In just a couple of days, people around the world will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday honoring the patronsaintofIreland.WhatstartedasareligiousfeasthasgrownintoaglobalcelebrationofIrishculture, completewithparades,greenclothing,shamrocks,andeventhebeliefin“theluckoftheIrish”
The phrase “luck of the Irish” is often used to describe good fortune. Hard work can create opportunities andwhenwearegiventhoseopportunities,somemightsayitisluck.Ibelievethatthemoreworkyouput in,themoreopportunitiesyoucreateforyourself Strugglesandfailuresarepartofanyjourney,butthose who are dedicated learn from setbacks, grow stronger, and keep moving forward. Achievements gained throughhardworkbringasenseoffulfillmentandpride.Hardworkanddedicationputyouincontrolof yourfuture,whileluckleavesittochance.Byputtingineffort,stayingdisciplined,andpersistingthrough challenges,youcreateyourownsuccessratherthanhopingforittohappen
St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a holiday about luck it’s a celebration of heritage, resilience, and joy. Whether you ’ re Irish or not, the day serves as a reminder to appreciate both the fortune we have and the effortweputintoachievingourgoals.So,wearyourgreen,raiseaglass,andremember:hardworkiswhat trulymakesthemagichappen.
colleagues for inspiration Whether at conferences, through professional discussions, reading articles, attendingconcerts,orparticipatinginreadingsessions,Ihavegatheredvaluableinsightsthathaveproven beneficialovertheyears.Iwouldlovetosharesomeofthesestrategieswithyou.
BalancingTraditionandInnovation
Many of my colleagues are gifted composers, and I encourage reaching out to commission or program worksbycontemporaryartists.However,itisequallyimportanttomaintainaconnectiontothetraditional canon Our students should have the opportunity to engage with the works of Ockeghem, Monteverdi, Bach,andMendelssohnensuringawell-roundedmusicaleducation
ChallengingYetAttainableRepertoire
Repertoire selection should strike a balance between challenge and accessibility. While students should have pieces that push their technical and artistic limits, they should also experience a sense of accomplishmentattheendofeachrehearsal Thoughtfulprogrammingcanhelpmaintainmotivationand fostergrowth
EncouragingStudentInput
When planning a theme-based program, I have found it valuable to invite students to contribute by suggesting a piece or even proposing theme ideas. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and engagementamongperformers
EmphasizingVariety
A successful program thrives on diversity. Avoid an overabundance of any one style or element if one piece is accompanied, follow it with an a cappella selection. Strive for variety in timbre, language, tempo, andkeytocreateamoreengaginganddynamicconcertexperience.
R&R
InterdisciplinaryCollaboration
2-YearCollege Continued
Incorporating other disciplines into concert programming can enrich the experience for both performers and audiences. Collaborating with departments such as English, history, or theater can add depth to a performance.Forexample,theEnglishdepartmentcouldprovidedramaticreadingsofShakespeareantexts to complement choral works like Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare by George Shearing or Two ShakespeareSongsbyStephenSmith.
SelectingMeaningfulRepertoire
Musichasthepowertosparkdialogueandintrospection.Choosingrepertoirethatexploresthemesoflife, love, and the human experience can provide students with valuable perspectives and opportunities for discussion,ultimatelybroadeningtheirworldview.
In crafting a well-balanced concert program, it is essential to blend tradition with innovation, challenge with attainability, and variety with cohesion. Engaging students through input and interdisciplinary collaboration enriches their experience, while meaningful repertoire fosters deeper connections to music and the world around them. By thoughtfully considering these elements, we can create programs that inspire,educate,andleavealastingimpactonbothperformersandaudiences.
R&R
HelloSWACDAFriends.
CommunityChoir Resource
Collaboration:Everyonewins!
The 2025-2026 season marks the 50th Anniversary for the chorus I have the privilege of conducting In planning for this momentous occasion, we have had a lot of conversation around collaboration While we certainly won't do all of these suggestions, I wanted to share some ideas with you. These would be appropriateforANYTIMEofyourseason!Butespeciallyduringatimeofcelebration.
Team up with other area singers in a joint choir concert or festival. All ages welcome! One of my favorite concertswaswhenwepartneredwithalocalchildren'schoir.
You don't need to hire a full orchestra to have an impactful instrumental moment. Some of my favorite pieceshaveSTUNNINGinstrumentalsoloparts.Perhapsyoucouldfeatureatalentedhighschoolstudent who was chosen for all state band or orchestra Or reach out to your local symphony orchestra to see if someonewouldliketoplayforyou.
Universities are often looking for performance opportunities for their students We once presented a concert with a phenomenal university string quartet. They accompanied us on a couple of songs and we featuredafewsolospotsforthem.
you so feel free to reach out. To make it even more special, bring the composer in for the premiere performance!Theycouldevenconductsomeoftheirsongs,offeramasterclassand,iftheyareamusician or singer, perform on the concert with you. "Composer weekend" type events are always fun, even if you don't do a commission. Singers love to hear stories from the source! Most composers LOVE this sort of thing!
