As we move deeper into the season, I find myself reflecting on the quiet but powerful rhythm of growth thatsurroundsus.Whetherit’sintheworkwedo,therelationshipswebuild,orthegoalsweset,thistime ofyearinvitesustotakestockofwherewe’vebeenandwherewe’reheadednext.
Many of you are working with students, both individually and collectively, to prepare for even more contestsandfestivals Springishere,butSummeriscoming!
Some of you may have students eagerly awaiting your letters of reference for their future endeavors, and youmayhavemanytowritebeforethedeadlinehappens.Springishere,butSummeriscoming!
You’ve had the auditions and placed the students in the choir that is their perfect fit. Sometimes they realizeandappreciatethat,andsometimestheydon’t Springishere,butSummeriscoming!
Your college students are just about done with the year and you are feeling overwhelmed with final performances,finalsandtheendofsemesterpressures Springishere,butSummeriscoming!!
Springalwaysarriveswithasurgeofconcerts,deadlines,travel,andthesteadyhumofcommitmentsthat seem to multiply overnight. It’s a season that demands endurance, focus, and just enough grit to carry everythingacrossthefinishline.
But woven into the long days and late nights is a quiet promise: Summer is coming!The pace will soften Thecalendarwillopen.Therewillbespaceagaintorest,toreflect,tobreathe.Sowepushthrough,notjust togetitdone,butwiththeknowledgethatsomethinglighterwaitsontheotherside.
Blessings
State of the State
Arkansas
M.NicholasFarr,President
Colleaguesandfriends, Itisaprivilegetostandbeforeyouandsharethecurrentstateandforwardmomentumofourorganization, nowproudlyknownasACDAArkansas.Thisyear,wemadetheintentionaldecisiontotransitionfromAR ACDAtoACDAArkansas.Whileitmayseemlikeasmallshift,thischangebringsgreaterclaritytowhowe are and helps distinguish our work from other choral organizations across the state. More importantly, it reflectsarenewedcommitmenttostrengtheningouridentityandourimpact.
Thispastfall,wesuccessfullyhostedourannualAll-StateSymposium,aneventthatcontinuestogrowin both quality and reach. It served as a powerful reminder of the depth of talent across Arkansas and the importanceofcreatingspaceswheredirectorsandstudentsalikecanlearn,connect,andbeinspired.
Now, we turn our attention toward one of the most exciting developments of the year: our upcoming summer conference For the first time, we will gather in downtown Little Rock at the historic Robinson Center This move represents more than just a change in venue, it signals growth, visibility, and a commitmenttoelevatingtheexperienceweprovideforourmembers
We are especially honored to welcome Dr Morgan Luttig from the University of Alabama as our keynote speaker, alongside an outstanding lineup of clinicians who will lead our honor choirs.Their expertise will challengeandinspireus,whilereinforcingthehighstandardswestrivetoupholdaschoraleducators.
This year, we are also expanding our offerings in meaningful ways. We will introduce a Conducting Symposium designed specifically for college students, investing directly in the next generation of choral directors,andleaders.Inaddition,wearecreatingopportunitiesforguesthonorchoirstoperform,further broadeningparticipationandcelebratingexcellencefromacrossourstate.
Behindthescenes,theboardhasbeendeeplyengagedinstrengtheningthesupportsystemsthatserveour state directors. From developing new resources to fostering stronger collaboration between directors and leadership,thisworkisintentionalandongoing.
Beyond our Summer Conference, we are already building additional opportunities for the coming year Opportunitiesdesignedtoconnect,equip,andelevatechoralprogramsacrossArkansas
The work of ACDA Arkansas is growing, and it is growing because of the work and dedication of each of ourmembers Theirdedicationtostudents,theircraft,andthisprofessioncontinuestoshapethefutureof choralmusicinourstate.
Staytuned,thereismuchmoreahead.
HighSchoolSATB
SpencerWiley,R&RChair
LoveisMyCryForever
•PatrickVu
•Self-publishedbyPatrickVu
•SAB,accompanied
With lyrics derived from poetry by Sara Teasdale, Love is My Cry Forever is a beautiful piece with a memorable melodythatyourensemblewilllove.Initiallypresentedinunison,themelodyislaterpassedbetweeneach section in canon. The piano accompaniment provides a beautiful harmonic foundation that supports the choirusingflowing,arpeggiatedchordsthroughouttheentirepiece.ScoredforSAB,thissongisperfectfor developingmixedensemblesinhighschooloranadvancedjuniorhighschoolchoir.
