3 minute read
From the President & CEO
Inspiring Gatherings and Expanding Partnerships Returning to travel brings opportunities for building relationships—including one that has led to a partnership and a new program.
As the pandemic has eased, it’s been exciting to return to traveling and meeting with Chorus America’s members and friends, as well as colleagues from peer organizations. The trips have done far more than feed my extrovert soul; they’ve been opportunities for rich discussions on rebuilding and expanding choral music audiences, leveraging the performing arts to help strengthen our democracy, and becoming better allies to communities marginalized by race. Most of these trips also included attending inspiring performances that expanded my awareness and understanding of critical societal issues and introduced me to fascinating BIPOC artists. I have been moved and heartened to witness commitment to meaningful action towards creating a more equitable, accessible, and inclusive performing arts ecosystem.
One of my first events when I began venturing out into the world for Chorus America this spring was the Bent, But Not Broken conference at the Choir School of Delaware. The goal of this extraordinary gathering was to amplify the contributions and accomplishments of Black composers and musicians, and I believe it far surpassed this goal. It was a profound experience, and I came away with a deeper understanding of the work and perspectives of these artists and of what it means for the choral field to become truly inclusive.
The conference organizers created a welcoming and brave space for discussion and learning. Renowned Black choral artists, educators, and scholars shared research and insights on the contributions of Black composers, the meaning and authentic presentation of gospel and spirituals, and leading inspiring choral concerts. From that important foundation came invaluable opportunities for dialogue about the inclusion of Black artists and the music of the Black diaspora more broadly from the classroom to the stage—and please, not only as the “closer”! Concerts brought these learnings
from the president & ceo to life, including performances by EXIGENCE, the Choir School, St. Thomas Gospel Choir, the American Spiritual Ensemble, and a powerhouse Honor Choir led by Alysia Lee and Maria Ellis. Along with my friend Robyn Hilger, executive director of ACDA, I was honored to participate in a conversation session with attendees about how Chorus America and ACDA can help propel lasting and widespread change for a more inclusive choral field. And as a life-long singer, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to be part of the “Immersion Gospel Choir,” led by the inimitable Dr. Brandon Waddles. Being part of learning and singing this music I’ve long admired, surrounded by experienced Gospel singers, had me walking on air for hours afterward. An even longer lasting outcome than my post-singing buzz has been getting to know Arreon Harley-Emerson, the director of the Choir School of Delaware and the founder of the Bent, But Not Broken conference. This outcome has a tangible impact for Chorus America and our members as well: We are thrilled that Arreon is now partnering with us to develop the Choral Executive Leadership Academy. This new program is designed to create executive career pathways for early-to-mid career choral leaders who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Arreon is a leading voice in the work towards equity, diversity, and inclusion, not just in the choral field, but in arts and culture more broadly. I hope you’ll check out his interview with our director of programs and member services Christie McKinney (p. 21) to learn more about his career trajectory and the Leadership Academy. In this interview, Arreon makes the case that lasting and widespread change in the choral field requires inclusive practices throughout our ecosystem—including in the administration of our organizations. I couldn’t agree more. It’s clear from our work that choruses know diverse leaders bring the diverse perspectives and experiences that are needed to serve communities more broadly and better. It’s also clear that BIPOC leaders and staff are still significantly underrepresented at most choral organizations in our membership. Chorus America’s “sweet spot” has always been our focus on chorus management, and I am excited to bring this expertise to our partnership with Arreon and our shared goal of changing this trajectory. The Choral Executive Leadership Academy will launch in summer 2023, featuring a learning cohort meeting both in-person and online, mentorships, and a personal professional development plan for each attendee. It’s a privilege to be working with leaders like Arreon—and all of you—to more deeply embed ADEI into the choral field.
Catherine Dehoney President & CEO, Chorus America
