Take a Look!!
FromthePresident’sPen
R&RRepertoire
StateoftheState
MembershipMonthly
ItTakesaVillage
Albuquerque
TimeCapsule
Children’sandCommunityYouth -NathanWubbena
JuniorHigh/MiddleSchool -CristiMiller
SeniorHighSchool -SpencerWiley
4-YearCollegeandUniversity -RayvonTJMoore
SWACDABoard(2024-2026)
JonathanOwen,President
JoshuaOppenheim,President-elect
JeffreyMurdock,PastPresident
JeffWall,Treasurer
MargieCamp,ConferenceChair
2-YearCollegeandUniversity-TatianaTaylor
StudentActivity-JenniferSengin
CommunityChoirs-AndyWaggoner
MusicinWorship-BryanTaylor
VocalJazz-BethEnloeFritz
ShowChoir-MichaelShimp
WorldMusic&Cultures-EduardoGarcia-Novelli
Tenor/BassChoirs-ReginalWright
Soprano/AltoChoirs-TannerOglesby
FromthePresident’sPen
There’s an old saying: If you ’ re the smartest person in the room, you ’ re in the wrong room.This truth has never been more evident to me than in working alongside our conference committee members Their creativity, problem-solving skills, and sheer dedication leave me in constant awe Each one brings unique expertise whether in programming, logistics, hospitality, or communications and together they weave a conferenceexperiencethatisfargreaterthanthesumofitsparts.
Planningagatheringofthismagnitudeisn’tjustaboutmakinglistsandcheckingboxes.It’saseriesofR&R moments Review & Revise, Refresh & Recharge, Reflect & Refine. Our articles, resources, and planning sessions have been filled with these cycles, each one improving the vision we hold for this event. From brainstorminginnovativeinterestsessionstoensuringeveryattendeehasamemorableconcertexperience, everydetailisthoughtfullyconsidered.
I’m reminded daily that surrounding yourself with people smarter than yourself doesn’t diminish your value;itmultipliesyourimpact Whenyouworkwithindividualswhoseepossibilitiesyoucan’t,theypull youhigher,challengeyourthinking,andopendoorsyouneverknewexisted.
This year ’ s conference promises to be an inspiring blend of artistry, learning, and connection thanks to a team whose combined wisdom is shaping something truly remarkable. I hope you have enjoyed the opportunitytomeeteachofourconferencecommitteemembers.Wewillcontinuetomeettherestofthe teamoverthenextseveralmonths.Pleaseshareyourappreciationwiththemandbewillingtovolunteerto help out with future conferences As the countdown continues, I’m grateful to be in a room full of brilliance…andtoknowthattogether,we’rebuildinganeventthatwillleavealastingmark.Pleasejoinus inAlbuquerque!!
Best,
JonathanOwen SWACDAPresident
Beth Enloe Fritz Jazz R&R Chair
REFERENCEBOOKStostartyouryearandkeepyourgroupgoing:
VocalJazzStyle
KirbyShaw
Adailywarm-upbookforyourjazzensembleandanumberonereferencesuggestiontoanyteacher programmingjazz.
*SATBSinger'sEdition
1639269 SupplierID:08665581 UPC:073999655810
*Director'sScore
1639251 SupplierID:08665580 UPC:884088202903
*PerformanceCD
1639277 SupplierID:08665582 UPC:884088876821
TheCompleteGuidetoTeachingVocalJazz
SteveZegree
3295043 SupplierID:30/1737H
UPC:000308061598 ISBN:000308061598
TheVocalJazzEnsemble
ParisRutherford
10048926 SupplierID:08748002
UPC:884088211523
VocalImprovisation
MicheleWeir
5972548 SupplierID:01-ADV14100
UPC:805095141009
GoodTime
JameyAebersold
10054872 SupplierID:24-V123DS
UPC:635621001237
Jazz Continued
Swing
FindYourWay-JenniferBarnes jenniferbarnesmusic.com/find-your-way-level-4-satb
Moderateswing,digsin,greatlyrics
Difficultylevel4,SATB
LatinFeel
AloneTogether-GregJasperse https://www.alfred.com/alone-together/p/00-45513/
Aclassic,famouslyrecordedbymany
Difficultylevel3-4,SATB
Contemporary StopThisTrain-LaurenBydalek Kerrymarshvocaljazz
FromJohnMayer’scomposition,fully-notatedpianoandbassparts, drums
Difficultylevel3,SSATB
Ballad
WhereisLove-ParisRutherford
https://www.halleonard.com/product/103820/where-is-love
Acappella
Difficultylevel3-4,SATBB
Holiday
TheChristmasSong-KirbyShaw
https://www.halleonard.com/product-family/PC12869/the-christmas-song
Acappella
Difficultylevel2-3,SATB(SSAAalsoavailable)
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli
World Music & Cultures R&R Chair
TheJoiku(from“PrimitiveMusic”)
KukkaLinkola(Finishclassicalandjazzcomposerbornin1955)
Written originally for a cappella SSAA voices on nonsense syllables, including clapping and stomping, definitely a unique composition. Published by Sulasol. Here in an excellent video performedbyonly6singers.Duration:about2minutes.
