2023 Maynard Klein Award Winner

Congratulations to Bruce Synder, our 2023 Maynard Klein award winner. Please enjoy these comments from Ginny Kerwin, who spoke on Bruce’s behalf at the fall conference.

It is a distinct honor for me to speak on behalf of Bruce Snyder, the 2023 recipient of the ACDA Michigan Maynard Kline Award.  I believe that I have known Bruce for my entire professional life in Michigan, meeting for the first time at the MSVMA Summer Workshop in 1985.  Since then we have served the profession side-by-side as teacher conductors, life coaches you might say, in this glorious art of choral music.  Bruce is one of those wonderful humans who looks into your eyes when he speaks with you, always willing to share, inspire and debate!

In preparing for today’s presentation, it occurred to me how more valuable it would be to hear from those who not only know Bruce as a colleague, but more importantly from others who have been inspired by his genius.

From Derek Fawcett, who serves on the faculties of New York University and Berklee School of Music:

“I’ve had the incredible good fortune to sing under the direction of some of the world’s finest choral conductors, and I’d honestly include Bruce Snyder in that group. Not only is he marvelously, thoughtfully, and skillfully musical in his interpretations and programming of repertoire, he is equal parts teacher and musician, which compels him to help his singers understand the historical context, subtext and significance of what they’re singing.

“As if that weren’t laudable enough, in each of the three years I worked with him, I watched with wonder as he kept his small-but-mighty program afloat by recruiting new members to fill out his choral rosters who were perhaps “choir curious”, but had never sung in one before. And yet, by festival season each year, he had taken choral equivalents of The Bad News Bears and crafted them into top flight musical units that could hold their own with plenty of college choirs, let alone fellow high school ones.

From my first opportunities to work with Mr. Snyder, I marveled at how he not only demanded professional-grade musical work from his students, but also built a beautiful, loving, diverse community, bonded in song. Many of my most cherished friendships started in choir at Andover High School.”

From Ashley Ward, choral director at Walled Lake Northern High School:

“What a remarkable gift he is to the state of Michigan and our collegial community. I first came to know Bruce when I was placed with him at Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills for my pre-student teaching assignment. I was fortunate enough to continue my placement and student teach with him in Winter 2009.

The experience and knowledge that I gained under his leadership- and even to this day- have been invaluable for my development as a Choral educator. He truly has been a mentor and inspiration in so many regards to so many people.

What I admire the most about Bruce, is the fact that he has a multi-faceted approach to how he works with his singers. He is always ready with a tool-kit of techniques and solutions, and constantly assesses and considers different ways to help them sing in a more healthy and musical way. He always approaches the choral learning experience with sound pedagogy and carefully thought out instructional technique. Whether he is working with his church choir,  individual students, or as a clinician, he always has the best knowledge to help them reach their full potential. He truly is a one of a kind director, and I am thankful to know him.”

From Mike Mitchell, director of choral activities at Oakland University:

“Bruce was literally the first high school choral director I met when I moved to Michigan in the late 1990s. He knew nothing about me, but was kind enough to invite me to come to Andover HS and work with his students. Every time I visited, his students were an amazing reflection of their director. They were intelligent, musical, kind, and welcoming. They ALWAYS sang challenging music beautifully and were always open to new ideas.

As a leader in choral music in our state and beyond, Bruce served effectively and selflessly as president of MSVMA and the National Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians, connecting with and mentoring countless choral musicians from around the world.

As a member of the ACDA-Michigan board, Bruce has helped make our state conference far more inclusive and open to many different choral directors. His amazing connections in the world of sacred music have brought us world-class sacred music clinicians, reading sessions, and performances.

But when I think of Bruce, my friend, what I think of most is the man himself. He is a tireless advocate for our art. He is ALWAYS looking to help people. He is never at a loss for wonderful professional advice. He always has a kind word, a creative idea. He’s always looking forward, being optimistic. Where many people see roadblocks, he sees opportunity. Bruce Snyder is the living embodiment of “paying it forward.” He is on this earth to share knowledge, music, love, and friendship. And he is a master of all.”

And lastly from Bruce’s daughter Beth Snyder-Corman:

“Growing up in dad’s rehearsals from the moment I was born offers a unique lens through which to view the world, and interact with the world. Though he certainly commanded respect and expected excellence, he also conveyed that WE had a voice, and WE could take up space in this world. And actually, that we NEEDED to powerfully use our voice, and we NEEDED to thoughtfully take up space in this world. His methods of communicating the depth and the breadth of choral music seamlessly flowed between humor and gravity, fun and seriousness. And in a culture where ennui is the most effective way to be a “cool kid”, he modeled passion. He taught that it was more important to care. For young people, sometimes only *music* can help make sense of their experiences- and for decades, he gave that space freely. The euphoria and the tragedy of teenage life had a safe space in his choir room, and he used his profound love and profound knowledge of the power of music to help *generations* of students navigate these important years on the way to adulthood.”

Bruce, you have shared your remarkable musical gifts with so many, always with passion, intellect, respect, dignity, and faith.  We are deeply indebted to your beautiful family for sharing and supporting your lifelong artistry with love and understanding.  Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do to inspire and uplift us all in the future.

Congratulations, Bruce!!