August 15, 2026
Vol. 3 . 2
A publication of the Southwestern Region of the American Choral Directors Association
arkansas /colorado / kansas / missouri new mexico / oklahoma / texas 1
Vol. 3.2 · August 15, 2026 SWACDA BOARD (2026– 2028) Joshua Oppenheim, President Erin Plisco, President-elect Jonathan Owen, Past President Ron Wallace, Treasurer
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From the President’s Desk
Margie Camp, Conference Chair
Change is in the Air—Joshua Oppenheim
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Voices from the Region Dr. Jerry McCoy
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Voices from the Region
STATE PRESIDENTS (2025–2027) Nick Farr, Arkansas Julia Dale, Colorado
Submit a suggestion for our next spotlight member
Brandon Wade, Kansas
R&R Insights & Ideas
Christy Elsea, Missouri
“August: The Power of the First Few Weeks”—Nyadia Thorpe, Junior High/Middle School R&R Chair
Emery Edwards, New Mexico
R&R Repertoire Suggestions
Leigh Ann McClure, Texas
Karsten Longhurst, Oklahoma
Christy Shinn - SATB R&R Chair
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R&R Repertoire Suggestions Kristina MacMullen - SSA R&R Chair
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Membership Monthly Kathy Baht - Welcome Our New SWACDA Members
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New Voices in SWACDA Get to know our newest members
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ACDA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2025– 2027) Edith Copley, President Pearl Shangkuan, Vice President Jessica Napolis, President-elect David Fryling, Past President
Deadlines at a Glance
Tom Merrill, Treasurer/Secretary
Every date worth circling, region-wide
Robyn Hilger, Executive Director
In Memoriam Honoring the colleagues we’ve lost - Gary Packwood
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Connect with SWACDA Find us everywhere you listen and scroll
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Be Our Guest Share your story with SWACDA
SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTION · August 2026
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From the President’s Desk
SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTION
A NOTE FROM JOSHUA
Change is in the air Joshua Oppenheim, SWACDA President
Hello SWACDA Friends! I love change. Actually, I adore it. For whatever reason, emotional, chemical, or something I can't quite name, I embrace it. Whether it's the natural rhythm of life that has its own tides, or change I have to generate myself, I think my penchant for change is tied to my passion for growth. Often the easiest (best?) time to grow works best with the moments of change. For those of us working in the education cycle, or with family in it, fall usually means change. New and changing faces, new opportunities and challenges, a chance to set new patterns. Out with the old, in with the new. Keeping "the baby," of course, where it makes sense.
Maybe it's something you've been circling for years. A new concept or teaching technique. A genre or piece of repertoire that's been sitting just on the fringe for you. Something you picked up from a friend, a colleague, or at a conference. Now is the perfect time to try something new. Now is the perfect time to grow. Follow the leaves. Change is in the air. See you soon!
Joshua
By the time you're reading this, most of us in that group have either just started a new chapter or we're about to. So here's my nudge: take a chance with it. Try something new, even if you're not sure how it'll turn out. Big or small, doesn't matter. Another chapter's always waiting.
