North Central Division Pres- Tic Director of the (2007–2008)

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Schola Cantorum de Mexico Cantus Cantus into Minnesota schools several times a year at no charge for mentoring with a culminating public concert in the spring. Cantus has released ﬁ fteen albums on its own self-titled label, each to considerable acclaim.

Schola Cantorum de Mexico was founded in 1980 by conductor Alfredo Acclaimed as “the premier men’s South Korea's Mendoza. Since 1993, the choir has vocal ensemble in the United States” Ulsan Metropolitan Choir been established as one of the perform- (Fanfare), Cantus is known for its trade- ing groups representing this university, mark warmth and blend and its engaging whose purpose is the dissemination of performances of music ranging from the Ulsan Metropolitan Choir provides choral music written for treble voices Renaissance to the twenty-fi rst century. the 1.2 million citizens of Ulsan with and the training of young singers to Cantus performs more than seventy a wonderful cultural experience. The interpret works of different styles and concerts each year both in national and choirs performances enable the citizens periods. international touring, as well as in its to enjoy culture and arts and include The choir has performed at gather- home of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. four or more regular concerts every ings and festivals for children and youth As one of the nation’s few full-time year, special outdoor events, and invited groups in Mexico, United States, Canada, men’s ensembles, Cantus has grown in and visiting concerts. Ulsan Metropolitan France, and Cuba, as well as in sym- prominence with its distinctive approach Choir audiences enjoy performances phonic and choral concerts with all the to creating music. Working without a in a wide variety of genres that draw major orchestras in Mexico City. conductor, the members of Cantus from traditional literature that ranges in In 2001 the group’s director, Patricia rehearse and perform as chamber musi- style from classic to modern. The choir Morales, received the Mexican Union of cians, each contributing to the entirety aspires in its choral performances to Writers of Music and Drama award. He of the artistic process. become one of the best choirs in Korea! was invited to participate in les couleurs Cantus has a rich history of col- du Monde Amiens (Amiens, the colors laborations with other performing arts Koo Chun majored in vocal music at the of the world). The choir traveled to this organizations. Cantus is the recipient department of church music in Chong- French city to premiere and record Gar- of numerous awards, including Chorus shin University and graduated from the gantua, cantata for narrator, children’s America’s highest honor, the Margaret Graduate School of Education in Han- choir, and orchestra under the direc- Hillis Award for Choral Excellence yang University. He studied choral con- tion of Mario Lavista Catalan Edmon (2009), as well as Chorus America’s ducting at Gwangju University in Korea. Colomer. He represented Mexico in Education Outreach Award (2011). He has served as asistant conductor the Songbridge project, which brought Cantus was also the 2010-2011 artist with the chorus activity in the National together leading choirs and compos- in residence on Minnesota Public Radio Chorus of Korea for twenty years and ers from different latitudes during the and American Public Media’s Perfor- guest conductor in Gwangju City Choir American International Choral Festival mance Today. (1998, 2007), Mokpo City Choir (2005), Cantat IV, held in Mexico City in 2004. Integral to the Cantus mission is its Jeju City Choir (2008), Wonju City One of the most recent activities of commitment to preserve and deepen Choir (2008), National Chorus of Korea the group in Mexico was the premiere music education in the schools. Cantus (2011), and Busan Metropolitan Chorus of Le Paradis des chats (Paradise for works with more than fi ve thousand (2013). As the conductor of National cats), a musical production for narrator, students each year in masterclass and Female Federation Chorus, he toured soloists, children’s choir, and orchestra workshop settings across the country. overseas in the United States, Canada, by the Bulgarian composer Vladimir Now in its fi fth year, the award-winning Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Fin- Kojoukharov. High School Residency program brings land, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

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Chun elevated the Choir by com- tors Association and while working as a BBrainerdrainerd Blyden-TaylorBlyden-Taylor is the conductor manding high-quality sound. He is professor in Gwangju University. of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale. His pho- already known to Korean chorus as to and bio can be found on page 110. having an excellent ability to unify sound through reﬁ ned teaching methods on the vocalization. Presently he is music Nathaniel Dett Chorale director and conductor of Ulsan Met- ropolitan city. The Nathaniel Dett Chorale will be He held the ofﬁ ce of president of a headliner for this conference. Their the Federation for Korean City Choir photo and bio can be found on page and Korea Federation for Choral Music, 109. and currently leads Korean choirs as the director general of Korea Choral Direc-

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country will be in Des Moines to lead us Music Teacher’s Association. In addition, A Community through their newest creation…songs his choirs have performed throughout of our grandparents and great-grand- the United States and in over thirty That Sings III parents now available to our teachers countries around the word. America’s rich song treasury is be- and conductors. Meidl is past president of the Wis- coming a national secret. Do children consin Choral Directors Association sing with their parents anymore? Have Kevin Meidl is con- and the North Central ACDA. He was decades of educational budget cuts and ductor and music selected as secondary teacher of the arena rock concerts taken singing away department chair at year (1995–1996) for the Appleton from parents and their children? Appleton West High Area School District and the Helble Following the vision of former Wis- School. He is artis- Outstanding Teacher at Appleton West consin and North Central Division Pres- tic director of the (2007–2008). ident, Kevin Meidl, NCACDA has found Appleton Boychoir, a way to make singing an indispensible a treble voice choral program now in part of the American experience with its thirty-ﬁ fth season. He is founder and A Community that Sings: Volume Three! It principal conductor with the Badger Vocal Jazz Experience provides excellent, royalty-free arrange- State Girl Choir and past director of the ments for our members and helps to Fox Valley Symphony Chorus. Day bring song back to our communities. His choirs have performed extensive- Compiled by Kevin Meidl, the third ly for regional and state conferences of The Vocal Jazz Experience Day will in a series of songbooks created for ACDA, NAfME, the American Guild of be an opportunity for all attendees members of North Central ACDA will Organists, the Association of Wisconsin of the conference to see vocal jazz be premiered at the conference. Our Area Kodály Educators, Intercollegiate groups from each of the six states in great team of arrangers from across the Men’s Choruses, Inc., and the Wisconsin the North Central Division as selected

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by each state’s leadership and learn Marcy’s twenty-ﬁ fth year at ECC. He Timothy Buchholz is a valuable information on beginning or recently received the 2013 ECC “Excel- nationally recognized enhancing a vocal jazz ensemble. Each lence in Education Award” for outstand- jazz singer, educator, group will perform and be critiqued ing teaching. Marcy is published through and arranger. As a by renowned composer, educator, and UNC Jazz Press, Walton, and Sound singer, Buchholz has performer Kirk Marcy. They will also be Music Publications. Additionally, he sings performed at Carn- given further instruction by one of our with Just 4 Kicks and Male Ensemble egie Hall, New York festival college directors in Turner Hall Northwest. City’s Lincoln Center, and has toured Jazz Center immediately after their main internationally. He has performed with stage performance. Patrice Madura many notable artists, including Bobby Built into the festival are two break- Ward-Steinman is McFerrin, Steve Miller, Bruce Horn- out sessions for each group and all professor of music sby, Patty Austin, Jon Secada, and Dave attendees to the conference to further and graduate coor- Grusin. Buchholz’s vocal jazz arrange- enhance their vocal jazz skills. “Un- dinator in the music ments have been performed throughout raveling the Mystery of Scat-Singing” education depart- the country by college and high school presented by the ACDA National Vo- ment of the Indiana jazz vocal groups, and have been used cal Jazz Repertoire & Standards chair, University (IU) Jacobs School of Music. for numerous all-state vocal jazz en- Patrice Madura from Indiana University, Madura teaches choral, vocal jazz, and sembles. Residing in Wausau, Wisconsin, and “Blend, Balance and Swing in the research methods. She is the author, Buchholz is an assistant professor of Vocal Jazz Ensemble” presented by coauthor, or editor of six books: Getting music at the University of Wisconsin nationally recognized jazz singer, educa- Started with Vocal Improvisation (MENC, Marathon County, where he directs tor, and arranger Tim Buchholz from 1999), Becoming a Choral Music Teacher the concert choir and three vocal jazz the University of Wisconsin Marathon (Routledge, 2010), Music Education in ensembles and teaches classes in music County. His demonstration group will be Your Hands: an Introduction for Future theory, aural skills, and vocal techniques. “QuinteCentral” an adult jazz ensemble Teachers (with Michael Mark, Routledge, He has previously directed ensembles from Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. 2010), Madura’s Danceland: Images of and taught classes at the University of They will present four sessions each, America (Arcadia, 2010), Advances in Miami Frost School of Music, Miami and the day will conclude with all high Social-Psychology and Music Education Dade College, and California State Uni- school groups performing again in the Research, ed. (Ashgate, 2011), and Con- versity at Long Beach. He holds a DMA Parade of Choirs. temporary Music Education, 4th edition in jazz vocal performance from the Uni- (with Michael Mark, Cengage, 2012). versity of Miami, an MM from California Kirk Marcy is a grad- She has had many articles published State University at Long Beach, and a BM uate of the Univer- and is currently serving on the editorial in jazz studies from Western Michigan sity of Northern board of the Journal of Research in Music University. He is currently the Wisconsin Colorado. In 1987 Education and as the ACDA National ACDA Repertoire & Standards chair for he joined the Four Repertoire & Standards chair for vocal vocal jazz. Freshmen, perform- jazz. Madura has taught at IU, the Uni- ing with the Count versity of Southern California, the Ober- Basie, Glenn Miller, and the Tommy lin Conservatory of Music, and choral Dorsey Orchestras. In 1988, Marcy and general music to school children in PERFORMING GROUPS returned to the Paciﬁ c Northwest to grades K–12. Her primary instrument become the director of Soundsation, is the piano. She has been a vocal jazz Aberdeen Central High School the internationally acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble director and improvisation Aberdeen Central Vocal Jazz ensemble at Edmonds Community researcher for more than twenty years Aberdeen, South Dakota College (ECC). Soundsation is the only and has conducted and/or presented Mary Beth Kelly and Ron Parker choral group to sing with the Count research on four continents. Basie Orchestra. The year 2013 marked

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Alta-Aurelia High School Northern State University may be used to educate and, ultimately, Audacity NSU-VJE understand and communicate a diverse Alta, Iowa Aberdeen, South Dakota repertoire. Luke Miller Wendy van Gent An interfaith choir of volunteer singers from the Des Moines area churches Apple Valley High School Port Washington High School is being created as the demonstration AVHS Singers Limited Edition choir for this event. Tony Leach (profes- Apple Valley, Minnesota Port Washington, Wisconsin sor of music/music education, Pennsylva- Bill Blatzheim Dennis Gephart nia State University) will lead a lecture and demonstration of many styles of Bellevue East High School Sparta High School choral music in practice today. The E St. Jazz Sparta Vocal Jazz & SHE choir will demonstrate traditional classic Bellevue, Nebraska Sparta, Wisconsin choruses, hymn settings, contemporary/ Marjorie A. Simons-Bester Janette K. Hanson traditional Black gospel, concert and congregational spirituals, and contempo- Brookings High School University of Mary rary Christian and Praise and Worship. Smooth Spectrum University of Mary Vocal Jazz Brookings, South Dakota Bismark, North Dakota AAnthonynthony TT.. LeachLeach is involved in this event. Denise Perry Tom Porter His photo and bio can be found on page 15. Buffalo High School University of Minnesota-Duluth BHS Singers Lake Effect Jerry Rubino is a Buffalo, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota conductor/teacher/ Michael Walsh Tina Thielen-Gaffey pianist/coach/singer regarded for his di- Columbus High School Valley High School verse musical in- New World Singers Vocalese terests, engaging Columbus, Nebraska West Des Moines, Iowa artistry, and pas- Fred Ritter Haley Gibbons sionate enthusiasm for performing arts. Rubino founded and directs Voices 360, Doane College a vocal and instrumental ensemble that Jazz Unlimited prioritizes the collaborative process of Crete, Nebraska the singer/actor and dancer to present Kara Leigh Baxter Choral Diversity in multi disciplined performances of rep- Worship Music ertoire, including early music, classical Greene County High School music, gospel, pop, and jazz. Jazzatonics The Music in Worship team is creat- He attended Curtis Institute as a Jefferson, Iowa ing a unique event designed to honor cellist and holds degrees in piano, music David Heupel the conference’s mission to Celebrate education, and conducting from Temple Choral Diversity! Just as music in wor- University and the University of Min- ship has evolved to honor the core nesota. Milwaukee High School of the Arts values of church services, and musical Rubino worked for twenty-three sea- MHSA Vocal Jazz Ensemble tastes have embraced a widening vari- sons with the Dale Warland Singers as Milwaukee, Wisconsin ety of styles, ACDA acknowledges this associate conductor, director of special Raymond Roberts expanding set of music worship choices. projects and music education, pianist, Our event will demonstrate some his- singer, and arranger. torical and developmental perspectives, In 2007 he was appointed assistant as well as performance practice that conductor of the St. Paul Chamber

