News from the California Choral Directors Association

News from the California

Choral Directors Association

by Dr. Christopher Peterson,

CCDA President

As I write this, I am so grateful that we have been able to sing and make music together for much of this school year. If you are an ensemble director like me, I am sure you found Zoom teaching to be wholly necessary but unsustainable in the long term. In the words of Barry Manilow, it “looks like we made it!” One of the many signs that we have indeed turned a corner was the wonderful CASMEC Conference in Fresno last February. Our interest sessions, invited concerts, the Choral Leadership Academy, catching up with friends across the state, and the All-State ensembles were a joy to experience. I know that I will never take in-person music making for granted ever again. Many thanks to all the organizations that came together to make CASMEC an in-person success.

The CCDA Board of Directors and staff members remain committed to championing policies and practices of equity that empower just, inclusive, and equitable communities. Toward these ends we have started reviewing our organization’s bylaws to examine how they can be updated and improved concerning DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access) as well as gender issues. We are also continuing our work to commission new works of music, provide our constituency with increased opportunities for professional development and lifelong learning through our Vision for the Future Scholarship Fund, and many other activities that advance our mission to create transformative experiences for California’s diverse communities.

This summer we will return to holding our annual summer Conference/Retreat at ECCO (Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst) from July 31st to August 3rd, 2022. Our theme will be

“Celebrating the richness of our diverse choral communities” with sessions that will be valuable resources for our attendees as we rebuild our ensembles, sing in person again, and continue to develop inclusion, access, and diversity in all levels of our ensembles. Our first of two headliners will be Dr. Judy Bowers, renowned choral music educator and Professor Emerita in the College of Music at Florida State University. She has trained and mentored countless music educators across our nation and is one of the leading music educators of our generation. Our second headliner is Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Assistant Professor of Music at St. Olaf College. Tesfa has been sharing joy and a vision for equity and justice through song for many years. Through a triumvirate of teaching, conducting, and performing, he has found a way to transform both students and audiences and to reach those seeking resolutions of peace, equality, and respect … through music. More information about all our conferences, honor choirs, and events can be found at our website: www.calcda.org.

May you have a great end of your school year, a wonderful summer break, and a fabulous fall making music with your students.