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
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Voices from the Region
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Jerry McCoy Dr. Jerry McCoy is the author of Becoming the Choral Poet - Considerations and Techniques for the Advancing Conductor and Regents Professor of Music Emeritus for the University of North Texas, where between 2000 and 2015 he guided the choral studies program to national and international recognition. In addition to his work at UNT, he served on the faculties of Baylor University, Oklahoma State University -- where he developed and led the choral program to national and international recognition-the University of Arizona, and Nicholls State University. His civic and professional choir work includes having led the Fort Worth Chorale and Chamber Choir, the Texas Choral Artists (founder), and the Stillwater (OK) Chamber Singers (founder). He has won national awards from NCCO and ACDA, as well as state awards from OCDA and TCDA. He also won the Oklahoma State University Wise-DiggsBerry Award for Teaching in the Arts and the outstanding alumnus for the University of Texas at Arlington. In 2018, a recording of the UNT A Cappella Choir was used as the soundtrack for a short film that was adjudicated during Tropfest, Australia's foremost film competition. His latest award was an honorary Induction into the OSU chapter of Phi Beta Kappa’s national Academic Honor Society, in 2025. From 2007 to 2015 he was a member of the National Executive Committee for ACDA, serving as the organization’s national president from 2009 to 2011. Under his leadership, the ACDA reestablished its International Conductors Exchange Program, which affords vetted, rising American choral conductors opportunities to visit other internationally recognized choral music states across the globe while welcoming reciprocal conductors to the USA to gain an understanding of the American choral music scene VOICES FROM THE REGION
A region like ours is built one dedicated choral director at a time. Dr. McCoy sang and recorded with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers in New York City and throughout southern France, and with the Banff (Canada) Festival Chamber Choir led by world-renowned Swedish conductor Eric Ericson. His work and study have taken him to 19 countries for 54 events. His UNT A Cappella Choir was featured on the programs of the 9th Taipei (Taiwan) International Choral Festival and the 2nd Daejeon (South Korea) International Choral Festival. His OSU Chamber Choir was the featured, resident choir for the 2000 national meeting of the Association of British Choral Directors. He also served as headliner for the Korean Federation for Choral Music national conference and for several other international festivals, including three adjudication panels for the Interkultur Foundation World Choir Games. His choirs have given invited/vetted performances for 3 international conferences, 7 US national conferences, 7 regional ACDA conferences, and 10 state MEA conferences. 4
Voices from the Region
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT, CONTINUED
Jerry McCoy
Dr. McCoy has served as guest conductor, clinician, lecturer, recording coach, and/or adjudicator in 42 American states (over 345 events). And, over the course of his career, he has worked with 93 college and university choral singing and conducting programs in 114 events. His choirs have sung vetted/mainstage performances on the programs of 4 national ACDA conferences and for the national conferences of MENC, NCCO, and OAKE. He has also led vetted concerts and interest sessions for numerous regional and state professional organizations. His graduates have been named to faculty positions in choral music at 54 universities across the US and several also currently lead professional choirs in the
U.S. and South Korea. Choirs led by his students have appeared in vetted performances for national conferences of ACDA, NCCO, and the Boston Early Music Festival, plus numerous regional and state ACDA conferences. A large number of singers from his OSU and UNT choirs have become regular members of GRAMMYwinning professional chamber choirs, including Conspirare and Room Full of Teeth. Other of his graduates hold regular singing positions with professional choirs across the nation, including the first female solo singer in the history of the 'President’s Own' Marine Band. They also lead outstanding high school and church programs across the USA, and hold national, regional, and state leadership positions in choral organizations.
Every member of this region has a story worth telling. We can’t wait to share more soon.
VOICES FROM THE REGION
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Voices from the Region
NOMINATIONS OPEN
W E N E E D YO U R H E L P
Who Should We Feature Next? Every issue, Voices from the Region will spotlight a member of our SWACDA community whose story deserves to be told. And we need your help finding them. Maybe it’s the choir director who’s quietly shaped generations of singers in a small town nobody’s heard of. Maybe it’s a colleague who’s been doing extraordinary work behind the scenes for years without ever being asked to step into the spotlight. Maybe it’s someone
NOMINEE REQUIREMENTS Must be a current SWACDA member Must currently reside within the SWACDA region TO NOMINATE, SEND US Their name A bio of at least one paragraph — their story background, and the
whose passion for choral music has changed the way you
impact they’ve had
think about your own.
A photo
Whoever they are, we want to know about them. The more detail you send us, the better we can honor their story, so don’t hold back. This region is full of people doing remarkable things. Help us make sure they get the
Nominate someone Complete the Voices from the Region form →
recognition they deserve.
Every member of this region has a story worth telling.