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Orchestra Chorale. In 2011 he was cian, theatrical music director, pianist, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. appointed artistic director of Voices of adjudicator. Roberts has received recognition Experience, a new choral outreach of from the Wisconsin Choral Directors the Minnesota Chorale and MacPhail Raymond Roberts is the music de- Association as an Outstanding Young School of Music for seniors 55+ with partment chair and director of vocal Conductor. He also received the Distin- the mission to foster lifelong learning music at the Milwaukee High School guished Teacher Award from the United and community. of the Arts. Roberts holds a BM from States Department of Education. He Rubino is in his twenty-ﬁ fth year Northwestern University and an MS in was featured in a 2008 cover story in as minister of music at Spirit of Hope educational leadership from Cardinal Choral Director magazine and received United Methodist Church in Golden Val- Stritch University. the Civic Music Association Excellence ley, Minnesota, and serves as Repertoire He is also active in the Milwaukee in Choral Music Award in 2009. & Standards chair for music in worship music community, having performed as for North Central ACDA. tenor soloist with the Milwaukee Sym- He is an editor for the Voices of phony Orchestra, Bel Canto Chorus, and Distinction series with Hal Leonard in the Skylight Opera Theater. 2005, serves as a frequent workshop Roberts’s students have been rec- presenter, and has edited two Christmas ognized nationally and his choirs from choral volumes for Oxford University Milwaukee High School of the Arts have Press. He is a member of ASCAP and performed at numerous state and re- is requested nationally as a choral clini- gional music conferences as well as with

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Eastview High School Vocalessence Ensemble Singers and School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. In has been featured at the Dorian Vocal addition to conducting ﬁ ve choirs and Concert Choir Festival and Dorian Choral Invitational teaching voice lessons, Douma directs at Luther College. The choir performed Bravo!, Eastview’s annual musical revue. at the 2001, 2006, and 2009 mid-winter Outside of school, Douma is active as clinic of the Minnesota MEA, and at the cofounder and artistic director of the 2010 of Minnesota ACDA Fall Confer- Allegro Choral Academy, a non-proﬁ t ence. The Concert Choir performed organization serving children ages 7–14. the Brock Memorial Commission at the Douma has served as ACDA Repertoire 2010 North Central ACDA Conference & Standards chair for male choirs at in Minneapolis. the state and division levels. In 2005, he was recognized by Minnesota ACDA as Comprised of students in grades Greg Douma is in Outstanding Young Choral Director of 11–12, the Eastview Concert Choir is his sixteenth year the Year. He received his BA from Luther one of six curricular choirs in a pro- as a music educator, College and his MA from the University gram featuring nearly four hundred the last twelve of of Iowa. singers in grades 9–12. The choir has which having been collaborated with Chanticleer and the at Eastview High

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Grand Forks Master Chorale have reached state, regional, and national Gregory J. Aune is audiences. in his nineteenth Joshua received his bachelor’s degree year as conductor of from Florida State University, his master’s the Gustavus Choir degree from Oregon State University, and holds the John and completed his PhD in choral music and Anita Thompsen education and choral conducting at Young Distinguished Florida State University. Endowed Chair in Music at Gustavus The Grand Forks Master Chorale Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. is an auditioned, regional chamber In addition to directing the college’s choir from the upper Red River Valley choral program he teaches choral con- in North Dakota. The Master Chorale The Gustavus Choir ducting and serves as music director of provides opportunities for singers with the annual Christmas program. Choirs strong musical backgrounds and a com- under Aune’s direction have frequently mitment to the art of choral singing to appeared at state, regional, and national perform great choral music and pres- venues, including past appearances at ent high-quality public programs. For North Central ACDA Division Con- thirty-one years, its mission has been to ferences. Under his leadership, the expand the role of choral music in the Gustavus Choir has toured extensively cultural life of the region, to engage com- in the United States and internationally munity members, music professionals, in South Africa, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. and students through music education A 1976 graduate of Concordia College, and mentoring, and to enrich the lives Now in its eighty-second year, the in Moorhead, Minnesota, Aune earned of area residents through performance. Gustavus Choir is the premiere touring an MA and DMA in choral conducting choral ensemble and one of fi ve choirs from the University of Iowa. Joshua Bronfman is in a highly integrated and active choral the artistic director program at Gustavus Adolphus College. of the Grand Forks Many of the singers in the Gustavus Master Chorale. In Choir hold Jussi Björling Music Schol- Heartland Youth Choir addition to his work arships, which enables them to study Cantemus with the Chorale, he voice with one of six applied voice is director of choral teachers in the department of music activities at the University of North and receive signifi cant fi nancial support Dakota (UND), where he directs the for their education. In recent years the UND Concert Choir and Varsity Bards, Gustavus Choir has premiered newly and teaches graduate and undergradu- commissioned choral compositions by ate courses in choral conducting and Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus, Jaakko choral literature. Mäntyjärvi, Imant Raminsch, Kenneth In 2005, Joshua was selected as a Jennings, David Cherwein, and Robert Conducting Fellow for the Eric Ericson Buckley Farlee. The students who sing Masterclass in the Netherlands, where in the Gustavus Choir are enthusiastic Heartland Youth Choir is a civic or- he directed the Netherlands Chamber ambassadors of a liberal arts educa- ganization that provides a performance- Choir and Netherlands Radio Choir. He tion philosophy in that they represent based program for youth, emphasizing is an active clinician in the region, direct- a broad spectrum of academic, service, musical literacy and character developing honor choir festivals at the middle, and intellectual interests while sharing a ment. Quality literature from all styles high school, and collegiate levels. His common passion for and commitment and periods form the foundation for published articles and presentations on to excellence in choral performance. musical learning. Over two hundred choral music and choral music education

138 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 Iowa • Minnesota • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wisconsin March 20 - 22, 2014 • Des Moines, Iowa

singers from public, private, and home- Sletto completed her MME with a Ryan Person is di- school settings participate in Heartland Kodály emphasis from the University of rector of choral ac- Youth Choir’s seven ensembles. St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is tivities at Iowa City Cantemus is an intermediate-level also trained in Orff and Dalcroze meth- West High School. choir for grades 6–8. Past highlights for odology. She is a frequent clinician for Over the past de- the choir include: an East Coast Tour music educators throughout the United cade, Person’s choirs with a performance at Carnegie Hall; States and has taught Kodály certifi ca- have been recog- twice to the Pacifi c Rim festival in Hono- tion courses at Mississippi College and nized for their excellence and strong lulu, Hawaii; and participation in choral Drake University. commitment to choral music. The Iowa festivals in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Sletto has fulfi lled twelve commis- City West Choral Music Department Ohio, and Oregon. sioned works for treble choirs, includ- has 320 students who participate in fi ve The choir is called upon frequently ing commissions for Iowa and Indiana curricular choirs, two cocurricular show to perform for fi ne arts events, confer- all-state choirs. Her compositions are choirs, and a jazz choir. ences, and conventions in the Midwest. published with Colla Voce Publishing Person is an active member of the They have performed with the Des and Alliance Publishing Company. She Iowa Choral Directors Association. He Moines Symphony, the Des Moines Met- has served on the board of directors for has chaired the Men’s Repertoire & ro Opera, and the Des Moines Choral numerous music organizations. Standards, Fall Symposium, and district Society. They were invited to perform honor choirs. Person is also a frequent at the 2012 National OAKE Conference, guest director, clinician, and adjudicator the 2012 Regional AGO Conference, at choral festivals around the Midwest. and the 2014 ACDA Children’s Choir Iowa City West Singers Person received an MM in choral Retreat in Minnesota conducting from Michigan State Univer- sity and completed his BME at Luther Barbara Sletto is College. the founder and artistic director of the Heartland Youth Kennedy High School Choir, a civic organization that serves Select Women's Choir over two hundred Central Iowa singers. Prior to her work with the Heartland Youth Choir, Sletto Iowa City West Singers is the premier was the artistic director of the Iowa choral ensemble at Iowa City West High Youth Chorus, the Des Moines Chil- School in Iowa City, Iowa. The forty-fi ve- dren’s Choruses, the Anderson Area member choir performed at the 2006 Children’s Choir of Anderson, Indiana, North Central ACDA Divison Con- and the Lakes Treble Choir of Minnesota. ference and a host of regional choral In addition, Sletto served as the director festivals over the past decade. The choir the Drake University Chorale for eight also performs and collaborates each The Kennedy Select Women’s Choir years. year with some of the fi nest collegiate is a forty-voice ensemble composed As a specialist in treble voices, Sletto choirs from around the Midwest. The of the women in the Kennedy High frequently serves as a guest conductor members of Iowa City West Singers School Concert Choir. This ensemble is for high school and elementary festival are also actively involved in a number auditioned each spring and meets every choirs and honor choirs. She has guest of other award-winning programs at other day during the school year. conducted for numerous all-state choirs the school. throughout the United States and vari- The choir performs at concerts ous summer choir camps. throughout the year and at the Iowa

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Large Group Contest each spring, Women’s Choir, is a select ensemble where they consistently receive Division comprised of mostly freshmen and I ratings. The Choir is honored to be ap- sophomore women whose fi elds of pearing on their fi rst ACDA conference study represent not only music but the program. broad diversity in a liberal arts education. Founded in the fall of 2000, the choir Storm Ziegler is the performs a wide range of literature that director of choral includes traditional women’s literature, activities and chair- world, folk, and contemporary works, man of the perform- and is proud to perform and record ing arts department new compositions by established and of study represent the broad diversity in at Kennedy High emerging composers from around the a liberal arts education. Concert Choir School in Cedar world. In addition to its own repertoire, is dedicated to performing both tradi- Rapids, Iowa, where he has served on Cantala annually joins forces with all LU tional and contemporary repertoire, the music faculty since 1996. He directs choirs and orchestra in performances of sacred and seculartexts, and western a program of nine curricular choral choral-orchestral masterworks. and global vocal techniques, all to the ensembles, including traditional, jazz, highest standards. In addition to its own and show choirs. During his tenure, Phillip A. Swan is repertoire, the Choir annually joins the music department at Kennedy was codirector of choral forces with all LU choirs and orchestra awarded the Grammy Signature School studies at Lawrence in performances of choral-orchestral Award for being one of the top-fi fty high University and musi- masterworks. school music programs in America. cal director for LU Storm received degrees in vocal Musicals. Swan co- Stephen Sieck is co- performance and music education directs Cantala and director of choral from Cornell College. He also earned a Concert Choir, conducts Hybrid En- studies at Lawrence master’s in accounting and fi nancial man- semble, and teaches courses in conduct- University’s Con- agement and is in demand as a fi nancial ing, musical theater, and music education. servatory of Music, consultant to high school music and He is active in the Appleton community, where he codirects college music education programs. He serving as artistic director and conduc- Cantala (LU Wom- recently completed a term as treasurer tor for newVoices, and is choir director en’s Choir) and Concert Choir, conducts of North Central ACDA. at Appleton Alliance Church. Swan the one hundred-voice Viking Chorale, received his BME from Concordia Col- and teaches courses in conducting, Eng- lege in Moorhead, Minnesota, his MM lish diction, and freshman studies. Sieck Lawrence University in choral conducting from UT El Paso, also is director of music at First Presby- and has completed all coursework for terian Church of Neenah, Wisconsin. He Cantala his DMA in choral conducting at the received his BM from the University of University of Miami (Florida). Chicago and his MM and DMA in choral conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sieck currently serves as treasurer for Wisconsin ACDA. Lawrence University His current research focuses on diction Concert Choir pedagogy in rehearsal, which includes The Lawrence University (LU) an article in the October 2013 Choral Concert Choir is a select mixed-voice Journal and presentations at WMEA and ensemble comprised primarily of juniors North Central ACDA for 2013–2014. and seniors in the Conservatory but also inclusive of students whose fi elds Cantala, Lawrence University’s (LU)