Dance is a rhythmic “tour de force” that is the perfect closer or opener for your next concert. With a combination of non-sense syllables, homophonic vocal lines, body percussion, and a cluster chord section, thispiecehasitall Thesongculminateswithasteproutinethatisalsonotatedinthescore Thoughitis scored for SATB, it is also available for SA, SSA, and TTB, making it accessible for all levels of singers in your program If you ’ re looking for a piece to energize your students and entertain your audience, look no further!
https://www.jwpepper.com/dance-11503184/p
Ngothando
•MbusoNdlovu
•WaltonMusic
•SATB,acappella
ScoredforSATB,thisisanaccessiblehomophonicpiecewritteninisiZulu.Itcentersaroundthesubjectof unity, working together to accomplish a common goal, and being fearless in the face of adversity. The percussion accompaniment provides a relaxed, yet rhythmic drive that is juxtaposed with the legato rise and fall of the melodic line provided by the choir. This title is also available for SSAA. With a stirring spokenwordsectionthatcanbeincorporatedintheintroductionofpiece,theinspirationalmessageofthe piecewillresonatewithyoursingersandaudiencemembers.
https://wwwjwpeppercom/ngothando-10994193/p
I’mOnMyWay
•Arr AnthonyTrecek-King
•WaltonMusic
•SATB,accompanied
The melody of this piece comes from Mahalia Jackson’s live performance of the song at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958. Though the song is a spiritual, the accompaniment utilizes Afro-Cuban rhythms that provide an innovative interpretation of the traditional melody. In addition to the piano line, an optional part for an upright bass and drum set is highly recommended for a more authentic performance of the piece. This song is scored for SATB but is also available in SA and SSA. Both you and your singers will absolutelylovethisAnthonyTrecek-Kingarrangement!
ThisarrangementofJoshuaFittheBattleisarenditionofthetraditionalmelodythatinfuseselementsof jazz and blues that create an exciting piece scored for advanced high school and collegiate ensembles Throughoutthepiece,eachvoicepartgetsanopportunitytopresentvariationsofthemainmelodyasthe song travels through several different tempos and meter changes The song begins and ends with a descending,rhythmicmotifthatsymbolizesthewallsofJericho“tumblingdown”Thisischallengingpiece thatwillbethehighlightofyournextconcert.
With the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, I wanted to share a few pieces that might support your programming efforts. There are many wonderful voices and works to explore! If you’dlikeadditionalsuggestions,feelfreetoreachouttomeatrayvon moore@friends.edu
IHearAmericaSinging–AndreJ.Thomas
HeritageMusicPress
SATB,SSA,TBw/piano/opt.orchestraorwindensemble
This piece a great piece with a nice groove from start to finish. Thomas incorporates the spiritual Walk Together, Children as well, which promotes unity and encouraging people to stay together, keep faith, and continuethejourneytowardabetterfuture Thisworkswellasacloser,andtheaudiencewillloveit!
AlwaysSingingisatenderandupliftingchoralpiecethatbeautifullyreflectsthelifelongjoyanddevotion tomusic.Thechordsaresojuicy,folks!WrittenbyoneofAmerica’smostrespectedchoralconductorsand composers, the work celebrates the human spirit’s enduring connection to song.This is an awesome short two-page piece that is filled with loads of things to work on: balance, rubato, dynamic contrast, focused vibrato…younameit.Withitswarmharmonies,flowinglines,andsubtledynamicshaping,AlwaysSinging evokesbothgratitudeandserenity.Oneofmyfavorites!
Gorgeous piece that is accessible The title translates to “Let nothing disturb you, ” reflecting the text’s message of inner peace and trust in divine constancy. Szymko’s composition blends lyrical melodic lines with lush harmonies and a meditative atmosphere, emphasizing the spiritual serenity and resilience conveyed by the text. The accompanying cello first imitates the strumming of a guitar, then shifts to a lyricalcounterpointthatheightensthedramaofthevoices.Perfectpiecetoworkonartistryandphrasing!
https://sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=334
4-YearCollege/University
Repertoire
TheHymn–StaceyV.Gibbs GentryPublications
SATB,acappellaw/snaredrum
StaceyV.Gibbs’sTheHymnisapowerfulandsoulfulchoralarrangementthatblendstraditionalspiritual elements with rich contemporary harmonies.The piece combines American patriotic hymns: My Country Tis ofThee, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Lift EveryVoice and Sing. And the way Gibbs sets them is with rhythmic vitality, expressive phrasing, and a deep sense of reverence. The 12/8 rhythmic pulse is supported by a single snare drum. Programming idea: I might juxtapose this with the well-known arrangementofBattleHymnoftheRepublicbyPeterJ.Wilhousky.
I have always loved this piece and it is often one that I revisit from time to time Known as the “Dean of BlackWomen Composers,” Moore captures the essence of spiritual yearning an earnest, almost physical reachingtowardthedivine Itstartswithabeautifulintimateunisonsopranomelodythatislikerecitative and ends with the full choir striving towards the final chord.This is a great piece if you want to work on dynamic and tempo contrast with your ensemble. Programming idea: This piece works well no matter whereyouplaceitintheprogram.I’vedoneitatbeginning,alsoattheend,howeverIhaveusuallyplacedit right before another piece and gone directly from this piece to the other without applause and it works extremely well.The first time I did this I programmed Striving After God right before Bach’s Lobet Denn Herrn.