VOICES FROM THE REGION
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R&R Insights & Ideas
REPERTOIRE · RESOURCES REFLECTION · RENEWAL
August: The Power of the First Few Weeks Nyadia Thorpe, Junior High/Middle School R&R Chair · nyadia.thorpe@lifeschools.net
The start of a new school year is one of my favorite times of the year. Fresh faces. Fresh music. Fresh possibilities. It's also one of the most nerve-wracking. This year marks my twentieth year serving students through school and church music ministries, and I can honestly say those first days still bring a mix of excitement and butterflies. Every August, I ask myself many of the same questions: Will my students buy in? Will they trust me? How will this year's personalities fit together? What can be done differently? If you've found yourself asking similar questions, you're in good company. For teachers and especially the middle school and junior high choir directors, the first few weeks carry incredible weight. They set the tone for everything that follows. Before students can sing with confidence, they need to feel safe. At an age when voices are quickly changing, and friend groups begin to shift, students will need you more than you may ever fully know. Before they can create beautiful harmony, they need to know they belong. Before they'll take musical risks, they need to trust both you and one another. Our job during those opening rehearsals isn't simply to teach notes and rhythms. It's to build a community where every student believes their voice matters. I have a wonderful mentor and
R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
friend who introduced me to the idea of every individual wearing an imaginary sign that reads, “Make me feel important.” We can do that, and choir directors are among the very best people on campus to make a significant difference in a child’s day and life through the joyful potential found within our classrooms. That culture is created through hundreds of small moments: Celebrate the student who finally sings out after whispering through the first rehearsal. Notice the singer who quietly helps a classmate find the correct measure. Applaud the courage it takes to volunteer for a short solo or answer a question. Recognize the section that listened well and improved together. Those victories may seem small in the moment, but they become the foundation of your choir's identity. Students begin to understand that effort is noticed, kindness is valued, and growth is worth celebrating. Middle school students are navigating tremendous change. Some arrive overflowing with confidence, while others desperately hope no one notices them. Many are still discovering who they are, and choir has the unique opportunity to become one of the safest places in their school day.
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R&R Insights & Ideas
NYADIA THORPE · CONTINUED
August: The Power of the First Few Weeks, continued
A few practices have consistently helped me establish a positive culture early in the year: Learn names quickly and use them often. Teach routines until they become habits. Laugh together every rehearsal. (My fave!) Balance high expectations and rigor with abundant encouragement and intentional moments for play. Give students meaningful leadership opportunities, even in small ways. Celebrate progress more frequently than perfection. When students know exactly what success looks like and believe you are cheering for them, they will often exceed your expectations. One lesson I've learned over the years is that relationships are not a distraction from musical excellence—they are the pathway to it. Choirs sing better when students feel known. They perform more confidently when they trust the people standing beside them. They work harder for directors who genuinely see them as individuals. So, as you prepare your classroom, organize folders, finalize seating charts, and select your first warm-ups, remember to plan for something
R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
even more important: moments that help students feel seen and valued, safe and appreciated. Years from now, most students won't remember every warm-up you used or every sight-reading exercise you taught. But they will remember how they felt when they walked into your rehearsal each day. They'll remember the teacher who believed in them before they believed in themselves. They'll remember the choir room that became a home away from home. That is the real power of the first few weeks. Whether this is your first year in the classroom or your twentieth, know that you are not alone. We are a community of educators who understand both the challenges and the incredible joy of this profession. Lean on your colleagues, share ideas generously, ask questions freely, and celebrate one another's successes. Here's to a year filled with growing musicians, confident leaders, joyful rehearsals, and voices that discover not only beautiful harmony but also their own unique purpose. Have a wonderful school year! nt
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R&R Repertoire Suggestions
REPERTOIRE · RESOURCES REFLECTION · RENEWAL
SATB Repertoire Christy Shinn, SATB Choirs R&R Chair · cshinn@jackson.k12.mo.us