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Luther College Nordic Choir Conference, and made numerous per- Baylor University, the Eastman School of formances at Texas MEA conferences. Music, and UCLA. He was the winner in Allen holds degrees from SHSU, the graduate division of the 1997 ACDA

Nordic Choir, founded in 1946, en- CHORAL COMPOSERS’ WORKSHOP joys national and international acclaim featuring as a premier collegiate choral ensemble. Following the ﬁ fty-seven-year tenure of Weston Noble, Nordic is currently CRAIG COURTNEY under the direction of Allen Hightower. Nordic Choir has toured extensively throughout the United States and in- DAN FORREST & ternationally. The Choir has performed at ACDA National Conferences in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, HOWARD HELVEY and most recently at the 2009 ACDA National Conference in Oklahoma City. June 9-12, 2014 Allen Hightower is Annandale United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. professor of music at Luther College in • Master classes • Open discussions • Review of student works Decorah, Iowa. He • Lecture-presentations • Q/A sessions • Much more is conductor of the Nordic Choir and Focused on developing compositional excellence and publishing success in church serves as director of choral music. Limited to 8-12 students for maximum student/instructor interaction. choral activities, overseeing four choral conductors, six choirs, and ﬁ ve hundred singers. For more details and an application, please Prior to Luther, Hightower was pro- visit beckenhorstpress.com/workshop fessor of music and director of choral activities at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville, Texas. During his tenure, the SHSU Chorale performed at the 2007 ACDA National Conference, the 2010 Southwest ACDA Division

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Conducting Competition. Allen has been since 2007. An active member of ACDA student music awards. That same year, mentored by choral conductors Bev Minnesota, he was named Outstanding Lake Effect was selected to perform at Henson, Donald Neuen, Paul Salamunov- Young Choral Director by the organiza- the Minnesota ACDA State Convention ich, Joe Flummerfelt, and Weston Noble. tion in 2008; edited its statewide journal, and the Minnesota MEA Conference. Star of the North, from 2008–2011; and They also performed at the 2008 North served as Repertoire & Standards chair Central ACDA Division Conference for men’s choirs for the state from in Fargo, North Dakota. Fall 2009 saw 2011–2013. His conducting mentors Lake Effect singing at the Minneapolis Princeton High School include Weston Noble, Timothy Peter, Orchestra Hall for the University of MN Concert Choir Lee Nelson, and Matthew Ferrell. Duluth Sounds of the Season Extrava- ganza. In spring 2009, Lake Effect placed runner-up in the semi-fi nal round in the Championship of Collegiate A cap- University of Minnesota-Duluth pella. Lake Effect has also won consecu- Lake Eff ect tive Outstanding Vocal Jazz Ensemble Awards at the Gold Company Vocal The Princeton High School Concert Jazz Invitational and Southwestern Com- Choir is making its fi rst appearance at munity College Vocal Jazz Invitational. an North Central ACDA Division Con- In 2010, Lake Effect released their fi rst ference. Under its current instructor, CD, Lake Effect Live! and represented Concert Choir was invited to perform American vocal jazz at the twenty-ninth for the 2005 and 2013 Minnesota MEA World Conference of the International Conferences, the 2007 and 2013 Min- Society of Music Education in Beijing. nesota ACDA Conferences, and the 2007 and 2012 Minnesota ACDA Choral Tina Thielen-Gaff ey is Arts Finale. Located fi fty miles north of the assistant director Lake Effect is one of two vocal jazz Minneapolis, Princeton is a community of choral activities ensembles at the University of Minne- of 4,500 residents with a signifi cant rural at the University of sota-Duluth (UMD), where there are population drawing 1,100 students to Minnesota-Duluth, twelve thousand students enrolled in the high school. Music is the fl agship where she conducts the University’s undergraduate, gradu- program of the school district with nearly Concert Chorale, ate, and professional schools. The UMD half of the high school student body as two vocal jazz ensembles (Lake Effect music department consists of 185 music participants. and Chill Factor), teaches elementary majors and over 500 enrolled in per- music, ethnic and folk music of the world, forming ensembles. Mark Potvin is in his applied voice and graduate courses in Lake Effect is an auditioned vocal jazz thirteenth year as voice, conducting, and vocal jazz semi- ensemble comprised of sixteen singers vocal music instruc- nars. A mezzo-soprano, she completed representing a variety of majors/minors tor at Princeton High her DMA in choral conducting at the and is accompanied by a four-piece School. He holds University of Iowa, MM in choral con- rhythm section and four horns. Lake degrees from Luther ducting at Western Michigan University Effect maintains an active performing College in Decorah, (WMU) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and schedule, including campus concerts, Iowa and St. Cloud State University BME at the University of Wisconsin- community functions, vocal jazz festivals, (SCSU) in St. Cloud, Minnesota,where Green Bay. and UMD athletic events. he conducted the SCSU Men’s Chorus Prior to her studies in Michigan, the In spring 2006, Lake Effect was se- from 2009–2011. Potvin has been the Wisconsin native taught for eight years lected as a winner in the collegiate vocal artistic director for the East Central Min- in the public schools of her home state, jazz category of DownBeat magazine’s nesota Chorale in Cambridge, Minnesota, where she was responsible for choral

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ensembles, band ensembles, vocal jazz Gary R. Schwartzhoff , with professional orchestra, and pieces and show choirs, musicals, madrigals professor of music representing folk idioms from around and madrigal feasts, festivals, and touring. at the University the world. The choir’s convention per- Thielen-Gaffey has conducted numer- of Wisconsin-Eau formances include the 2011 ACDA ous choir festivals and is an active clini- Claire, has served National Conference, the 2008 North cian and solo ensemble judge. as director of choral Central ACDA Division Conference, She has also lectured nationally and activities since 1991. the 2009 Minnesota Collegiate Choral internationally in the area of vocal jazz, He conducts the Concert Choir, the Festival, the 2004 Minnesota ACDA American spirituals and gospel music Singing Statesmen, Chamber Choir, and Conference, and the 2001, 2007, and and on David Fanshawe’s composition, teaches conducting and repertoire. 2013 Minnesota MEA Conventions. African Sanctus. As a vocalist, she regu- Schwartzhoff received his DMA at the The choir tours locally, regionally, and larly sings with jazz combos in the Du- University of Missouri-Kansas City, his internationally to places such as Ireland, luth area and with the Twin Ports Choral master’s from the University of North- Greece, Italy, Central Europe, and Spain. Project and is the cantor of Duluth’s ern Iowa, and his undergraduate degree Concordia Lutheran Church. from Central College. Schwartzhoff Angela Broeker is the conductor of this has served on the national board of group. Her photo and bio can be found the ACDA and Intercollegiate Males on page 40. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Choruses, Inc. He serves as the artistic director and conductor of the Master The Singing Statesmen Singers and director of music at First Congregational UCC in Eau Claire. The Wartburg Choir Schwartzhoff has served as artistic director, guest conductor, and clinician for choral residencies and national seminars.

University of St. Thomas Chamber Singers The Singing Statesmen will celebrate their forty-eighth anniversary season in 2013 –2014. The Statesmen is one of six choral ensembles on the UW-Eau The Wartburg Choir has received Claire campus recognized as “Wiscon- critical acclaim for their versatility of sin’s Singing University.” The Statesmen sound and innovative programming. The have performed at eight divisional and Wartburg Choir has received invitations national conventions of ACDA, NAfME, for special appearances in the United and the Intercollegiate Male Choruses, States and abroad, most recently to Inc. In 2014 the ensemble will present participate in the 2011 White House its seventh international tour to Por- Holiday Concert Series and the Na- tugal. The Singing Statesmen represent tional Cathedral’s Bethlehem Prayer diverse academic disciplines with a The University of St. Thomas Cham- Service. The choir has appeared in many common respect and admiration for ber Singers is a select, mixed ensemble prestigious concert halls, including the choral music. The creed that is upheld by of undergraduate students representing Kennedy Center, Avery Fisher Hall of the membership is, “Once a Statesmen, a number of major ﬁ elds. Their per- Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s always a Statesmen!” formance repertoire includes historic Symphony Hall, and Orchestra Hall in and contemporary selections, works Minneapolis. The Wartburg Choir has

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performed at two national and three O. Chellevold Award for Excellence in Cathedral in Washington DC. divisional conventions of ACDA. The Teaching and Service, Nelson conducts Earlier in his career, Nelson was choir was a featured choir in the 2012 the Wartburg Choir and Ritterchor. named Outstanding Young Choral Con- North Central ACDA Division Confer- He also teaches conducting and serves ductor of the Year by Minnesota ACDA. ence spotlight concert, singing Stephen as artistic director of “Christmas with In 2005, Nelson won the ACDA gradu- Paulus’s Holocaust oratorio, To Be Cer- Wartburg,” which was nominated for a ate conducting competition. tain of the Dawn. regional Emmy in 2012. Nelson has directed all-state and Lee Nelson is the honor choirs in several states and was Patricia R. Zahn chair invited to conduct the National Festival in choral conduct- Chorus at Carnegie Hall in 2011, 2012, ing and director of and 2014. choral activities at Under Nelson’s direction, the Wart- Wartburg College burg Choir has performed nationally and in Waverly, Iowa. Re- internationally, including a performance cently honored with the 2012 John at the White House and the National

InterestINortht t SiSSessions Central Division

American Indian Choral Music: body of works. This session will examine conducts the UWW Chamber Singers, Davids’s choral works in the context of Concert Choir, and opera and musical The Works of his blending of classical techniques with theatre productions. Since 2008, Geh- Brent Michael Davids indigenous elements. Practical perfor- renbeck has served as artistic director mance issues such as singing style and of the Madison-based Wisconsin Cham- unusual rhythms will be addressed. The ber Choir, leading in critically acclaimed Most Americans probably know University of Wisconsin–Whitewater performances of choral-orchestral more stereotypes about Native Ameri- Chamber Singers, under the direction of masterworks and innovative programs can music than actual American Indian Robert Gehrenbeck, will bring Davids’s featuring familiar and rarely heard works music. Brent Michael Davids is a highly music to life in a variety of excerpts and by a wide variety of composers span- successful composer of fi lm and concert full compositions. Davids will join in the ning six centuries and fi ve continents. music and one of today’s leading choral performance as a soloist on crystal fl ute, As a singer, Gehrenbeck has appeared composers, with multiple commissions a unique instrument featured in many of with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers, by Chanticleer, the Dale Warland Singers, his choral works. Boston’s Cantata Singers, New York and many other ensembles. An enrolled State Baroque, and the Bloomington citizen of the Mohican Nation, Davids is Robert Gehrenbeck Early Music Festival. He is recognized as one of the few classically trained Ameri- is director of cho- an authority on eighteenth-century per- can Indian composers working today. ral activities at the formance practice, German Romantic His appetite for experimentation and University of Wis- choral music, and contemporary music. his deep intimacy with indigenous mu- consin–Whitewater Gehrenbeck’s doctoral dissertation on sic have created a uniquely compelling (UWW), where he contemporary British composer Giles

