Pack Your Bags! We are going to Las Vegas in
February! Congratulations! Our hard work paid off and the Symphonic
Chorus was chosen to represent the best of choral singing at the
Western Division ACDA Conference on Thursday,
February 26 at 10:00 am in Las Vegas. Not only are we
invited to sing, we are invited to Open the Convention!
This is a huge honor, a tremendous opportunity, and a gigantic
responsibility. Here are some pictures
of the church in which we're going to sing!
What is ACDA?
ACDA is the American Choral Director’s Association, the
largest organization of choral conductors in the world. They
hold
regional and national conventions on alternating years. Big
Chorus will be attending the Western Regional in Las Vegas
on Feb. 25-28,
2004. Cantiamo and Big Chorus last performed at Regional ACDA
in Pasadena about 8 years ago.
What’s so special about the ACDA conventions?
ACDA conventions are not like any other convention. They are really
fun because they consist of non-stop concerts all day for four
days by the best choirs in the region or in the nation! Choirs
get in through a rigorous audition process (on CD of course).
You get to hear great groups, meet composers, hear wonderful music,
including at least one masterwork with orchestra, and of course
in between concerts there are choral reading sessions where you
get a packet of music and sing through about 30 pieces in an hour
or two – with a bunch of choral conductors! Most conventions
include at least one world premiere by a contemporary composer,
like Morten Lauridsen or Eric Whitacre. There are also great exhibits
with lots of music and music paraphernalia that’s fun to
look at and buy. And fabulous CDs by the groups you hear!
Who attends the convention?
Choral directors and conducting students from the whole Western
region attend, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and
Hawaii. Singers come too, from children’s choirs, high school
and college choirs, community choirs, church choirs, and even
professional and international choirs.
What does it mean to “open the convention”?
The most prestigious spot in the ACDA convention is in the opening
concert, because everyone who is anyone attends it! To open the
first concert is a great honor for us!
How will we prepare to sing at ACDA?
First of all, we’ll work hard to learn the music, and we
should expect to memorize it. Cheryl will say more about what
we will sing. The format of the concerts is that each group has
25 minutes to perform, no more, no less. Secondly, we will be
as professional as possible in demeanor, dress, etc. so that we
all look great on stage. This is a fancy production, and we will
shine!
What should our goals as a group be for this event?
Our goals should be that as many of us as possible attend and
participate in this fabulous event, and not just in the performance,
but in the reading sessions and other concert sessions as well.
This is an opportunity to experience the larger choral world,
of which we are a part, and to learn new skills and have new and
exciting choral experiences. Some of us attend ACDA every year
with Cheryl, because it is so fun and inspiring, and to hear new
and lovely music. ACDA changes our lives and makes us more committed
to singing with our whole hearts every day. You’ll love
it!
How can I find out more about ACDA?
ACDA has a Web site and
a monthly magazine, Choral Journal. Ask Cheryl or Dinah or Gail
to borrow a copy. As a student, you can become a student member
of ACDA for $20, and it will be one of the unexpected pleasures
of your life if you do.
How much will this cost?
The convention is about $50 per person for students, which all
of you are. We will find the cheapest flights and accommodations
possible so that all of us can attend. The Chorus Steering Committee
may also make some scholarships available.
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