I hope this gave you a few ideas for collaborations. An important note would be to make sure you are havingconversationsaboutcompensatingthemifyouareaskingthemtodowork.Formany,thisistheir profession BUTmanypeoplewouldbeopentocollaborationswhereyourgroupcouldoffersomethingto them as well. Typically, a mutually beneficial arrangement works so that each entity has the opportunity tosharetheirperformancewithnewaudiences.
It’s easy to feel discouraged as a teacher. It seems that wherever you turn, someone else’s program is outperforming yours. And now with social media highlight reels, we can peek into someone ’ s classroom and see the incrediblethingsotherteachersaredoingthatwearenot.
I myself am guilty of posting all the best things happening in our most advanced classes on our choir’s socialmediaaccounts.I’malsoguiltyoffeelinginadequatecomparedtootherprogramswithhundredsof singers while I’ve been struggling to grow my program. Our students also don’t always think to express theirgratitudeforwhatwedoforthem,anditcansometimesfeellikewearetrudgingthroughtheslogof rehearsingforournextconcertwithboredordistractedsingerswhodon’twanttobethere.
What I often fail to remember when I feel inadequate is that there we only ever see a fraction of the picture. Highlight reels on social media don’t show all the mundane and difficult moments in the classroom. Every teacher has struggles, even the ones that seem to be outperforming and outpacing you. And our students feel so many more emotions than they let on. You may think your smile and high-five when they enter the room is just perfunctory, but the seeds you plant into students’ lives can grow deep rootsofwhichtheyarenotevenfullyaware.
ItseemsthatwhenI’matmylowest,IgetsmallremindersthatwhatIdomatters.PartofthefinalIgiveto mystudentsisforthemtowritealetterofgratitudetoateacherorcoachinthedistrictthathasimpacted them. I never intend for students to write me a letter, but some choose to. And their words constantly surpriseme,becausetheyarewordsIwouldprobablyneverhearfromtheirlips:
“This class feels like a family because you create a fun environment where we all get to know each other andsupporteachother,andIknowthatyoucareaboutme.”
These students may not be in the biggest or best choir program, but they’re in MY program. And I get to cultivatethekindofexperiencetheyhaveinmyroom.Oneofhardwork,yes-butalsooneofintentional vulnerability, honesty, and love. You have the opportunity to cultivate these things in your classroom if yourememberthatteachingmusicisalwayssecondarytomakingyourstudentsfeelloved.Sogiveahead andstandbythedoorastheywalkin,givingouthigh-fivesandaskingstudentshowtheirweekisgoingitmayseemlikenothing,buttoyourstudents,itcanbetheloveandcaretheycarrywiththemfortherest oftheirlives.
StateoftheState-Missouri KevinMcBeth,President
Great things are happening for the state of Missouri and with the Missouri Choral Directors Association! In this post-pandemic era, colleagues are reporting that choral programs are flourishing, and singers have returned with a newfound enthusiasm and awareness. In some parts of our state, community choirs are especially vibrant, andsingersarecommittedtothechoralartlikeneverbefore.
With MCDA, we continue to find new ways to connect with our membership! We strive to engage with themovertheentirecourseoftheyearandnotjustduringoursummerconferences.
As I conclude my presidency in a few months, I marvel at the accomplishments and the work we have doneduringthistenure:
MCDA is supported by one of the most gifted Executive Boards and Resource Teams in the country. Serving alongside these dedicated individuals has been a real joy for me. They represent the best in our stateandarealwaysworkingtohelpusfunctionbetter.Eventhehardworkofwritingnewprotocolsand guidelinestomanageourstateanddistricteventshappenseasilyandwithgreatthought.
Our summer conference held each year in Springfield, Missouri, offers a wide and extensive menu of interest and reading sessions. Clinicians from around the country are excited to spend some time in Missouri,andourconferencecontinuestodrawfromnationalleadershipofACDA!Ourheadlinerclinicians have the opportunity to work with one of our 7 excellent Honor Choirs, covering ages from elementary throughadult,promotinglifelongsinginginourstate
SupportedbyseveralareachurchesandthechoraldepartmentatMissouriStateUniversity,wehavetopquality facilities and performance venues for our conference that give our singers the best possible experience and memories that they take with them. We continue to have a great relationship with our sisterorganization,theMissouriMusicEducatorsAssociation,andaredeepeningoureffortstoelevatethe choral art. As an affiliate organization, we join with our instrumental colleagues for a conference that is just as much a family reunion, as it is an In-Service Workshop and Conference. We are fortunate to have greatcomraderyandcollaboration.
Finally, serving as President of MCDA is one of my greatest joys and I’m honored to lead an organization thathasgivensomuchtomeasachoraldirector!
at the National Conference Thursday, March 20, 2025