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Swayne received the Julius Herford Prize Wagon (recorded on Teldec Classics), And May God Give Us from ACDA in 2007, and his article on and Leatherstocking, a completely vocal Swayne’s Dolorosa appeared in the De- soundtrack designed to accompany the Faith to Sing Always— cember 2012 issue of the Choral Journal. 1909 silent fi lm of the same name, a Purpose beyond Performance He holds degrees from Macalester retelling of James Fenimore Cooper’s College, Boston University, and Indiana novel, Last of the Mohicans. In this session we will explore our University, with additional studies at the vocation as conductors, teachers, per- Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Conserva- formers, and pastoral musicians. While tory in Leipzig, Germany. most trade workshops deal with the Brent Michael Davids how to, this one will deal with the more philosophical realm: why do…. Tom is a renowned com- Trenney will share his personal journey poser of symphonic, from conservatory to concert hall to choral, and fi lm music. congregation—from performer to ser- An enrolled citizen vant musician—inviting us all reconsider of the Mohican Na- The Univeristy of Wisconsin - Whitewater or reaffi rm our unique calling to music tion, Davids was born Chamber Singers consists of thirty-two ministry. This session will take us beyond in Madison, Wisconsin, and grew up of the most talented vocalists on the our job descriptions and performance on the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican University of Wisconsin–Whitewater goals and guide us to nurture our very reservation in north-central Wisconsin, campus. Choir members include music purpose as musicians. In this interactive where he currently resides. His com- majors studying vocal performance, and inspirational session, we will refl ect posing career spans thirty-seven years, music education, and theory/composi- upon the ways music reveals the mean- including awards from ASCAP, NEA, tion, and students majoring in disciplines ing of sacred texts, and we will discover Rockefeller Foundation, In-Vision, Jof- such as business, history, and media arts how purposeful singing may tender us frey Ballet, Chanticleer, Kronos Quartet, and game development. The choir’s to experience the realities and mysteries Meet-The-Composer, Miró Quartet, repertoire embraces everything from of God. By considering that music can National Symphony Orchestra, Bush Renaissance madrigals and motets to unite us in community, we will reaffi rm Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and masterworks of the eighteenth and the purpose of our music ministry: to Jerome Foundation. Davids’s Canyon nineteenth centuries, and includes a inspire our congregation’s singing to Sunrise, commissioned by the National wide variety of contemporary music. In express our faith and to nurture our Symphony Orchestra (NSO), premiered recent years the Chamber Singers have congregation’s faith that we may sing at the Kennedy Center to commemo- premiered new works by Giles Swayne, always. rate the twenty-fi fth anniversary of Wayne Oquin, Christian Ellenwood, and the Kennedy Center and the sixtieth Adam Taylor. The choir’s association with Tom Trenney serves anniversary of the NSO. Garrison Keil- Brent Michael Davids dates from 2012 as minister of music lor asked Davids for an orchestra work, when members of the group performed to First-Plymouth Prayer & Celebration, that premiered on Davids’s demonstration recording of Congregational on “A Prairie Home Companion.” His his new opera, The Purchase of Manhat- Church (United fi rst opera, The Purchase of Manhattan, tan. The choir tours annually in the upper Church of Christ) in premiered in November 2013 in Syra- Midwest and beyond, including a tour Lincoln, Nebraska. cuse, New York, with subsequent per- of Germany and the Czech Republic He leads a vibrant music ministry, con- formances planned for New York City in in 2010. ducting adult and children’s choirs and 2014. Davids’s choral works have been directing the acclaimed Abendmusik at commissioned by the Dale Warland First-Plymouth Concert Series. Trenney Singers and by Grammy Award-winning is also on the choral faculty of Doane Chanticleer, for whom he composed College, where he conducts the Wom- Night Chant, Mohican Soup, Un-Covered en’s Chorale, and he continues as music

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director of sounding light—a chamber ing the wealth of information within the Concordia College, Moorhead, and choir that he founded in southeastern video archive and repertoire suggestions Minnesota State University Moorhead. Michigan. A graduate of the Cleveland from the areas of North, Central, and As a choral teacher and classroom Institute of Music and the Eastman South America. music teacher for fi fteen years in the School of Music, Trenney is grateful for This interest session will include: Minnesota Public School System, Moe the inspiration of his teachers and men- has had experience teaching all grade tors, especially Anton Armstrong, David • Brief descriptions of choral music as levels. She was nominated for Minnesota Davidson, David Higgs, William Weinert, it fl ourishes in North, Central, and Teacher of the Year in 1999 and 2004. Anne Wilson, and Todd Wilson. Trenney South America Moe has served as a section-coach for has shared his passion as pastoral musi- the Minnesota All-State Choir, a judge cian, performer, and teacher at regional • Choral scores from several countries for vocal solo/ensemble contests, ad- and national conventions of AGO, OHS, that are representative of the judicator for North Dakota all-state, a PAM, NAPM, the ALCM, the Fellow- wealth of choral resources (to be member of the planning committee for ship of United Methodists in Music and sung by participants of the session) the 2013 Choral Music of the Americas Worship Arts, and the Calvin Institute of and the 2008 North Central ACDA Worship. His choirs have recently been • Video clips of some of the major pre- Conference. She is the Repertoire & featured on two new CD recordings: senters at the symposium Standards chair for women’s choirs for Hymns from First-Plymouth and Glories North Dakota ACDA and is a member Stream from Heaven Afar; and his fi rst • Discussion of the resources available of ACDA, NAfME, and OAKE. published composition, Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth, will soon be released • A detailed index will be distributed, by Augsburg-Fortress. which provides each presenter’s topics, choral music, and concept’s Bring in the World: location on the archived videos Treat Your Students to BaaKa Yellli, Tuvan Throat Singing, and Other The Best of the Charlette Moe joined Choral Music of the the North Dakota Diverse Choral/Vocal Traditions State University through Online Performances Americas Symposium (NDSU) music faculty in the fall of You are teaching a new world music The Choral Music of the Americas 2008. She serves piece. Choose your preferred introduc- was held on May 3–5, 2013, on the as a coordinator tion. campus of North Dakota State Univer- for the MME, teaches graduate and sity. Choral luminaries from throughout undergraduate courses in music and (A) Teacher describes and explains the North, Central, and South America— choral education, and supervises student genre. including Maria Guinand, Tim Sharp, teachers. Moe is also the conductor of William Belan, Cristian Grases, Brainerd Cantemus, the NDSU women’s choir, (B) A skilled culture bearer visits your Blyden-Taylor, Imant Raminsh, and Hilary and University Chamber Singers. Moe classroom to perform for students. Apfelstadt—presented, conducted, and received a BME from Concordia Col- collaborated with other choral directors, lege, an MME from Minnesota State Now, more than ever, as life online the NDSU choirs, and regional choirs. University Moorhead, and a DM in changes defi nitions of community, our Sessions, which included historical facts, conducting from NDSU. She holds a K–12 students need a solid exposure to performance practice suggestions, con- Kodály Mastery Certifi cate from St. the music and culture of others. Using cert programming, and cultural informa- Thomas and is a faculty member at their familiar environment of YouTube, tion, were videotaped and archived. the Kodály Institute at Minnesota State we can introduce our students to un- During this session, an index and University. Previous to her appointment familiar musics from all over the globe. explanation will be provided on locat- at NDSU, she was adjunct faculty at

146 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 Iowa • Minnesota • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wisconsin March 20 - 22, 2014 • Des Moines, Iowa

Participants will learn how to access presented with repertoire appropriate Music, and Who’s Who in America, and The posted world music collections and gain for recruiting male singers. World. Thomas holds a DMA in conduct- tips on fi nding recordings that will add ing from the University of South Caro- collaborative value to your lessons. As Jonathan Palant will be the clinician for lina, where he studied with Larry Wyatt; we meet to celebrate choral diversity, this session. His photo and bio can be an MM from the University of Louisiana, this technology session will encourage found on page 76. Monroe, studying with the late Edward you to bring music-makers from around Deckard; and a BS in church music/organ the world right into your classroom! from Eastern Nazarene College with Lambert Brandes. Anna Burns has Children and Youth in Worship – spent her whole life A New Paradigm in the North Central ACDA division and Other than the traditional graded Czech Composers Past and Present: is ready to reach choir program, are there other possi- Choral Music from the beyond it. Born bilities for the twenty-fi rst century? The and raised in Wisconsin, she earned basics of making a paradigm shift in how Heartland of Europe her BME at Iowa Wesleyan College. we do music and arts in worship is most to the Heartland of America She taught K–12 music for ten years fascinating. This session will explore the in North Dakota. Teaching assignments possibilities for renewed interest in mu- included high school, middle school, and sic and arts in worship settings for chil- The 2014 North Central ACDA children’s choirs and elementary general dren and youth. Through a philosophical Division Conference focus is “Celebrate music. Now back in Iowa, Burns teaches shift in the traditional understanding of Choral Diversity.” When thinking about K–5 general music with an emphasis on working with children and youth in the the diversity that our region of Iowa singing at Highland Community Schools. worship setting, one can have a success- adds to the diversity of choral music in She is currently working toward an MME ful music/arts program. the North Central division, one must degree at VanderCook College of Music celebrate the rich choral heritage of the in Chicago. Her new passion is research- Thomas R. Vozzella was Czech Republic, Bohemia, and the Slavic ing online video music from around the recently appointed direc- States. European immigrants populated world and collecting fi ne examples for tor of music and organist a large portion of the eastern side of classroom use. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Iowa. Noted Czech composer Antonin Church in Kansas City, Dvorak spent time with Czech nationals Missouri. He is a member in the Spillville area of Iowa in the sum- of the Creator Magazine mer of 1893. The session will provide Brothers, Sing On! editorial board and has served as the the conference delegates a brief history Empower, Attract, and South Dakota Repertoire & Standards of Czech choral music, highlight major chair for community choirs/music in works of these composers, discuss mu- Engage Male Singers worship, dean of the Black Hills Chap- sical and cultural infl uences, and clarify ter of the AGO, and guest blogger on performance and stylistic concerns in this music. Recruiting men to sing in choir has ACDA’s ChoralNet. Choirs under his long been a discussion of importance. direction have appeared on Tennessee Bruce J.G. Kotowich In this session, we will discover, com- and Texas ACDA and Kansas KMEA is an associate pro- pare, and share successful recruiting programs. Vozzella has toured as a con- fessor of music and strategies used by men’s choruses of ductor and organist in twenty-six states, director of choral all types, including proven methods for including Washington DC, and eleven and vocal activities secondary school singers, university glee countries. His compositions appear in at Loras College clubs, gay men’s choruses, collegiate six catalogues and have received four in Dubuque, Iowa, unaccompanied ensembles, and barber- ASCAP Awards. His biography has where he teaches conducting, applied shop choruses. Participants will also be appeared in International Who’s Who in