Title of Piece: The Sun Never Says Composer: Dan Forrest Voicing: SATB divisi with Cello Publisher: The Music of Dan Forest Octavo Number: Pepper ID: 11371765 | Supplier ID: DF1015U | PC: 748769510155 Recording Link: The Sun Never Says Dan Forrest’s The Sun Never Says is a profoundly expressive SATB choral setting of a text by the Persian poet Hafiz, offering a message of unconditional love, generosity, and quiet devotion. Through warm harmonies, lyrical melodic lines, and a gradual unfolding of musical intensity, Forrest captures the imagery of the sun as a symbol of steadfast grace—giving light and warmth freely without expectation or recognition. The piece invites singers and listeners into a reflective exploration of selfless love and the beauty of giving without seeking reward. Ideal for advanced high school choirs, The Sun Never Says is a festival-worthy work that showcases expressive phrasing, dynamic sensitivity, harmonic awareness, and ensemble blend. Its accessible vocal writing allows choirs to focus on musical maturity and emotional communication, while the rich harmonic language provides opportunities for developing tonal color and artistry. A compelling selection for concert, festival, or contest repertoire, this work highlights the power of choral music to convey profound human and spiritual themes through simplicity, beauty, and sincerity. This quickly became one of my students’ favorite pieces. Title of Piece: Rise Composer: Tyler Busick Voicing: SATB divisi, a cappella with floor tom Publisher: Endeavor Music Octavo Number: Pepper ID: 11641942 | Supplier ID: 1001340 Recording Link: Rise Tyler Busick’s Rise is a fierce and unforgettable choral work that commands attention through its rhythmic energy, dramatic intensity, and powerful sense of momentum. Featuring driving vocal lines, stomps, optional floor tom, and an original Latin text by master poet Charles Anthony Silvestri, the piece creates a compelling fusion of primal rhythm and choral expression. Chant-like invocations build layer upon layer, leading singers and listeners through an electrifying musical journey that celebrates strength, determination, and the power of collective voices. An excellent choice for high school choirs seeking a bold and impactful festival or contest selection, Rise showcases rhythmic precision, dynamic contrast, ensemble commitment, and dramatic storytelling. Its visceral energy and theatrical qualities make it an ideal centerpiece for a concert program, providing a memorable performance experience that challenges singers while engaging audiences. My students really enjoyed working on this piece and thought it was awesome that the composer was from Missouri!
R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
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R&R Repertoire Suggestions
REPERTOIRE · RESOURCES REFLECTION · RENEWAL
SATB Repertoire, continued Title of Piece: Give Me Your Stars Composer: Lucy Walker Voicing: SATB divisi, a cappella Publisher: E.C. Schirmer Octavo Number: Pepper ID: 11640787 | Supplier ID: 9457 | UPC: 600313326448 Recording Link: Give Me Your Stars Lucy Walker’s Give Me Your Stars is a lyrical and expressive choral work that invites singers and listeners into a world of wonder, reflection, and emotional depth. Through elegant melodic writing and rich harmonic textures, the piece captures a sense of reaching beyond the ordinary toward beauty, hope, and inspiration. Walker’s thoughtful approach to text and musical pacing allows the choir to explore expressive phrasing, tonal warmth, and the powerful connection between poetry and sound. A compelling selection for advanced high school choirs, Give Me Your Stars offers opportunities to develop ensemble blend, dynamic shaping, and nuanced storytelling. Its soaring lines and reflective character make it an excellent choice for concert, festival, or contest repertoire, providing a moment of musical sincerity and emotional contrast within a varied program. This work also holds a special place in my own teaching experience. It quickly became one of my students' favorite selections, and they often couldn't wait to sing it in our high school lobby, where the building's beautiful acoustics allowed the harmonies to bloom. Before long, teachers and students would stop what they were doing and gather to listen, creating an impromptu performance that reminded us all of choral music's unique ability to bring people together and transform an ordinary space into something extraordinary. Title of Piece: Nox Composer: Elaine Hagenberg Voicing: SATB divisi, piano & percussion Publisher: Elaine Hagenberg Music Octavo Number: Pepper ID: 11397313 | Supplier ID: EH1013 | UPC: 860005312 Recording Link: Nox Elaine Hagenberg’s Nox is a hauntingly beautiful work that explores themes of darkness, rest, and hope with remarkable emotional depth. Set to a Latin text centered on the imagery of night, the composition unfolds with lush harmonies, flowing melodic lines, and carefully crafted moments of tension and release. An outstanding selection for high school choirs, Nox provides meaningful opportunities to develop expressive musicianship, tonal richness, and refined ensemble singing. The work challenges singers to sustain long musical phrases, achieve exceptional balance and blend, and communicate subtle emotional nuances through dynamic sensitivity and text interpretation. It also requires a skilled collaborative pianist, as the piano accompaniment is an integral part of the musical fabric, demanding both technical proficiency and artistic sensitivity to support and enhance the choir's performance. From my own experience, Nox became a favorite among my singers—especially the tenor and bass sections, who were captivated by the intensity and emotional power of the work. Even after the performance season had ended, they frequently asked to pull it back out simply because they loved it so much. The Latin text also makes the piece an excellent vehicle for developing clear diction and unified vowel production, allowing ensembles to refine their language skills while creating an immersive and unforgettable musical experience. R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
