unison Italian when you can play them in multiple keys for different art songs and start building a beautiful tone in your voice parts. choir. Your “newbies” will be off to a great start and Also, many conductors overlook the importance of the payoffs will last all year long! ♦ beginning with a solid unison sound, whether in an Using that Creative Energy!

(Continued from page 24) By golly, this is a big deal—an elective teacher being asked to be on this team. I’m going to do it and make show proof of, and take advantage of the training you myself even more indispensable. I hope you will are provided, whether it seems useful or not. You can participate and be a part of the growing your school always find something new to try out if you have a might be doing in trying to keep up with NCLB. good attitude about being a team player. Again, it will only make you a better educator and will keep your creative spirit active and healthy! I have been asked by my principal to be one of a team of four teachers to go through training in Direct I hope you have a joyful year of making beautiful Instruction through an outside company and then go music and will try new things. Remember to have fun into classrooms at our site, the district, and other as you head into those stressful “seasons” of the districts to help teachers be better communicators. I school year. If you have any questions, problems, was shocked to be asked as I am JUST a chorus suggestions for headliners or sessions in our teacher, but I started thinking about it—I might not workshops, or just want to swap dialogue, please email teach what is considered a core subject, but I am good me or call me. I am here to help you. We are “stuck in at teaching music and my students are learning not the middle” and support is important. Your only music, but about all core subjects in my suggestions and ideas are always welcome. classroom. Even better, my principal recognizes that. Here’s to a great year! How can we KEEP from singing? ♦ California ACDA • Fall 2007 25

REPERTOIRE & STANDARDS

BETH KLEMM [email protected] Books on Beth’s Desk CHILDREN’S CHOIR www.acdacal.org/children.htm

As a young girl, my family and I would visit the the Miami Children’s Choir. Her library regularly, and we’d all sit with a book and read passion for picking appropriate in the evening. Now, it seems the only time I read “for literature with the purpose of pleasure” is on vacation or on the airplane. I am happy developing correct singing techniques for children was to say that several “study” books I have read recently right on, and the kids responded beautifully. In her have also given me great pleasure. Let me recommend book, she presents specific lesson plans for teaching some materials that inspired me this past year. vocal technique as well as presentation plans for literature. I felt she gave me tangible tools to help THE PERFECT BLEND children understand they have control of their voice Timothy Seelig – Shawnee Press and they are able to manipulate it. Marie is developing I enjoyed Tim’s style of writing (especially a subscription membership service where you can appreciating his short segments of readable chunks). It access lesson plans for more octavos. I plan to check it was very practical, usable, and entertaining (Learning out. can be fun!). I put several of his rehearsal suggestions and warmups to use right away. One thing that A YOUNG SINGER’S JOURNEY CHANGED my rehearsal planning was his five- Jean Ashworth Bartle, Eileen Baldwin, and Linda Beaupre – Hinshaw minute schedule. He broke his rehearsal into five- minute slots and planned what would happen in each. Lastly, a great musical literacy series has just been Believe it or not, I didn’t feel regimented or published by Hinshaw (Volumes I and II are available, overwhelmed, but instead, more efficient. During with volumes III and IV in manuscript form). A Young rehearsal, as I glanced at my five-minute plan, if I Singer’s Journey was presented by Jean Ashworth found myself getting late, I felt free to push ahead to Bartle at the Miami convention. Having searched for the next thing on my agenda. Rather than feeling like I years to find a musicianship book that fits the needs of ran out of time ONCE AGAIN, I found I completed my choirs, and having tried several semi-successfully, I what I had set out to do. I plan to purchase his sequel can say I am purchasing this for my kids this fall. I book, The Perfect Rehearsal. spent several hours talking with the other two authors, Eileen Baldwin and Linda Beaupre. They were most CREATING ARTISTRY THROUGH MOVEMENT gracious to share how they have piloted this series, IN THE CHORAL REHEARSAL along with Jean Bartle, with ALL of their choirs. Henry Leck – Hal Leonard Finally, a resource that teaches concepts through OK, this isn’t a book...but I sure wish there was one singing and the keyboard, and a CD so the kids have to accompany this splendid DVD. This summer, many guidance and can practice/study at home! I “piloted” a of us have had the privilege to work with Henry at the couple of the pages with my school choir to see their Summer Conference at ECCO and have been inspired response. I couldn’t believe how EASY it was to by his presentation about Dalcoze Eurythmics. Having connect with my kids. They were “playing” their pianos attended one of his workshops about two years ago, I while singing the chromatic scale right before my eyes. have been regularly reviewing this DVD and my They were asking questions. They were saying, notes. If you didn’t get to attend the conference, get “Oh!...is that why?” (That was from my smart 8th grade this! I am including in my rehearsals many of the beat, piano player who loves to challenge me.) Highly rhythm, and phrasing activities I first was trained to recommended for any age choir. Call me and I can fill use in my primary general music classes...stepping the you in on more details I learned from the three B’s. ♦ beat, clapping the rhythm, turning on the phrase, stepping the macro beat while clapping the rhythm, P.S. Are you interested in a Children’s Choir etc. Incorporating these activities will keep your kids Festival in San Luis Obispo? I am seriously involved, and their singing will be much more alive. contemplating Festival No. 2 at the end of April 2008. Plus, you’ll have fun! Eight choirs gathered this past spring with Granville INNOCENT SOUNDS Oldham and Inga Swearingen, and we had a grand Marie Stultz – Morningstar Publications time. If you are interested in attending next year, Perhaps some of you were able to attend the session contact me at [email protected] (Central at the national convention where Marie worked with Coast Children’s Choir). — Beth