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voice, history of western sacred music, including music majors and students South Africa. Ferrell maintains an active and directs the Loras College Concert from various other academic disciplines schedule as clinician, adjudicator, and Choir, Chamber Singers, Bella Voce, and on campus. All members of the choir guest conductor for choral festivals and Con Brio. recognize the important role of the conferences in Minnesota and nationally. Kotowich completed his MM and arts in their personal and professional Ferrell has been awarded conduct- DMA in choral conducting at the development. ing fellowships at prominent summer College-Conservatory of Music. He As the major performing ensemble institutions. He serves as Minnesota received his BM in vocal performance in the choral area, the Concert Choir ACDA Repertoire & Standards chair from the Royal Conservatory of Music, represents the University at important and the Minnesota board representative Toronto, and a BM and a BE from the events, produces recordings, and makes for NCCO. University of Manitoba. He is a recipi- annual tours regionally, nationally, and ent of numerous awards and honors, internationally. The Concert Choir has including awards from the Canada Arts established a reputation for excellence Council, Manitoba Arts Council, Univer- in performing and programming, leading The Choral Conductor sity of Cincinnati, and the Archdiocese of to invitations to perform at various state St. Boniface Heritage Award. and regional conferences of NAfME and as Mentor and Pastor Kotowich was a member of core ACDA. planning committee for the tour Pope Every day brings new opportunities John Paul II to Canada. Kotowich is Matthew Ferrell is to mentor and to pastor. Every rehearsal published in the Choral Research Memo- director of cho- brings new opportunities to build randum Series through Chorus America. ral activities at St. esteem and confi dence in our singers. He is an active clinician, adjudicator, and Cloud State Uni- Every personal interaction brings new guest conductor and has taught in the versity (SCSU). He opportunities to feed the spirit of an summer program for the International conducts the SCSU individual. Weston Noble and Allen Music Camp at the International Peace Concert Choir and Hightower of Luther College will share Gardens and is the founding director of Chamber Singers and teaches courses inspirational thoughts regarding the role the Dubuque Archdiocesan Cathedral in conducting and musicianship. He re- of the choral director as a mentor and Chorale. ceived his BME from The Hartt School, pastor to the singers they serve. MM in choral conducting from Temple University, and DMA in choral conduct- Weston Noble is a ing from the University of Miami. highly accomplished Ferrell has worked with vocal and and honored Ameri- instrumental ensembles at every level can music educa- from elementary school through uni- tor and conductor. versity, including professional choirs and Now the Johnson orchestras. As associate conductor of Professor Emeritus the Master Chorale of South Florida, of Music, Noble had a fi fty-seven-year Ferrell assisted in the preparation of tenure as a conductor and teacher at Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the The St. Cloud State University Concert Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He Cleveland Orchestra and conducted Choir is the University’s premiere large has received acclaim from across the the Boca Raton Symphonia in several choral ensemble, committed to the ex- country and the world as the conduc- performances. Prior to his appointment ploration and performance of the fi nest tor of the Luther College Nordic Choir at SCSU, he served as director of choral choral repertoire from the fi fteenth cen- (l948–2005), the Luther College Con- activities at Brooklyn College. tury to the present. One of fi ve choral/ cert Band (l948–l973), and as guest Under Ferrell’s direction, the St. vocal ensembles in the music program, director for over nine hundred all-state Cloud State University Concert Choir the choir is a highly select, auditioned bands, orchestras, choirs, and festivals has performed at multiple conferences group of approximately sixty singers, across four continents. and in 2011 toured internationally to

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Noble is a charter member of ACDA aspirations in the one great universal Dett’s philosophy about bringing the and an elected member of the American language. But this store will be of no sophistication of European musical Bandmasters Association. In l994 the value unless we utilize it, unless we architecture to African American folk treat it in such a manner that it can North Central ACDA established the be presented in choral form, in lyric melodies reached a peak in his oratorio Weston H. Noble Award for Lifetime and operatic works, in concertos The Ordering of Moses. Achievement in the Choral Art. and suites and salon music—unless Noble holds fi ve honorary doctorate our musical architects take the rough Wallace McClain degrees and was awarded the St. Olav’s timber of Negro Themes and fashion Cheatham has Medal from King Harald V of Norway from it music which will prove that for several years for his contributions to Norwegian- we, too, have national feelings and maintained a broad American relations. characteristics, as have the European peoples whose forms we have presence in music In 2009 he conducted the Interna- zealously followed for so long. and scholarship. In tional Schools Festival in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, with participants from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Tai- wan, and Indonesia. He is the resident conductor of the Pacifi c Summer Music Festival of Guam. In 2010 Noble conducted Handel’s Messiah in Seoul, Korea, returning in 2013 to conduct the Korea National Choir. Following his guest year residencies at Carthage College, Wartburg College, and Augustana College (Sioux Falls), Noble is working in the development offi ce at Luther College. Let your music

Allen Hightower will be one of the clini- be heard… cians for this session. His photo and bio can be found on page 141. in Spain! “Our recent choir/dance tour to Spain was a highlight of my teaching career. The performing venues were exquisite, the Diversity within the Philosophy Spanish people were delightful to work with, and the food was of an Afro-Canadian Composer outstanding. I would recommend Spain as a great choral destination to anyone who Ten years after his 1908 graduation is interested in travelling to from Oberlin, Robert Nathaniel Dett Europe for future performing (1882–1943) wrote for an article that educational tours.” was authored by May Stanley titled, “R. – Jeffrey D. Brown, D.M.A. Director of Choirs N. Dett of Hampton Institute” for the Libertyville High School, Spain 2013 July 1918 edition of Musical America . . . Plaza de España, Sevilla Please stop by our booth at the 2014 ACDA Division Conferences. We have this wonderful store of Witte has been arranging exceptional folk music—the melodies of an concert tours through Spain 800 GO WITTE enslaved people, who poured out and the rest of the world since 1975. wittept.com their longings, their griefs and their

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February 2012, Cheatham was heard designing, implementing, and enriching Jennaya Robison is as composer and collaborative artist at music programs for our mature singers, assistant professor the African American Art Song Alliance, including the concept of teaching group of music at Luther University of California-Irvine. His Suite voice technique as part of the ensemble College, where she for Soprano Saxophone and Organ was rehearsal. conducts Aurora, programmed at the July 2012 World Cathedral, teach- Saxophone Congress at the University Sarah Parks, direc- es conducting, and of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scot- tor of music and teaches studio voice. She is in demand land. Cheatham’s writings about opera of head of choral as a conductor, clinician, and soprano as it relates to the African American music education at throughout the United States. In 2009– experience have been published in St. Norbert Col- 2013 she served as artistic director of internationally circulated books and lege, conducts the Scottsdale Musical Arts. She has held learned journals. His choral score, Glory college’s Chamber faculty and teaching positions at the Hallelujah, will be programmed in June Singers and Women’s Chorus, teaches University of Arizona, Luther College, and July by the Rochester Choral Society choral music education methods the University of New Mexico, and in in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Po- courses, and supervises student teach- public schools in Iowa and Minnesota. land. In 2003 he was recognized by the ers. Parks completed her undergraduate Robinson most recently served as di- Wisconsin Choral Directors Association degree at St. Olaf College, received an rector of music ministry at La Casa de with the Morris D. Hayes Award and MM and public school certiﬁ cation from Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, was recently inducted into the Robert the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Arizona. She has sung as a soloist with H. Harvey Knoxville College Hall of and holds a PhD in music education numerous orchestras in Arizona and the Fame. Cheatham is the conductor of from the University of Minnesota. Prior upper Midwest, the Tucson Chamber the three- tiered New Jubilee Choral to her appointment at St. Norbert Col- Artists, and as a member of the Dale Ensembles (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). He lege, Parks was an associate professor Warland Singers. She has presented is the subject of biographical record of music at the University of Wisconsin- lectures and workshops on vocal health in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who River Falls, where she received the 2008 in the choral setting at state ACDA con- in America, Who’s Who In American Outstanding Teaching Award within the ferences and was the keynote speaker Education, and Dictionary of International Humanities and Fine Arts Division of for the 2012 Arizona NATS convention. Biography. the College of Arts and Sciences. She She has been a conductor and clinician is an active choral clinician and voice at numerous honor choirs and festivals. adjudicator throughout the Midwest and She holds a BM from Luther College, an a member of ACDA, NAfME, NATS, Phi MM in conducting and voice from the Enriching the Life Kappa Phi, and Pi Kappa Lambda. University of New Mexico, and a DMA of the Aging Choral Singer in choral conducting from the University of Arizona. As promoters of lifelong learning in the arts, choral directors must continue Exploring Diverse Tonal Potentials to provide exceptional music education in the Choral Ensemble: For Everyone Born, and performance opportunities for our aging population. This session examines Strategies that Allow A Place in the Choir many aspects of contemporary re- Developing and Mature search related to the aging voice. Topics Singers to Sing Freely An issue that crosses all cultural, covered will include posture, breath, racial, and ethnic backgrounds is that articulation, hearing loss, and the effects in the Ensemble of sexual orientation. With bullying in of medication on the voice. The ses- schools, LGBT teens committing suicide, sion allows for time to discuss ways of At press time there was no descrip- and new political shifts associated with tion available for this session. gay rights, it is important for choral

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educators to realize their parts in es- of Anthropology and the Wright Mu- sociological and gender issues surround- tablishing a safe and nurturing learning seum of Art. The ensembles explored a ing women’s choruses and singing soci- environment. Our role as music edu- program of choral music in which each eties, and multi-disciplinarity as a means cators lends itself to being a fi gure in musical selection was paired with one of engaging the liberal arts within the whom students can trust and confi de. of nine objects from the museums’ col- choral experience. This session will explore how to handle lections that engendered the broadest various situations (such as a student academic intersections. Students drew Joy Elizabeth Beck- coming out to you) and will include on their own research, class discussion, man is the director personal experiences, resources to turn and refl ective writing exercises, and of the Wright Mu- to, and sharing of similar experiences by were guided by a diverse cohort of seum of Art, Beloit audience participants. faculty members as they explored not College, and assis- only the form and artistry of the music tant professor of art Christopher Larson is and museum pieces as individual enti- history. She writes currently the music ties but also the manner in which each on museum studies and ancient Chinese director and organ- pair might refl ect, expand, or illustrate archaeology. Among her recent publica- ist at the Vermillion one another. In this session, Susan Rice, tions is “Faculty and Student Curators: First United Meth- director of choirs, and project collabora- An Exhibit Template for Course Integra- odist Church. He tor Joy Beckman, director of the Wright tion” with Stefanie S. Jandl and Mark S. also is in his tenth Museum of Art, will share details of the Gold (eds.) Academic Museums: Campus year of accompanying in the music and Hidden Harmony Project and provide and Community, Museums Etc., 2012. theatre departments of the University guidelines for developing similar projects of South Dakota (USD). He teaches pri- that explore intersections between vate voice, piano, and woodwind lessons choral music and museum (or other) at his home in Vermillion and at Midbell collections. Inspiration: Breathing New Music in Sioux City, Iowa. After gradu- Life into the Choral Music ating from USD with his BME, Larson Susan Rice is the taught high school choir, show choir, and director of choirs of the Renaissance band in Scotland, South Dakota, before at Beloit College in moving to teach solely at the high school Wisconsin, where Published and public domain choral level. He is now back at USD working on she conducts wom- editions often give little or no informa- master’s degrees in choral conducting en’s and mixed voice tion about the music other than cursory and collaborative piano. In his spare time, chamber choirs, a notes and limited editorial markings. he does freelance work as an adjudica- student/community member ensemble, Many conductors are often left to teach tor, accompanist, and clinician at local and teaches music theory. Prior to join- the music with little information to schools and theatres. ing the Beloit faculty, Rice was a music properly teach historical performance educator at the high school level in practices, languages, and make neces- northeastern Pennsylvania. She holds a sary editorial changes to the score. Hearing the Hidden Harmonies: BME from the University of Cincinnati The purpose of this session is to offer College-Conservatory of Music, an MM conductors perspectives on these issues Pairing the Choral Art in choral conducting from Western that usually are not provided by the with the Visual Michigan University, and a DMA in score. Conductors will be presented choral conducting and literature from with ideas and tools to achieve musical the University of Illinois at Urbana- and nuanced performances through During the spring 2013 semester, Champaign. Her research interests simple score analysis, learning about the Beloit College chamber choirs en- include sketch study and compositional regional dialects (i.e., Germanic Latin), gaged in the Hidden Harmony Project process, performance practice of the musical meter, phrasing, and musical line in collaboration with the two campus baroque and classical eras, the historical, during the Renaissance. This session will teaching museums: the Logan Museum

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also provide examples of lesser-known Nicholaus B. Cummins previously taught public school choral compositions from the Renaissance that is assistant profes- music in Alabama and Texas. He is also are also as rewarding as the traditionally sor of music and director of music at First United Meth- performed works. The ideas proposed director of choral ac- odist Church in Cleveland, Mississippi. in this session are all solutions and sug- tivities at Delta State He has served as a clinician for middle gestions provided to conductors of high University, where he and high school choirs in Texas, Alabama, school choirs prior to district and state conducts the three Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi and choral performance evaluations through choirs, teaches conducting and choral has been a clinician for several honor clinics and adjudication. The overall goal methods, and supervises vocal music choirs. In addition, he has presented is to give attendees a broader base education interns. He received his BM topics at conferences throughout the of knowledge about the performance from the University of Mississippi, MME Southeast related to technology, perfor- and literature of this accessible body of from the University of Alabama-Birming- mance practice, and choral music from choral literature prior to teaching the ham, and DMA in choral conducting at the Baltic States. music to choirs. Louisiana State University. Cummins

CHORAL JOURNAL SUBMISSIONS Do you want your name to be etched into the canon of choral history? Submissions are currently being accepted for the Choral Journal. The Journal is ACDA’s national publication that reaches almost 20,000 subscribers every month. We are seeking well-written, innovative articles that offer new knowledge or insight into a variety of topics pertaining to choral music. Those interested should visit for submission guidelines.

