News/Current Events

The ACDA COVID-19 Response Committee released a detailed report with over 50 resources to help directors plan for the upcoming choral season. CLICK HERE to access the report.

Moderator: Janice Bane, copyright & licensing manager at Barbershop Harmony Society. Copyright and permissions have never been more relevant as ensembles attempt to navigate online platforms to share their performances. Guests discussing the necessary compliance steps included Shari Molstad, permission manager at Hal Leonard Corporation; Kent Draughon, vice-president Publishing Administration at Capitol CMG Publishing; Jeremy…

Moderator: Brian Newhouse, Minnesota Public Radio. This webinar focused on examples of how singers and singing ensembles are producing their art now, as physical distancing guidelines continue to be in place. A variety of guests shared promising projects and existing and emerging technologies that keep us connected and singing. Watch the recording.

The National Association of Teachers of Singing, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Chorus America, Barbershop Harmony Society, and Performing Arts Medical Association (PAMA) presented an important webinar about the near term future of singing as we seek fact based solutions in protecting our singers, teachers, and conductors during this time. The live webinar hosted…

On September 3 I began my 13th year as Director of the Jackson, MI CHORALE and I love the 100 people who come every week to rehearsal just because they love to sing. They come from all walks of life and all ages. Their diversity is one of their qualities that make them so wonderful….

Thank you to all ACDA Michigan members who voted in our recent State President election. ACDA Michigan offers its congratulations to the 2019-2021 President-Elect Erin Colwitz!   Erin Colwitz has been the Director of Choral Activities at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan since August 2015, where she conducts the Arts Chorale and the University Choir. Under…

Choral Music–A Matter of Life and Death . . . ? by Clayton Parr ACDA-Michigan President Elect I have a cousin who lives in a rural area not far away.  We’ve never been particularly close — he’s somewhat older than I am, grew up on a farm, didn’t go to college, worked as an electrician,…

Simple Depth by Jonathan Lunneberg ACDA-Michigan South-Central Lower Peninsula Representative Sometimes the biggest challenge we can give our singers is to sing a simple melody beautifully. Unfortunately, a simple melody written well and with more substance than a satisfying accompaniment isn’t always easy to find. Set in a single edition that can be sung by…