Past Articles

Dear ACDA-MI colleagues: We are saddened to learn of the passing of Milt Olsson, Professor Emeritus of Music at Michigan Tech.  Milt served ACDA-MI for many years on the board, including a term as President, and was a Maynard Klein Award winner in 2011.  The attached link describes his many contributions to musical life at…

Successful Strategies for Sixth Grade Singers Part 1 Thomas Blue Rochester Community Schools  With many teachers returning to in-person teaching, I would like to offer some strategies that have been successful as I have worked with sixth grade students through the years. Depending on the make-up or the structure of your classes (mixed or SA/TB),…

Cultural Dynamics and Choral Music in Bulgaria During the Communist Era, 1944-1989 The following account is a summary of my sabbatical research in Bulgaria in the fall of 2014. The information presented does not claim to thoroughly evaluate the cultural and political complexities that occurred during the totalitarian period from 1944 to 1989, but rather…

Dear Choral Colleagues, The National Sing Up Membership Campaign starts September 15 and will run through November 15, 2020. Our state is given 20 complimentary one-year memberships to use for recruitment purposes with the goal of retention and commitment after the complimentary membership expires. Traditionally, we would like to award the memberships to people who will be…

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…