152 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 Iowa • Minnesota • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wisconsin March 20 - 22, 2014 • Des Moines, Iowa

iPads in South Washington County Community Jin Ye is a member of Band, has directed the orchestra for the the conducting fac- Choral Music Education Woodbury Community Theater, and has ulty of China Con- sung with the Woodbury Community servatory of Music, The iPad continues to be a driving Theater, the Minnesota Chorale, and Beijing, China. The force in education and is a rare device the Minnesota Opera. He has served North Central Divi- that can actually fi t into the choral re- on district technology committees in the sion will host Profes- hearsal. The iPad can be used for many districts where he works and lives. Rus- sor Jin Ye in 2014. things in choir, from sight-reading to sell has presented many sessions on the replacing printed choral music. This ses- use of technology in music education at David Puderbaugh sion will focus on integrating the iPad a number of professional conferences. is assistant director into choral music at various levels of the of Choral Activities SAMR technology integration model, at the University highlighting specifi c apps and the latest of Iowa, where he news and developments with the device International Conductor conducts Camerata, and the apps that are available for choral Exchange Program teaches graduate music education. choral literature, undergraduate choral Visiting International conducting, and advises DMA theses. Christopher J. Russell, Conductor from China The globalization of choral music and PhD, is the author of performance is central to his creative the Technology in and research outlook; he was awarded Music Education Blog The North Central ACDA Division a Fulbright Fellowship in Estonia to study and several books hosts two top Chinese conductors at Estonian choral music and the National on technology in the Des Moines conference as part of Song Festivals during the Soviet occu- music education on ACDA’s international conductor ex- pation. Puderbaugh returns to Estonia the iBookstore. He is the director of change program, where they will lead a regularly as a conductor, singer, and choirs at Oltman Middle School in St. session on Chinese choral repertory ac- researcher. Paul Park, Minnesota. He earned a BME cessible to Western choirs and interact Puderbaugh is conductor of Chamber from Northwestern College, an MME with choral conductors from across the Singers of Iowa City, a select ensemble with a choral emphasis at the University division. Following their presentation that performs a wide variety of music. of St. Thomas, and a doctorate of phi- at the North Central Division Confer- Notable recent performances include losophy in music from the University of ence, Professors Wu and Jin will visit high Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s The Seasons, Minnesota. He has also worked toward school, university, and community choral Mozart’s Requiem, and Rachmaninov’s a master of divinity at Bethel Theo- programs in Iowa and Wisconsin, leading All-Night Vigil. Upcoming concerts will logical Seminary. He previously taught masterclasses, conducting clinics with feature such works as Ola Gjeilo’s Dark middle school music in the Dominican ensembles, and lecturing on Chinese Night of the Soul, Victoria’s Tenebrae mo- Republic at the Carol Morgan School choral music. tets, and Durufl é’s Requiem. Puderbaugh in Santo Domingo; was the director of is in demand as a choral clinician, guest choirs at Park High School in Cottage Wu Lingfen is pro- conductor, and tenor soloist, recently Grove, Minnesota, for twelve years; fessor of music and appearing in performances of Handel’s and the director of choirs at East Ridge director of conduct- Messiah, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and High School in Woodbury, Minnesota, ing at China Con- Schütz’s St. John Passion. for four years. He has taught a class on servatory of Music, Puderbaugh is editor of Recorded technology in music education for the Beijing, China. The Sound Reviews for the Choral Journal MME program at the University of St. North Central Di- and general editor of the North Central Thomas. Russell is a lyric tenor and tubist vision will host Professor Wu Lingfen Division’s newsletter Melisma. He is and has been a guest conductor of the in 2014. also a steering committee member of

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ACDA's International Conductor Ex- directs workshops, clinics, and youth education. change Program and a board member harmony camps and coaches conduct- Attendees will gain valuable advice of the Iowa chapter of the Fulbright ing and singing. In the offi ce, he oversees for balancing responsibilities, building a Association. publications. He has collaborated with successful résumé, diversifying experi- composers and arrangers, including Kir- ences, managing stress, and developing by Shaw and Deke Sharon. Scott joined as a musician. Level the Playing Field: the Color Country Chorus (CCC) Additionally, the session will focus when he was eleven years old. He sang on the issues of purpose, self-worth, Using Barbershop Harmony with the CCC for a decade, eventually positivity, and embracing possibilities. As to Get More Males becoming their front line director. Scott students return to their schools, they has sung every part in many different will fi nd themselves better equipped to into Your Choral Program quartets, most recently bass with 2013 make the most out of their educational Dixie District Champions RedZone. He experience and propel themselves into Choral directors all over the country holds a bachelor’s in music composition a fulfi lling life of music. High school and are in a constant struggle to balance from Utah State University and has college educators will also be able to their choirs. Increasing infl uences from written or arranged over a hundred better understand how to encourage society, along with peer pressure, makes pieces of music for various ensembles. and guide students in the collegiate singing in many middle and high schools He is published through Music House journey. “uncool” for boys. Even with shows like Publications and the Barbershop Har- Glee, The Sing-Off, and The Voice, young mony Society. Wesley G. Smith male voices tend to resist joining choirs. holds a BME in vo- What if the boys just showed up in choir cal music education and stayed there? While barbershop from Lee Univer- harmony is sometimes thought of as an Making it Count: sity in Cleveland, “old man’s hobby,” the reality is that it Getting the Most Tennessee, where not only helps your boys want to sing he studied choral but has evolved to become one of the of Your College Education conducting with Cameron LaBarr. He most effective tools to help teach ear currently serves as music intern at training, sight-reading, vocal indepen- The collegiate years are an exciting Broad Street United Methodist Church dence, and performance training. This phase of life for musicians. During this in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he codi- session will provide an in-depth look time, students develop their musical abil- rects an elementary chorus, N’Light’N at the barbershop genre, methods of ities, prepare for the “real world,” learn Youth Choir, and assists the Chancel instruction (including integration into time-management skills, and participate Choir. Past experiences include student an SATB setting), the benefi ts that the in enriching opportunities outside of the conductor of Choral Union at Lee study of barbershop harmony can pro- classroom. University, conductor of a student-led vide to your other repertoire, as well These years are also important for chamber chorus, participant in the con- as methods of achieving your state and building interpersonal relationships, es- ducting institute at Westminster Choir national standards with a style of music tablishing one’s identity, and recognizing College with James Jordan in June 2012, your boys will want to keep singing… one’s purpose as a musician. The college and bass section leader of the Lee Uni- over and over again! years are incredibly rewarding yet often versity Chorale. As a baritone, he has overwhelming as students ponder ques- performed with the Tennessee Chamber Adam Scott works tions such as, “Is what I am doing worth Chorus, Broad Street United Methodist both as music edu- it?” and “How does what I do today af- Church Chancel Choir, various ensem- cator and editor of fect the possibilities of tomorrow?” bles at Lee University, the 2012 Tennes- Music Publications Approached from the perspective of see All-Collegiate Choir, and Peachtree for the Barbershop a recent college graduate, this session Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Harmony Society. provides collegiate students with direc- He has studied voice with James Frost On the road he tion and guidance to having a fruitful and James Burns and collaborative piano

154 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 Iowa • Minnesota • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wisconsin March 20 - 22, 2014 • Des Moines, Iowa with Perry Mears. Publications include ricular mixed choirs serving more than articles in the Chorister, published by a quarter of the six hundred students Choristers Guild, and choral reviews at DHS. Singers participate in state solo published in the Choral Journal and the and small ensemble festivals each year, Chorister. with over one hundred entries in 2013, and can perform in two madrigal groups that combine with strings, recorders, brass, and actors for an annual madrigal Mini Residencies dinner feast. with Brainerd Blyden-Taylor Decorah Schools boast a strong K–12 comprehensive music program and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale centered on music literacy. Choir members are heavily involved in all school mances at the Minnesota MEA Conven- Two North Central Division high activities, helping Decorah win the Iowa tion, Minnesota ACDA Fall Conference, school choirs have the enviable op- Challenge Cup fi ve of the last six years, MSU Choral Festival, Minnesota ACDA portunity to spend time with Nathaniel an award that considers success in fi ne Choral Arts Finale, and the Minnesota Dett Chorale Founding Artistic Director arts, athletics, and academics. Choral Artists—The Singers: Morten Brainerd Blyden-Taylor and members Lauridsen Festival. The choir recently of the Dett Chorale in a mini-residency. Jason F. Rausch is collaborated with VocalEssence and Conference-goers are invited to ob- in his seventh year Cantus. The choir also commissions serve as Blyden-Taylor, who has worked as director of vo- composers from across the country successfully with choral singers of all cal music at Deco- each year in an effort to promote new ages, gives these singers from Decorah rah High School. He choral works that are challenging and (Iowa) and Hopkins (Minnesota) High holds degrees from accessible for high school choirs. Schools the experience of learning, quite Waldorf College and literally, from the “pros.” Using pre-assign- Luther College and a master’s in choral Philip Brown is the ed literature, Blyden-Taylor and Dett conducting from the University of Iowa. director of choral members will challenge and inspire their Rausch is currently president-elect and activities at Hopkins young choral partners on a range of mentor chair for the Iowa Choral Di- High School, located choral matters, from the technical to the rectors Association. He was the choral in Minnetonka, Min- artistic, from the reinforcement of fun- director for Celebration Iowa Singers nesota, and conduc- damentals to the highest-level nuances. and Jazz Band in 2010 and worked as tor of the Cantanti assistant choral director in 1999, 2000, Singers with Angelica Cantanti Youth Brainerd Blyden Taylor will be the clini- and 2002. Frequently a guest conduc- Choirs. He graduated from Bethany Col- cian for this session. His photo and bio tor and clinician, one of Rausch’s most lege in Kansas, majoring in K–12 music can be found on page 110. memorable musical experiences was education. He later received his MME conducting the 2005 Boys Iowa Opus from Northern Arizona University. Honor Choir (grades 7–8). He was At Hopkins High School he conducts the clinician for the collegiate reper- seven choral ensembles, serves as the toire choir at the 2012 North Central vocal director for the school’s annual ACDA Division Conference in Madison, musical, and coaches the JV girls tennis Wisconsin. team. Brown is an active adjudicator and serves as the Minnesota ACDA Rep- The Hopkins High School Concert Choir ertoire & Standards Coordinator. His consists of juniors and seniors who professional affi liations include ACDA The Decorah High School Concert Choir, meet during an alternating block sched- and NAfME. an auditioned ensemble of sixty-seven ule throughout the academic year. Past juniors and seniors, is one of three cur- honors for this choir include perfor-