26 California ACDA • Fall 2007

EXECUTIVE BOARD President REGIONAL Ken Abrams REPRESENTATIVES 41 Picardy Court Walnut Creek CA 94597 Bay Area 925-939-7562 home Daniel Hughes 925-552-3041 office 6023 Joaquin Murieta Ave Apt A [email protected] Newark CA 94560 [email protected] 415-596-6594 REPERTOIRE & STANDARDS CHAIRS [email protected] President-Elect Boys’ Choirs Middle School & Central Travis Rogers OPEN Junior High School Choirs Heather Bishop 112 Moss Lane Linda Lovaas 10283 North Sterling Lane Napa CA 94558 707 South Emerald Avenue Fresno CA 93720 707-256-3488 home Modesto CA 95351 559-434-6136 home 707-253-3705 office 209-522-6115 559-327-2042 office [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Children’s Choirs Music in Worship Central Coast Vice President Beth Klemm Doug Albertson Jo Anne Stoddard Julie Dana 1008 Acorn Drive 2380 Murdock Drive 2295 Alice Place 610 East Pine Avenue Arroyo Grande CA 93420 Santa Rosa CA 95404 Paso Robles CA 93446 Fresno CA 93728 805-481-1189 home 707-544-3002 home 805-237-8042 home 559-233-3887 805-460-2500 office 707-545-3863 office 805-434-5845 office 559-442-4600 x8465 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] College & University Choirs Show Choirs Executive Secretary Anna Hamre Tony Atienza Far South California ACDA Office 34279 Old Mill Road 1748 Bristol Court William Hatcher Jan Lanterman Auberry CA 93602 Bonita CA 91902 3095 Colley Lane 2348 Clay Street 559-855-8747 home 619-788-7167 Escondido CA 92025 Napa CA 94559 559-278-2539 office [email protected] 760-747-1471 707-255-4662 home [email protected] 707-255-8012 office [email protected] Senior High School Choirs Community Choirs Tammi Alderman [email protected] Northern Elena Sharkova 2630 Huntington Drive Unit F Suzie Peterson 845 Calero Avenue Duarte CA 91010 513 Walnut Court San Jose CA 95123 970-988-5193 home Fairfield CA 94534 408-363-1992 home 818-249-5871 x3105 office 707-864-1916 408-230-2232 office [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Two-Year College Choirs esharkova@ Jeff Seaward Southern symphonysiliconvalley.org 20800 Avenue 352 John Tebay Ethnic & Multicultural Choirs Woodlake CA 93286 EVENTS CHAIRS 543 Loyola Drive OPEN 559-564-6149 home Placentia CA 92870 559-730-3871 CMEA Liaison 714-996-9991 home [email protected] Mary Purdy 714-992-7303 office

23705 Sarda Road [email protected] Women’s Choirs

Valencia CA 91355 Karen Garrett

661-254-3410 home 4130 Strandberg Street 661-252-6110 x445 office Jazz Choirs Corona CA 92881 [email protected] John Hamilton 951-272-3432 home 825 North Alfred Street Apt 2 951-739-5600 x2109 office Honor Choir Chair COMMUNICATIONS Los Angeles CA 90069 [email protected] Shirley Nute 323-445-7183 home [email protected] 937 Cornell Drive Newsletter Editor (Cantate) 310-836-1602 office Burbank CA 91504 Douglas Lynn Youth & Student Activities [email protected] 818-845-2683 1450 South Melrose Drive Dr. Jonathan Talberg [email protected] Oceanside CA 92056 Men’s Choirs CSULB - Music Lori Marie Rios 1250 Bellflower Blvd Summer Conference Chair 760-758-4100 x140 Jo Anne Stoddard [email protected] 2850 Montrose Avenue #22 Long Beach CA 90840 2295 Alice Place La Crescenta CA 91214 562-985-5112 Website Coordinator 818-248-2803 home [email protected] Paso Robles CA 93446 Mark Alberstein 818-952-4205 office 805-237-8042 home 332 East Ashland Avenue [email protected] 805-434-5845 office Visalia CA 93277 [email protected] 559-623-1149 [email protected] [email protected]

California ACDA • Fall 2007 27

PRSRT STD AUTO US Postage Paid California Chapter Riverside, CA American Choral Directors Association Permit 1645 c/o Douglas Lynn, Editor 1450 South Melrose Drive Oceanside, CA 92056