https://wwwyoutubecom/watch?v=NSvjzg2mxfQ
Thereisalsoaversionformixedvoicesthathassubstantialdifferences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TTez N4kGY
CapelinhadeMelăo Arr.WillLopes
Brazilian folk song that celebrates St. John’s Day (June 24) – the edition has a translation and pronunciation guide of the Portuguese text. Good for developing SATB choirs with some rhythmicalchallengesandamodulationthroughwhichtonavigate.It’sfunanditiswellcrafted. PublishedbyHalLeonard.Duration:about2:25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmYNFZp1Obc&list=RDLmYNFZp1Obc&start radio=1
Ndawana
Arr MichaelBarrett
Traditional South African Song (from theVenda people, a Bantu ethnic group primarily located intheLimpopoprovinceofSouthAfrica,neartheborderwithZimbabwe).
Thetext:
Ifoundthechildrenplaying whilethebirdsweresinging bytheriver(mulambo)astheyresistedsleep
It is accompanied by traditional hand clapping and African drums.With layered lines, similar to a “ vamp ” section in the Gospel tradition, this work is fun and very accessible by most groups. SATB,durationunder2minutes.
World Music & Cultures
AisuBandaisan(TheVolcanoofAizuBandaizan)
Arr.HiroshiIshimaru
Japanese Folksong of Fukushima Prefecture, arguably one of the most well-known Japanese folksongs outside of Japan Written for SAA and piano, in Japanese, mostly homophonic, with somespokenparts.Duration:2minutes.PublishedbySulasol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4 picUxT60&ab channel=UkiOvaskainen-Topic
Blagoslovidušemojagospoda
DobriChristov(1875-1941),oneofthemajorcomposersofhisgeneration(Bulgaria)
Written in Church Slavonic. Text source: Psalm 103 from the liturgy of St. Ivan Zlatousta –Beatiful setting, lush, homophonic, emotional. Difficulty 2-3 out of 5. Published by Earthsongs. Duration:about2:20.
https://wwwyoutubecom/watch?v=YgvpCl5NKBY&list=RDYgvpCl5NKBY&start radio=1
STATEOFTHESTATE
Kansas
BrandonWade,President
WelcomefromtheSunflowerState!
TheKCDASummerConventionwasheldinpersonfromJuly9–11,2025,onthecampusoftheUniversityof Kansas.WearedeeplygratefultotheadministrationofLawrenceFreeStateHighSchoolandtheKUmusic faculty for their generous support in facilitating rehearsals and performances for our S/A, T/B, and Jazz HonorChoirs.
The Jazz Honor Choir our newest performance opportunity continues to grow in both size and audition participation.SpecialthankstoTarynGervaisforherunwaveringdedicationtothisensemble’ssuccess.
Lookingahead,I’mthrilledtoannounceour2026Headliners!
Dr. Brian Winnie (Western Illinois University) is an exceptional conductor with a specialty in contemporaryvocaltechniquesandtheirpracticalapplicationinthechoralclassroom.
KurtisHeinrich(PattonvilleMiddleSchool,St.Louis)iswidelyrecognizedforhisimpactfulwork with adolescent voices and sight-reading strategies his recent National Convention session was standing-roomonly!
We’realsoproudtorecognizeour2025StateAwardrecipients:
ThePreludeAward honoringchoraldirectorsintheirfirstfiveyearswhoshowexceptionalpromise wasawardedtoKylerComely,currentlyteachingatBuhlerHighSchool.