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Music 5: Middle Level Honor Choir Festival. will also be discussed, as well as strate- While attending UW-Eau Claire, Larsen gies for instrumentation pairings and Fostering Diverse Musicians acted as assistant director to Alan Rieck rehearsal techniques. beyond the Performance and a student conductor of the Singing Statesmen under the direction of Gary Trey Davis is associ- As a middle-level choral music edu- Schwartzhoff. Throughout his under- ate director of cho- cator, I wanted to break the stereotype graduate studies, Larsen was a selected ral activities at the of singers and musicians being mutually soloist with the Singing Statesmen, Con- University of Wis- exclusive terms. I was tired of having cert Choir, and the Eau Claire Chamber consin-Platteville, classes of fi fty plus and not knowing my Orchestra, performing such pieces as where he conducts students as musicians, as well as spending Vaughn Williams’s Five Mystical Songs beginning and ad- so much time developing the concert and Mozart’s Missa Brevis. As an active vanced choirs, teaches music educa- without developing the musician. member of the UW-Eau Claire opera tion courses, and supervises student Through a classroom routine para- community, Larsen starred in the lead- teachers. In demand as a clinician and digm shift, we all can work in small ing role of Count Danilo Danilovitsch guest artist, Davis is also a conductor groups and teach musical skills and in Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow and to the Platteville Children’s Choir and knowledge that are otherwise next to as Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas in 2008. is assistant conductor to the Dubuque impossible to teach in a “traditional” Chorale, which will perform in the rehearsal model. Furthermore, we know upcoming Wisconsin Choral Directors that not all kids learn in the same man- Association Conference. This season, ner. Giving students various means to Not-So-“Major” Works: he will appear as tenor soloist in perfor- learn music greatly impacts the amount mances of Bach’s Nach dir, Herr, verlanget of students enthusiastic about music. Alternative, International Off erings mich, BWV 150, with the Dubuque This session will discuss the way from Outside the Canon Symphony Orchestra. Prior to his ap- Music 5 fosters musicians well beyond pointment in Platteville, Davis was a the learning of notes for a concert. The DMA candidate in choral conducting at Of the thousands of multi-movement session will include practical ways for Texas Tech University with Richard Bjella. and extended choral masterworks that teachers to implement music literacy In addition to his capacity as conductor are appropriate for ensembles at the activities, work in small groups to assess of University Singers, he also served as high school or collegiate level, only a students’ learning, while still preparing a assistant conductor to the University handful are regularly performed, and high-quality musical performance. Choir and conducted the ensemble in a of these, virtually all represent Western performance for the Texas MEA confer- European schools.The requiems of Reid Larsen is a ence. Davis completed his MM studies in Brahms, Durufl é, Fauré, and Mozart and graduate of the Uni- choral conducting at Westminster Choir annual offerings of Handel’s Messiah and versity of Wisconsin- College of Rider University in Princeton, Vivaldi’s Gloria are ripe with pedagogi- Eau Claire, holding New Jersey, serving as graduate assistant cal opportunities and rich with artistic a BME. Larsen is a to the Symphonic Choir under Joe Miller. merit; however, students and audiences choir director at While at Westminster Choir College, he alike benefi t from experiencing diverse Cottage Grove Mid- prepared choirs for performances with works from a variety of compositional dle School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. many of the leading symphony orches- spheres, both geographic and historical. Currently, he is also pursuing an MME tras of the world, including the New This session will explore valuable yet from St. Thomas University. Larsen is York Philharmonic and San Francisco under-performed programming choices, the founder and artistic director of Con Symphony at venues such as Lincoln ranging from the panoply of repertories Brio Community Choir, an adult com- Center and Carnegie Hall. He also from the Americas to the folk traditions munity choir based in Cottage Grove. toured extensively with the forty-voice and unique soundscapes of Eastern Eu- Recently, he served as guest clinician for Westminster Choir and was featured as rope and beyond. Lesser-known works the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s a soloist on the internationally released from composers of the traditional canon album Noël with mezzo-soprano Jen-

156 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 Iowa • Minnesota • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wisconsin March 20 - 22, 2014 • Des Moines, Iowa

nifer Larmore. Prior to his graduate choral activities. At UNO, he directs the speciﬁ c exercises that enable directors studies, Davis served as choral director Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Uni- to train singers organically in rehearsal at Temple High School in Temple, Texas. versity Chorus, and teaches conducting, and presents underlying principles that He earned a BME with an emphasis in choral literature, choral methods, and provide directors with reliable choices vocal performance from Pepperdine Renaissance music history. In addition, for eliciting desired musical effect. University in Malibu, California. he is founder and artistic director of the adult chamber ensemble Madrigali et al. Constance Chase will be the clinician for Harden earned his DMA in interdisci- this session. Her photo and bio can be plinary studies (choral music education) found on page 102. from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, his MM from Portland State University, and degrees in performance and education Sight-Singing in The University of Nebraska at Omaha from Southern Oregon State College. the Choral Classroom Chamber Choir is the premier touring His studies and degrees are in the areas of conducting, organ, music education, choir of the university. This select choir This workshop acquaints choral and voice. specializes in challenging unaccompanied conductors with the tools and materials Harden founded the North Coast literature, performing repertoire cover- needed to integrate sight-singing instruc- Chorale, was assistant conductor and ing all style periods from the Renais- tion into rehearsals. First, an overview of tenor section leader for the Portland sance to the present day. Additionally, an effective choral rehearsal plan, which Symphonic Choir, artistic director for the Chamber Choir has worked with several includes warm-ups, tuning exercises, Early Music ensemble “Sine Nomine,” critically acclaimed musicians, including sight-singing, and rehearsing of literature, and taught in various Oregon schools Bruce Browne, Heather Buchanan, Paul will be delineated. Next, the sight-singing for twelve years. He has conducted Carey, Judith Clurman, and Eph Ehly. portion of the rehearsal will be carefully choirs on tour in the United States Recently the choir received rave reviews examined. Tools for teaching sight-sing- and internationally. In addition, he has in the Omaha Performing Arts produc- ing, including solfège, rhythm syllables, conducted festival choirs in nine states tion of Distant Worlds: Music from Final conducting gestures, Curwen hand signs, and most recently the professional Fantasy. and singing on absolute pitch names, will choir Polifonia in Lithuania. Harden is In 2009 the Chamber Choir was be demonstrated. Next, guidelines for an active member of ACDA, Chorus chosen to perform at the Nebraska selecting excellent sight-singing materials America, NAfME, NCCO, and IFCM. MEA Annual Conference in Lincoln. This will be offered. Finally, participants will He is currently serving as immediate ensemble frequently performs in the see how skills honed during sight-singing past president of the Nebraska Choral metropolitan area, including the Joslyn may be connected to choral literature in Directors Association. Art Museum, the Western Heritage a manner that further builds fundamen- Museum, area churches, and other ven- tal musicianship skills. This invigorating ues. In 2008 the UNO Chamber Choir workshop is sure to inspire conference traveled to Xalapa, Omaha’s sister city in Resonance in the Choral Voice: participants to integrate sight-singing Mexico, performed a series of concerts, materials into rehearsals in a fashion and toured Veracruz in eastern Mexico. All Things are Possible! that is both educationally sound and motivational to the learner! Matthew Harden Singing in the resonance of the voice joined the faculty makes possible all things choral: intona- James Bowyer is as- at the University tion, blend, dynamics, and tonal color. The sistant professor of of Nebraska at coordination of two vital components music at Indiana Uni- Omaha (UNO) in produces resonant singing reliably: the versity South Bend, 2006, where he is appoggio breath posture and acoustical where he conducts currently associate vowels. This interactive session teaches the Chamber Choir professor of music and director of

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and Chorale; teaches courses in music oped by the presenter in response to Teaching Jazz Concepts education, choral studies, voice, and au- frustration with unsuccessful attempts ral skills; and serves as musical director to improve intonation and sight-singing in the Vocal Jazz for the main stage musical productions. ability through other methods. By teach- Ensemble Rehearsal During the summer he is on the faculty ing solfege syllables as part of traditional of the American Kodály Institute, Loyola harmonic progressions, students are able This clinic will provide directors with University, Baltimore’s graduate music to understand harmonic progressions possible ways to effi ciently incorporate education degree program. He earned and their role in a particular chord as important aspects of jazz styles—rhyth- a DMA in choral conducting from the a function of solfeggio. The session will mic feel, song form, improvisation, and University of Washington; an MM in describe the step-by-step process and harmony—into the rehearsal by show- choral conducting, voice performance give examples of applying the system to ing connections between these con- and pedagogy, and music education standard choral repertoire at any level. cepts and the literature the ensemble from Westminster Choir College; and is learning. a BME at Manchester University. He Bryson Mortensen is taught K–12 choral and general music artistic director of Timothy Buchholz will be the clinician for for nine years in public, private, and the Festival Choir of this session. His photo and bio can be charter school settings in Indiana, Mas- Madison and direc- found on page 135. sachusetts, Washington, and Missouri. tor of choral activi- As a lyric tenor, Bowyer has presented ties at the University numerous recitals and appeared as a of Wisconsin-Rock soloist with a range of orchestras, most County. He has previously conducted Teach Phrasing First: recently performing the title role in a choirs at the University of Illinois at concert version of Bernstein’s Candide Urbana-Champaign and Brigham Young Practical Considerations for with the South Bend Symphony. Equally University; cofounded the Heritage Sing- Teaching Artistry at the Beginning at home with oratorio literature, he has ers in Champaign, Illinois; and conducted performed tenor solos with numerous QuoQue in Provo, Utah. As a baritone of the Rehearsal Process symphonies. Bowyer is a specialist in soloist, Mortensen has performed in the Kodály concept and has presented Handel’s Messiah, Giacomo Carissimi’s Choirs learn, internalize, and repeat in research at national conferences. He Jepthe, and several of Bach’s cantatas. He performance what they do most often is contributing author to the Teaching has also collaborated as a clinician with in rehearsal. Good choral pedagogy Music Through Performance in Choir series high school, collegiate, and church choirs includes the separation and integration (GIA). His textbook Creative Sightsing- across the country. of the technical aspects of the music ing (Santa Barbara Music Press, 2008) In addition to his work as a conduc- and the articulation of the music’s artis- has been adopted by high schools and tor, Mortensen has taught private voice tic and expressive content. If, however, colleges across the United States and for nine years, taught private conducting music learning is completely separated Canada. for four years, and taught courses in mu- from musical expression and artistry, sic theory, aural skills, and music history. or artistic concerns are addressed near Mortensen studied conducting and or at the end of the rehearsal pro- vocal performance at Brigham Young cess, conductors will create a context Teaching Harmonic Context University and the University of Illinois wherein the desired communication and has worked with conductors such of expressive content will be diffi cult, through Solfeggio as Joseph Flummerfelt, Marguerite L. if not impossible, to achieve, and their Brooks, Robert Sund, Chester Alwes, performances will lack the expressive Improve your singer’s ear for intona- and Ronald Staheli. He studied voice and emotional depth that defi nes a great tion and sight-reading skills by teaching with Jerold Siena, Lawrence Vincent, and performance. In short, choirs perform solfeggio from a harmonic perspective. Anna Mooy. what they rehearse, and it is impera- This session outlines a process devel- tive that choirs rehearse musically and expressively, if that is indeed the intent

