By Erin Colwitz, ACDA-Michigan President
ACDA-Michigan held its annual conference this past weekend (October 22-23, 2021) at Central Michigan University. This conference was offered as a “hybrid” model to accommodate those that do not yet feel comfortable conferencing in person. However, roughly 70 people met in person for the first time since the global pandemic began.
Each year, ACDA-Michigan is responsible for honoring a member of our constituency for their outstanding work in the field of choral music, their work with ACDA, and their work within our state. This prestigious award is named after the legendary Maynard Klein from the University of Michigan. Dr. Klein retired in 1977, but joined the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Michigan in 1948. For the next 28 years he was chiefly responsible for the extensive program offered by the School of Music, founding and conducting such organizations as the University Choir, the Arts Chorale, the Tudor Singers, and the Rackham Symphony Choir, which later became the official choir of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
The Maynard Klein Award for Distinguished Service to Choral Music in Michigan is presented by ACDA-Michigan in recognition of artistic excellence and a lifetime of leadership in the field of choral music. The award has been given to outstanding choral conductors and educators from our state, such as Sandra Snow, Cathy Brodie, Karen Nevins, Joe Miller, Pearl Shangkuan, Jerry Blackstone, and Brazeal Dennard, to name just a few. Nominations are submitted by members of the board, those nominations are then approved based upon the following criteria (this list is also posted on our website):
- They have excellent knowledge of their field.
- They are considered by peers to be experts in the field.
- They set high standards for themselves.
- They enjoy and are enthusiastic about their field.
- Their work demonstrates superior achievement and earned respect of colleagues.
- They listen to and communicate effectively with others.
- They recognize excellence in others and encourage it.
- They are committed to supporting and interacting with their colleagues.
- They demonstrate a commitment ot ACDA-Michigan.
- They demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in the state of Michigan.
- They have significant impact on the ACDA-Michigan Board of Directors.
- They are crucial in developing the activities and philosophies of ACDA-Michigan.
As current ACDA-Michigan President, I was so pleased and honored to present the 2021 Maynard Klein Award to my friend and colleague, Virginia Kerwin. Ms. Kerwin is the founding artistic director and conductor of Voca Lyrica, an adult treble choir based in Big Rapids. She taught elementary general music for 7 years (New Jersey and Michigan), secondary vocal music for 15 years (Big Rapids Public Schools) and served as adjunct professor at Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University. Ms. Kerwin additionally served as teacher/conductor for institutions such as, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Michigan Ambassadors of Music, MSVMA Honors Choirs, and The University of Michigan All-State Camp at Interlochen, with presentation and performance honors from ACDA Michigan and Central Division Conferences, Michigan Youth Arts Festival and the Midwest Music Conference.
Virginia recently retired as Executive Director of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. We are all aware of her outstanding work as leader of that organization for 20 years. As Executive Director of MSVMA, Virginia was instrumental in developing MSVMA’s current adjudication system. She contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Michigan Music Conference and the Michigan Youth Arts Festival having served as board chair of these organizations. Virginia also served on the ACDA Michigan Board as Northern Lower Peninsula Representative and Women’s R&S Chair (now known as the R & R chair position). She received many accolades throughout her career, but most notably, she was recognized by MMEA as Administrator of the Year and by MSVMA as Teacher of the Year. She can now add Maynard Klein Award winner to her long list of accolades. Ms. Kerwin is truly a trailblazer, mentor, an outstanding educator who inspires (still), champion of choral music, empowering leader, conductor, and amazing woman, colleague, wife, mother, daughter and friend.
Virginia, as humble as ever, had this to say about winning this prestigious award:
When Erin called to congratulate me on being chosen as this year’s Maynard Klein Award winner, I was very surprised. While I am humbled and deeply honored by this award, I don’t really think of myself as anyone out of the ordinary. For over 50 years in the profession, I have just bopped along (like all of you, regardless of age or stage in life), paying attention to my surroundings, finding laughter in the art of play, sharing huge hugs with my loved ones, accepting inspiration and spiritual guidance when blessed, listening to the world around me and helping others find eternal meaning in the art of choral music. (CMU, 10/23/21)
As might be expected, Virginia has many, many colleagues who wanted to celebrate with her. James Borst, Brandon Ulrich, Shirley Lemon, and Karen Nevins spoke on her behalf at the ceremony and each offered heartfelt commentary on how Ginny not only affected their lives and their careers with such positivity, but mentored them and inspired them while working tirelessly on her own for the state of choral music in Michigan. Brandon Ulrich had this to say about our awardee:
I quickly learned that I could look forward to seeing my choral friends at ACDA and MSVMA events, and although I faced similar success in both instrumental and choral music, my talents were nurtured far more by those in choral field, and I found my place amongst “my people.” I remember my first MSVMA board meeting with Ginny, and the way that she treated each person on the full board like their thoughts and contributions were equal.
When I joined the Executive Board, I saw MANY more examples of Ginny’s leadership, and her unique ability to challenge others to think outside the box. Often sitting with her knitting during a long meeting, Ginny would interject with “What if…”, much like a great college professor provides room in discussion for students to explore deeper paths of inquiry. The conversation veered to places of innovation, and dreaming of a better system of choral music. (CMU, 10/23/21)
As the current President of ACDA-Michigan, I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Virginia Kerwin on being this year’s Maynard Klein Award winner. Those of us on the board were all in agreement that she is the embodiment of this award, and we are so grateful to have her here in Michigan. I think I may have also convinced her to jump back on the board. Congratulations to Virginia, and thanks to her husband (her Prince Charming, as she called him), her children, her colleagues and friends for supporting her while she performed and continues to perform outstanding work for choral music in the state of Michigan.
EC 10/25/21