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R&R Repertoire Suggestions
REPERTOIRE · RESOURCES REFLECTION · RENEWAL
SATB Repertoire, continued Title of Piece: Gropen Composer: Gjermund Larsen Voicing: SATB divisi, a cappella, fiddle player Publisher: Walton Music Octavo Number: Pepper ID: 10871249 | Supplier ID: WW1619 Recording Link: Gropen Gjermund Larsen’s Gropen is a captivating work rooted in the rich traditions of Norwegian folk music, blending driving rhythmic energy with haunting lyricism. Inspired by the melodies and dance rhythms of Scandinavia, the piece invites singers to explore a distinctive musical style characterized by flowing phrases, modal harmonies, and an organic sense of movement. The work's evocative atmosphere transports performers and audiences alike to the landscapes and cultural heritage of Norway, making it both an engaging musical experience and a valuable introduction to Nordic folk traditions. An excellent choice for advanced high school choirs, Gropen challenges singers to develop rhythmic precision, tonal flexibility, and expressive storytelling while embracing a style that differs from traditional Western concert repertoire. Its unique harmonic language, energetic pulse, and authentic folk character make it a standout selection for concert, festival, or contest programming. Performing Gropen was such a beautiful experience for our singers and audience alike. Throughout the process not only did this piece help to broaden students' musical perspectives, but it also offered both students and the audience a unique and memorable example of contemporary choral literature inspired by centuries-old folk traditions. When programming this piece, an excellent is a MUST. Title of Piece: We Remember Them Composer: Susan LaBarr Voicing: SATB with piano Publisher: Walton Octavo Number: Pepper ID: 10980924 | Supplier ID: WW1753 | UPC: 785147018162 Recording Link: We Remember Them Susan LaBarr’s We Remember Them is a deeply moving and reflective choral work that honors the lives, sacrifices, and memories of those who we hold dear. With a text centered on remembrance, gratitude, and the enduring impact of individuals who have shaped our lives, LaBarr’s sensitive musical setting allows singers to communicate profound emotion through beautiful melodic lines, rich harmonies, and thoughtful pacing. The piece creates a meaningful space for reflection and connection, making it especially powerful in ceremonies, memorial programs, and concert settings where music serves as a bridge between generations. The reason I continue to include We Remember Them on my repertoire lists is because it has become a favorite among my students to perform at our annual Veterans Day program. This piece is one of the pieces I use in the rotation featured during the memorial portion of the program, and it has become one of those defining musical moments that students carry with them long after the performance ends. When our seniors reflect on their final year in choir, this is consistently one of the experiences they write about as a favorite memory—the opportunity to use their voices to honor others and create a moment of genuine meaning for our school and community. We Remember Them is not only a beautifully crafted choral selection, but also a reminder of the powerful role that music can play in service, remembrance, and bringing people together. R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
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R&R Repertoire Suggestions
REPERTOIRE · RESOURCES REFLECTION · RENEWAL
SSA Repertoire Kristina MacMullen, SSA Choirs R&R Chair · kristina_macmullen@baylor.edu
Title of Piece: Ombra mai fu Composer: G.F. Handel Voicing: Unison Publisher: https://imslp.org/wiki/Serse,_HWV_40_(Handel,_George_Frideric) Octavo Number: NA Recording Link: Ombra mai fu (Serse) Händel - boy treble Roy van Vugt from the Netherlands Boys Choir Ombra mai fu Cécilia Bartoli Ombra mai fu represents a body of solo repertoire available in the public domain that can be adapted for the choral ensemble. I love these early arias to cultivate a bel canto sound in young voices. There are countless recordings online featuring artists of diverse identities, each bringing a unique interpretation. It can open a world of singing to the young artist. The voice of a child or adult has equal artistic potential for an impactful moment. The public domain is an abundant resource for pedagogic materials. For ensembles of all levels and voicings, I love to use unison singing to cultivate the concept of vowel production and line. The scalar writing allows for connection of breath and legato in the voice. The italianate vowels help to eliminate diphthongs and invite beauty in the sound. There are theoretical lessons in applied dominants and relative minor to learn. You can also introduce students to the idea of recitative in the context of opera. At the end of the learning, each student will emerge with a solo that they can sing for Solo and Ensemble/UIL. Note that all editions on IMSLP vary in quality. There are also multiple keys that can be selected based on the needs of your ensemble. Should you have access to an excellent cellist, you could easily add a basso continuo line.