158 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 Iowa • Minnesota • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wisconsin March 20 - 22, 2014 • Des Moines, Iowa

of the performance. Choral Bulletin. Grives holds a DMA from and have earned numerous superior The session will focus on the spe- the University of Colorado at Boulder. ratings at Iowa’s State Large Group cifi c ways that teaching the expressive Choral Festival. elements of music—including but not Brimeyer completed an MM in limited to phrase shape and direction, choral conducting from Michigan State word stress and accentuation, and struc- University in 2010. He graduated with ture and musical form—at the beginning distinction from Iowa State University in of the rehearsal process can comple- 2007 with a BM in vocal music education ment the music learning process and and German. He has studied conduct- result in better, more engaging musical ing with David Rayl, Jonathan Reed, and performances. The session will illustrate James Rodde. His voice teachers include Urbandale Singers is the premier choral several musical principles that can be Molly Fillmore and Donald Simonson. ensemble at Urbandale High School. transferable to a wide variety of choral The choir consists of forty-fi ve students repertoire. in grades 10–12 who are involved in numerous athletics and activities. Steve Grives is direc- Students are selected to the choir by Teaching Your Singers to Fish: tor of choral en- rigorous audition, including solo singing, sembles at DePaul How Diction Frees Us sight-reading, rhythmic counting, and University in Chi- tonal memory components. The choir to Sing around the World cago, Illinois. Grives performs a wide variety of repertoire conducts the Uni- from the Renaissance to contemporary versity Singers and Since the creation of the National eras while emphasizing healthy singing Concert Choir, teaches the History of Standards for Music Education in 1994, technique and advanced music literacy. the Oratorio course, and advises stu- choral music educators have been Every member of the choir commits to dents in the MM in vocal performance distinctly responsible for singing varied participating in solo and small ensemble program. Grives has prepared choruses repertoire (Standard 1) and for study- contests and a winter caroling service for performances of choral-orchestral ing the relationships between music learning project. Urbandale Singers re- works with the DePaul Symphony Or- and world/historical cultures (Standard hearses four days a week and performs chestra, DePaul Chamber Orchestra, 9). Concurrently we have enjoyed an at four home concerts throughout the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and infl ux of great choral repertoire for school year. Chicago Sinfonietta. Outside of DePaul, school, community, and church choirs from around the world. In short, every Grives is the founding artistic director Theodore (Ted) of the Caritas Singers, a professional, choral educator has the guided direction Brimeyer is in his women’s choir based out of Chicago, to teach music from around the world seventh year as a and directs the Traditional Choir at and, increasingly, great repertoire with vocal music educa- Immaculate Conception Parish in High- which to teach. But we have left out an tor and fourth year land Park, Illinois. Grives is a member important part in this process: how do as director of choirs of several professional organizations we coach our students to sing in Bulgar- at Urbandale High including ACDA, IFCM, and NCCO. ian or Mandarin when we ourselves do School (UHS) in Urbandale, Iowa. He Steve currently serves on the Editorial not speak these languages? leads a vibrant vocal music department, Board of the Choral Journal as editor of In this session, Stephen Sieck exam- boasting enrollment of 260 students, the “Choral Reviews” column. He is in ines the challenges, the resources, and six performing ensembles, and six full- frequent demand as a guest conductor, the best methods for teaching choirs and part-time staff. Brimeyer directs guest lecturer, choral clinician, and adju- of any level how to approach new Urbandale Singers, Men’s Concert Choir, dicator at the state, regional, and national languages. Drawing from his experi- and Women’s Concert Choir at UHS. levels. His publications have appeared in ences as a conductor, voice teacher, and Ensembles under his direction commit state and regional choral newsletters, in diction coach, Sieck shows how choirs to a high level of musical achievement the Choral Journal, and in the International who start with a purposeful foundation

CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 159 IInterestNorthnterest SSessionsessions Central Division

in the International Phonetic Alphabet performance with modest consent or teaches voice and choral conducting. and with a clear command of their ar- out of sheer resignation. This session will Previously, he served as director of ticulators become better equipped to demonstrate that the performance of choral activities at Bethany College in handle foreign language repertoire with choral music in translation need not be Lindsborg, Kansas, and music director conﬁ dence and artistry. merely satisfactory; it should and can be of its Oratorio Society. The renowned satisfying. Several different English ver- Society’s annual performances consist of Messiah every Palm Sunday and Stephen Sieck will be the clinician for this sions of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion will Easter, and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion session. His photo and bio can be found be compared and contrasted with each every Good Friday. From 2010 to 2012, on page 140. other and the original German using four principal areas of concern—vocal, Mahraun was a full-time member of the word-choice, contextual/theological, and Rose Ensemble, the Saint Paul-based poetic. Performance issues posed by the early music group, giving over sixty con- Vulnerability : use of a translation will be outlined along certs around the country each season. A Hidden Gift of Music with suggested solutions for the Passion As a lyric baritone, his credits include and for smaller works by Mendelssohn opera, oratorio, numerous Bach cantatas, and Hindemith. In situations where we and frequent recitals. do not have access to native speak- Mahraun holds a BME from Wart- Weston Noble will be the clinician for this ers for guidance, in situations where burg College, master’s degrees in con- session. His photo and bio can be found rehearsal time is limited, these consid- ducting and vocal performance from on page 148. erations for the selection of an English the University of Northern Iowa, and singing version have immeasurable value. a DMA in choral literature and performance from the University of Colorado "What Language Daniel A. Mahraun at Boulder. Shall I Borrow…" serves as director Singing in Translation of choral activities at Minnesota State University Moor- Some conductors consider the per- head, where he con- formance of music in translation a form ducts the Concert of blasphemy; others approach such Choir and Draco Voces Men’s Choir and

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Collegiate Repertory rehearsal strategies that lead to the recommended by their professors who development of artistry, as they explore will be juniors or seniors in the fall of repertoire that will be useful to them as 2014. Students will receive ﬁ fteen pieces, The purpose of the Collegiate Rep- teachers at the middle and high school teaching plans for each, and a full day of ertoire Choir is to give choral music levels. rehearsal sessions on Saturday, March education students the opportunity The Collegiate Repertory Choir will 22, 2014, during the North Central to participate in interactive, engaging be comprised of quartets of students ACDA Division Conference in Des

160 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 54 Number 6 Iowa • Minnesota • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wisconsin March 20 - 22, 2014 • Des Moines, Iowa

Moines, Iowa. All participants will need (Austin), and the University of South been active as a church music director to join or be current student members Africa in Pretoria. throughout his career, currently serving of ACDA. The students will not need to Northwestern University celebrated Winnetka Congregational Church as di- prepare in advance since the music will Harris’s retirement in May 2012 by pro- rector of music and choirmaster. He is a be distributed on site. ducing the US premiere of the British member of ACDA and Chorus America. The Collegiate Repertory Choir is composer Richard Blackford’s oratorio coordinated by Laura Diddle of South Not in Our Time at Millennium Park, Dakota State University. Conductors Chicago, with Harris conducting North- for the project are, Jo Ann Miller, North western’s University Chorale, Chorus, Middle Level Boys Dakota State University; Matthew Wan- Women’s Ensemble, and Symphony ner, Director of Choirs Muskego High Orchestra. School (Wisconsin); Natalie McDonald, Harris is active as a conductor, choir Vincent Oakes is in Director of Choirs Dallas Center- clinician, and adjudicator, having ap- his eleventh year as Grimes Community School District peared in these capacities throughout artistic director of the High School (Iowa); Brian Stubbs, Di- the United States, in the Republic of Chattanooga Boys rector of Choirs, Brainerd High School China, in South Korea, in Hong Kong, in Choir, a community (Minnesota); and A.J. Reimer, Director South Africa, in Argentina, and in Bogata, organization of over of Choirs, Bellevue West High School Colombia. 150 boys from ages (Nebraska). As a composer, Harris has been the eight to eighteen in ﬁ ve choirs. He recipient of over forty commissions earned a BME from the University of from schools, churches, and musical or- Florida and an MSM in choral conduct- Elementary ganizations. His compositions, especially ing from Emory University. Under his those of the choral genre, have been direction, the Chattanooga Boys Choir performed throughout the world. His has taken performance tours to Canada, Martha Shaw will be the conductor of published works are currently in the Germany, the Czech Republic, Ireland, this choir. Her photo and bio can be catalogs of Oxford University Press, Cuba, and to many prestigious venues found on page 89. Mark Foster, Boosey & Hawkes, Walton throughout the United States. The boy- Music, Alliance Music, Morning Star, and choir has been featured in commercial J. S. Paluch. recordings with Stephen Curtis Chap- Awards and honors for Harris man, Casting Crowns, and the Nashville High School Mixed include an Alumni Arts Achievement Symphony Orchestra (NSO), including Award in Music from Wayne State Uni- the grammy-nominated recording of versity and 2000–2001 Northwestern Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortilèges with the Robert A. Harris re- University School of Music’s Faculty NSO. cently completed Exemplar Teaching Award. He was one Oakes is a frequent choral clinician thirty-five years as of three University professors to receive and guest conductor of honor and festi- professor of conduct- a Northwestern University Alumni As- val choirs and has also been a conductor ing and director of sociation Excellence in Teaching Award and clinician at the Lake Junaluska, Mas- choral organizations for the 2001–2002 academic year. Har- senetta Springs, and Montreat worship in Northwestern ris served for three years as a member music conferences. He has published University’s Bienen School of Music. of the Choral Panel of the National articles and reviews in the Choral Journal Prior to Northwestern, Harris taught Endowment for the Arts and twice and authored a chapter on working with at Wayne State University in Detroit functioned as the panel’s cochair. children’s voices in the textbook Choral and also at Michigan State University, Harris received his education from Pedagogy. where he served as director of choral Wayne State University in Detroit, Oakes is an active member of activities from 1970 to 1977. He has the Eastman School of Music, and his NAfME, the Fellowship of United Meth- held visiting professorships at Wayne doctorate from Michigan State Univer- odists in Music and Worship Arts, and State University, the University of Texas sity in composition and theory. He has ACDA, which he served as Southern

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Division Repertoire & Standards chair general music from Lenoir-Rhyne Col- from North Carolina ACDA. for boychoirs from 2006 to 2010. He is lege in Hickory, North Carolina. Fol- Yoder-White is a certified Orff- currently president of Tennessee ACDA. lowing completion of an MM degree Schulwerk specialist and teaches Oakes is also the director of choral at the University of North Carolina Orff-Schulwerk certiﬁ cation courses music at the Baylor School in Chatta- at Greensboro (UNCG), Yoder-White at Appalachian State University and in nooga. In 2013 he started a chorus of taught middle school choral and general metro Atlanta, and serves as clinician and Chattanooga-area music educators to music in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools author for Silver Burdett Making Music raise awareness for the importance of before returning to UNCG to complete and Silver Burdett Interactive Music. music and arts education in the Tennes- doctoral studies. She was a presenter for the National see Valley region. A frequent clinician, consultant, and American Orff-Schulwerk Association adjudicator for choral workshops and (AOSA) Conferences in 2010 and 2011 festivals throughout the country, Yoder- and has presented workshops to AOSA White is editor of the Hinshaw Music chapters in ﬁ ve states. Middle Level Girls choral series Accent on Young Voices. Yoder-White is president-elect of She has conducted state and regional the Southern Division of NAfME. She choruses throughout the United States. previously served as president of the Maribeth Gail Yoder- As choral adjudicator, Yoder-White has North Carolina MEA and the North White is a freelance judged at various sites nationally and Carolina ACDA. educational consul- internationally. She serves as adjudicator tant, clinician, and for the North Carolina Middle School conductor. A choral and Elementary School Honors Cho- and general music ruses and has composed sight-reading eeducationducation specspecialist,ialist, material for North Carolina Middle YYoder-Whiteoder-White serves as aadjunctdjunct assocassoci-i- SSchoolchool CChoralhoral FeFestivals.stivals. IInn 2005 sshehe ate professor in the Hayes School ofof received the Lara Hoggard Award for Music at Appalachian State University didistinguishedstinguished serviceservice iinn cchoralhoral musmusicic (A(ASU).SU). She received a BME in choralchoral//

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