Say hi to us in Milwaukee at the Michigan ACDA Social Hour on Thursday, February 25 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Cocktail Lounge!
Deborah Fristad is recently retired from Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, MI, where she had been teaching since 1997. She conducted three choirs, five select ensembles, two show choirs, and co-directed the spring musical. She also served as department chair for the Visual and Performing Arts Department. In May, 2013 her Women’s Ensemble…
Welcome to ACDA-Michigan! We are a committed group of choral directors, anxious to begin another great season of music making. If you are not an ACDA member, we invite you to join our ranks. Make ACDA an important part of your professional life. We welcome your comments and participation. Please contact me at any time…
As a double major in Vocal Music Education and English Education, I am a huge proponent for a more interdisciplinary approach to teaching music. With the idea of cross-curricular education becoming more popular in schools, it is important for us to consider the occasional use of newer methods in our classrooms. Integrating different subjects…
The July 5th announcement of the passing of Brazeal Dennard, esteemed choral conductor and educator, marked a significant event in the choral music history of Michigan. A lifelong resident of Detroit, Mr. Dennard excelled throughout his life as a music educator, a music supervisor, a church choir director and as the founder and director of…
Isn’t it strange that princes and kingsand clowns that caper in sawdust rings,and common people like you and me Are builders for eternity? Each is given a bag of tools, a shapelessmass, a book of rules, and each must make ‘ere life is flown a stumbling blockor a stepping-stone. Poem by R. Lee Sharpe…
MARK PUCHALA – 2009-10 Recipient Mark Puchala holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Choral Music from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music in Voice from the University of Michigan. He is the chair of the Music Department, Director of Choirs, and an instructor of Applied Voice and Music Appreciation for Northwestern…
ACDA is… a professional organization for professional choral directors. Other organizations serve singers/institutions. Our role is to serve CONDUCTORS! The ACDA-MI Convention is a State Level convention with National Clinicians! The following is adapted from the ACDA National website: How does membership benefit you? Explore Conductor Exchange Programs ACDA Choral Archives and Museums Commissioning new…
“Why not take choir? It’s an easy A!” As choral educators we cringe when we hear those words, not only because we don’t like the stigma of our ensemble being an “easy A,” but also because we know how much work it takes for our students (and us) to put together a quality performance. And…
Singing in the brain Neuroscience takes mental note of our affinity for music. “Humans use music, collectively and individually, in ways that we are just now beginning to scientifically understand.” http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071115/news_lz1c15brain.html Note: If this link doesn’t work, please copy the above address and paste it into your web browser.
One of the best activities I have built into my advanced choir’s schedule is our Fall Retreat. It has proven enormously beneficial to the choir on many levels, most of which are extra-musical. The retreat gives the students a chance to get to know one another, develop section and ensemble identities, and discover the leaders…
