Past Articles

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…

The Value of ACDA Conferences to the Young Music Major by Erin Kurtz ACDA-MI Student Representative (Undergraduate) This past October I attended my first ACDA Conference at Western Michigan University as a sophomore music major. Being inexperienced in the choir world outside of my high school and college, I did not know exactly what to…

Michigan Male Chorus Network by Matthew Packer ACDA-Michigan Male Chorus R&R Chair “Those who wish to sing always find a song.” ― Swedish Proverb I write this having recently returned from Western Michigan University and the 2017 Fall Conference of the Michigan Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.  There was much singing and songs to be…

Sing for Justice at EMU by Liza Calisesi Maidens ACDA-MIchigan Women’s Choirs R&R Chair Greetings, Michigan Choral Musicians! My name is Liza Calisesi Maidens and I am new to the Board as of August 2017. I served as Concerts Chair this past fall at the ACDA-MI Conference and was pleased to get to know many…

My ACDA Moments by Jed Scott, ACDA-Michigan Webmaster/Editor I was not a music education or conducting student as an undergraduate or in graduate school. At Western Michigan University, I effectively majored in Gold Company; my masters degree is in Studio Jazz Writing. It wasn’t until my professional organization, the International Association for Jazz Education, went bankrupt that I…

ACDA-MI congratulates the following outstanding ensembles selected via blind listening panel to perform at the ACDA-MI Fall Conference on Oct. 27-28. Canticum Novum (Northwestern Michigan College) – Jeffrey Cobb, Conductor Cantus Femina (Western Michigan University) – Dee Gauthier, Conductor 8th Grade Choir (Grosse Pointe Brownell MS) – Carolyn Gross, Conductor Lyon Singers (South Lyon HS) – Andrew Hathikhanavala, Conductor…

by Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams Western Michigan University ACDA-MI Student Activities Chair   Take Charge Now! Tips to prepare for the “real world” while still a student “Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson after.” – Vern Law (1) The first year of teaching is considered the most difficult…

Dr. Bradley Bloom was a valued member of the Michigan choral community and a longtime ACDA-Michigan Board Member. We are sorry to hear of his passing. Dr. Bradley Bloom, legendary choral conductor and teacher, passed away June 6, 2016, in Bellingham, Washington. He was surrounded by his family during his final week in hospice after…

by Jessica Allen ACDA-MI Student Representative (Graduate-Level) This past summer I had the opportunity to teach a summer session at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for the first time. For approximately two weeks in August I was responsible for a junior high select choir and two staff ensembles comprised of college-age counselors. The rehearsal time…