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2013 TBA 2012 Donald Scott (Valley Christian High School/The King’s Choraliers) 2011 Milton Olsson (Michigan Technical University) 2010 Susan Matych-Hager (Fruitport High School/Siena Heights University) 2009 Mark Puchala (NW Michigan College) 2008 John Tyner (Monroe High School/John Tyner Chorale) 2007 Leonard Riccinto (b.3/1941-d.12/2006) (Eastern Michigan University) 2006 Jerry Blackstone (University of Michigan) 2005 Duane Davis (Grand…
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. This prestigious award is named in honor of Maynard Klein, whose musical achievements established a model of choral artistry and scholarship acclaimed within…
Charlene Archibeque presented a dynamite session on Vocal Warm-ups at the Fall Convention. Although she passed out hand-outs, some of them were incomplete. We have now been able to set up a “Members Only” section of the ACDA website. The link to these warm-ups is below. They will only be available online until January 17th. …
Susan Matych-Hager, professor emeritus, Siena Heights University, retired in May, 2007, after 34 years of service. Prior to Siena Heights University, Susan was a teaching assistant at Indiana University, taught vocal music at Fruitport High School, Fruitport Middle School and at St. Mary’s Elementary School, Adrian. She holds degrees from Siena Heights College (now University)…
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…
