House Jacks. The Board has put together a truly inspiring and amazing convention for you, the members. While funding may be cut from your budgets to attend, consider investing in TCDA as a family vacation. Childcare is provided for members, and family badges can be obtained at a nominal rate. See you in San Antonio!
Announcement of New TCDA Executive Director
The TCDA Board announces the hiring of Sharon Lutz as our new Executive Director. Sharon will be in the office beginning June 1 assisting Dan and Jeanne with all of the final Convention preparations, and will assume all duties on August 1. She will assist with this year’s Conven-
tion, and we invite you to give her a big Texas welcome at the office in Austin this summer or in San Antonio. Sharon brings with her extensive skills in collaboration, planning, finance, and marketing from University of Texas and the University of Houston. A complete article and bio on Sharon will be forthcoming in the fall edition of Texas Sings! √
PERFORMING GROUPS
Schola Cantorum
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chola Cantorum of Texas is the premier volunteer choral organization in Tarrant County, and operates as a self-governing 501(c)(3) arts organization. In its nearly five decades of performances, the chorus has consistently delivered programs of musical excellence, covering all periods of standard choral music repertoire. Schola has presented over 400 concerts since it’s beginning in 1962. Under the baton of Beverly “Bev” Henson, then at TCU, the group drew singers from around the Metroplex whose motivation was, he said, “a genuine love of singing and a desire to perform the best in traditional choral music”. Continuing that tradition under Dr Gary Ebensberger of the University of Texas at Arlington, beginning in 1975 the chorus expanded its repertoire and reach during his 25 year tenure. Schola performs regularly throughout Tarrant County and the Metroplex. Over the years, Schola Cantorum has
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performed in cities across the United States and Europe. In its first 47 years, Schola has had only four permanent conductors. That fact alone Jerry McCoy is the single largest contributor to the strength and stability of the chorus and the commitment of its singers to master and perform the best in choral literature. Dr Donald Bailey, of Baylor University, joined Schola for the 2001-2002 Concert Season. Dr Bailey elevated a long tradition of choral performance in the chorus. Under his influence the organization reached new heights of singing and listening delight for members and audiences alike. In 2008 Schola selected its fourth permanent conductor, Dr Jerry McCoy TEXAS√SINGS!
of the University of North Texas. Dr McCoy brings with him a long tradition of choral performance excellence, and is extending and expanding the capabilities of the chorus. Dr Jerry McCoy is in his third season as Music Director of Schola Cantorum of Texas. He is also Director of Choral Studies and Professor of Music at the University of North Texas, the nation’s largest college of music, where he conducts the A Cappella Choir, the North Texas Chamber Choir, and the Grand Chorus, teaches graduate choral conducting and advanced choral techniques, and guides the choral studies program consisting of nine performance choirs. He is national president of the ACDA, a member of the INTERKULTUR advisory board, and a member of the editorial board of the Choral Scholar. He is founder for six years was music director of the Texas Choral Artists, a professional chamber choir based in Dallas. Spring 2011