Title of Piece: Down By the Sally Gardens Arranger: Benjamin Britten Voicing: Unison Publisher: Oxford University Press https://www.jwpepper.com/sally-gardens-1292804/p The Sally Gardens - arr. Britten Down By the Sally Gardens is also a solo that can be adapted for the choral ensemble. It has the same potential as the Handel in its possibilities relating to scalar motion, legato line, breath management, and extra-musical narrative. In addition, this score is largely, though not exclusively, pentatonic. It has the timeless power and appeal of folk melody. In addition to the technical elements listed above, consider inviting student participation in the shaping of phrase - particularly in unexpected ways. There are several excellent recordings available on youtube. This piece can work for a variety of contexts. It is stunningly beautiful in both children and adult voices. A TB choir can perform it just as compellingly as a treble ensemble. R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
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R&R Repertoire Suggestions
REPERTOIRE · RESOURCES REFLECTION · RENEWAL
SSA Repertoire, continued Title of Piece: Den Tod Composer: J.S. Bach Voicing: SA Publisher: https://ks15.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/b/b1/IMSLP24172-PMLP03250-bwv004.pdf Octavo Number: Page 22-27 of the linked score Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2CCytZtllk Over the course of his career, Bach composed hundreds of Cantatas. These multi-movement works are a treasure trove of solos and duets. Because Bach’s sopranos were children, many excerpted movements are more accessible than one might expect. This duet contains many musical concepts. The brilliant construction offers an example of imitation that is digestible to the young musician. The equal dialogue allows for primary material in both the upper and lower voice. There are substantive sections in the relative major key. There is also a divine chain of suspensions that can lead to interactive partner work in the rehearsal.
Title of Piece: Wild Mountain Thyme Composer: Folk Song Arranger: Jay Broeker Voicing: SSA Publisher: https://www.jwpepper.com/wild-mountain-thyme-5689062/p Octavo Number: Boosey & Hawkes 48004568 Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBzmD9yp9Mg This lovely melody has stood the test of time and Broeker’s setting is both spacious and satisfying. The bulk of this selection is unison with accessible three-part divisi at the end of each verse. The voice leading is excellent and leads to successful part-singing while providing lots of room for tone development and phrasal shaping. When I was a high school teacher, I prepared this with my intermediate treble choir. As a part of the process, I invited the students to write a letter that might be connected to the story of the selection. I shared these letters with the students in a “read-aloud” block of class. They loved the extra-musical narrative. The engagement of their imaginations transformed their performance.
R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
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R&R Repertoire Suggestions
REPERTOIRE · RESOURCES REFLECTION · RENEWAL
SSA Repertoire, continued Title of Piece: Jam! Composer: Tracy Wong Voicing: SSAA Publisher: Graphite Octavo Number: NA Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK5uRFv94OM This piece is a total delight. Dr. Wong composed this as a “three-way play” on words, with multiple layers of meaning. In Malay, Jom, ayuh, and mari all similarly invite the listener to “come, let’s go!” That sentiment is woven throughout. This composition is a celebration of friendship and play. Jam sounds much tougher than it is. The primary themes are catchy and partner together in a conversation of joy and rhythmic vitality. Each of the voices has interesting material. In addition to satisfying motives, Wong has created body percussion that can be paired. There are several tutorials online. Your students will love this piece and be motivated to pull it together.
Title of Piece: Where’er You Go Composer: Reginal Wright Voicing: SSA Publisher: Carl Fischer Octavo Number: CM9479 Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7zli6r60w Reginal Wright is a nationally recognized expert in the treble voice. His knowledge of the instrument is evidenced in this original setting of the Song of Ruth. The text is a song of commitment and devotion with sentiments that are easily adapted for varied interpretation. This offers educators a roadmap to teach form, text painting, and vertical sonority. It begins with a declaration of love and commitment. Note the text painting as the Soprano One leads “Where you” and the Soprano Two follows. It also features solo oboe paired with piano accompaniment.