TheHarryRobertWilsonAward,presentedtoeducatorswhohavemadesignificantcontributionsto musiceducationandmentorship,wasawardedtoScottHay.Aretirededucator,Scotthassupervised 21 student teachers and currently chairs the KSHSAA PML Committee, which revises the State ApprovedMusicListeverytwoyears.
We extend sincere thanks to those who submitted nominations and offer heartfelt congratulations to our awardwinnersfortheircommitmentandleadership
As we look to the future, my strategic focus is on membership growth, particularly among future music educators and current elementary music educators two underrepresented groups we are committed to supportingmorefully.
Aswelooktothefuture,mystrategicfocusisonmembershipgrowth,particularlyamongfuturemusic educatorsandcurrentelementarymusiceducators twounderrepresentedgroupswearecommittedto supportingmorefully.
By engaging students early in their college experience, we believe we can foster lasting involvement in KCDA.
Dr.RayvonMooreandDr.MelissaGradywillleadourfirst-everCollegiateHonorChoirin2026 We’realsoofferingfreeKCDAConventionregistrationtorisingcollegiatesophomores,juniors,seniors, andrecentgraduateswhoholdanationalACDAmembership
In addition, we ’ re actively seeking feedback from elementary music educators to ensure we are meetingtheiruniqueneeds
A special thank-you goes to AlexUnderwood and MelissaGrady for their incredible work in relocating the convention from Topeka to Lawrence. Their professionalism and adaptability made this transition seamlessandcontributedsignificantlytotheconvention’ssuccess.
WeinviteSWACDAtojoinusfor“Untapped&Unleashed,”July8–10,2026 youwon’twanttomissit! Stayconnectedwithusthroughouttheyearatwww.kschoral.com.
Troy Robertson Collegiate Honor Choir Chair
Dr.TroyRobertson(b.1978)istheDirectorofChoirsandDepartmentHeadofPerformingArtsatTarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where he conducts University Singers, Texan Harmony, Texan Riders, and Chamber Choir. He is also the conductor of the Cross Timbers Civic Chorale, a community ensemble whose season includes collaboration with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. An active clinicianandadjudicator,Dr.RobertsonhasservedinfestivalsacrosstheUnitedStates.Dr.Robertsonisa composer whose works include “In Meeting We Are Blessed,” published by Hinshaw Music Company as part of the André J Thomas Choral Series and one of JW Pepper’s Editor’s Choice and Basic Library selections Dr RobertsonisthefounderofChorAmor,acoalitionofsingersandconductorsdedicatedtothe creationoffreeresourcesforchoir HeholdsdegreesfromFloridaStateUniversity(PhD),theUniversityof North Carolina at Greensboro (MM), and Furman University (BMEd) He is a lifetime member of ACDA and an active member of NCCO,TMEA, andTCDA He is married to Dr Stephanie Robertson The two of themmaketheirhomeinStephenville,Texas,withtheirson,Winton.
John McDonald Collegiate Honor Choir Co-Chair
John McDonald is a conductor, educator, and innovator in the choral arts. He is the Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies atWashington University in St. Louis and conducts Cantus, the tenor-bass ensemble of the St.LouisChildren’sChoirs.In2023,hefoundedContinuumVocalEnsemble,aprofessionalchoirdedicated topresentinginnovativerepertoireinunconventionalvenues.Underhisleadership,Continuumhasearned acclaim for its artistry and immersive performances in unique spaces like the 21c Museum Hotel and the St.LouisArtMuseum.
Arecognizedleaderinthechoralcommunity,JohnchairstheCommunicationandEducationCommitteefor the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and serves on the National Collegiate Choral Organization’s National Board. In 2023, he was one of six conductors selected for ACDA’s International Conductors Exchange Program with Germany. A sought-after guest conductor and clinician, he has led workshopsandmasterclassesacrosstheU.S.andEurope,inspiringfuturechoralmusicians.
JohnholdsdegreesfromtheUniversityofMissouri-KansasCityConservatory,EastCarolinaUniversity,and Middle Tennessee State University His work continues to shape the choral landscape through dynamic leadership,compellingprogramming,andacommitmenttofosteringartisticexcellence