R&R INSIGHTS & IDEAS
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Membership Monthly
WELCOME OUR NEW SWACDA MEMBERS
Welcome to our new members by state! We are so happy to have you with us.
Arkansas
Colorado
Allie Simpson Georgia Geren Katy Brockinton Ryker Little Brenda McInemey Vienna Lewis
Richard Kastendieck Loretta Notareschi Elizabeth Scarselli Michele Massey Natalie Thompson Zacharia Smith
Kansas
New Mexico
Lacey Buxton Connie Loewen Jan Kennedy
CJ Whitmore
Missouri
Oklahoma
Madie Lewis Amy Johns Christian Chamberlain Kori Phillips Annabeth Kaibel Taylor Hicks Jaben Parnell Brian Scheller
Colours Starsick Mike Plunkett Ryleigh Rushing Todd Robertson Parker McMartin Chad Smith Susan Morren Brandon Bruce
Texas Ginger Storey Jennifer Klein Salyer
MEMBERSHIP MONTHLY
If you are NOT a new member of ACDA, please email kathybhat@gmail.com and we will get your account straightened out. Longevity matters!
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New Voices in SWACDA
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Kalista Brown Kalista Brown is a Senior Choral Music Education Major at the University of Arkansas originally from Olathe, KS. She has been a member of the Schola Cantorum, Inspirational Chorale, UofA Opera Department, Voices Jazz, KC Acapella and has performed musical theatre with Theatre in The Park and Sandstone KC. Ms. Brown is an intern for the UA Children’s Choir and spends her summers as the Assistant Vocal Director for the educational theatre camps at The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. She is an active songwriter and composer, and you can find her music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and anywhere else you stream music. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and camping. Ms. Brown is an accomplished composer, having organized and conducted a concert of her vocal and choral works in May 2026. Additionally, she has been a dear friend of mine for many years and a huge inspiration in my roles as a teacher, conductor, and composer. I believe she has a bright future ahead of her and cannot wait to see how far she will go.
Every Beginning Matters to Us
Submitted by Corbin Montenegro
Every member of this region has a story worth telling. We can’t wait to share more soon.
New Voices in SWACDA
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New Voices in SWACDA
GET TO KNOW OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
WELCOME IN
Every Beginning Matters to Us Every choral director’s journey has a beginning, and every one of those beginnings matters to us. New Voices in SWACDA is our chance to welcome the newest members
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Name and state
of our region, whether you’re brand new to the profession and just starting to find your footing, or you’ve been leading choirs for years and are new to SWACDA
Current role or position
itself. Either way, you belong here, and we want the whole region to know it.
drew them to choral music
This feature is about more than introductions. It’s about connection. When we share a new member’s story, their background, what drew them to choral music, and what excited them about joining SWACDA, we’re building bridges across our seven states. Someone reading their story might reach out with a welcome, an invitation, or a piece of advice that makes all the difference in those
part of SWACDA
early days. That’s the kind of region we want to be: one where nobody has to figure it out alone. So if you’re new to the profession, new to SWACDA, or you know someone who is, we’d love to feature them.
A short bio — a few sentences on their background and what What excites them about being A headshot You can submit your own information, or nominate a new member you’d love to see featured.
Submit a New Voice Complete the New Voices in SWACDA form →
Every voice adds something to this region, and we can’t wait to help the rest of us hear it.
NEW VOICES IN SWACDA
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Deadlines at a Glance
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Below is a quick-glance list of upcoming deadlines from ACDA National and each of our seven states, so you never miss an audition window, application deadline, or registration cutoff. We’ll refresh this list every issue, so bookmark this space and check back each month.
DATE
EVENT & DEADLINE
ORGANIZATION
September 10, 2026
Colorado All-State Choir audition registration deadline (late registration accepted through September 15 w/ Colorado MEA fee increase)
September 12, 2026
Oklahoma OkMEA All-State Mixed and
Oklahoma MEA
Treble Chorus, first registration deadline September 19, 2026
Oklahoma OkMEA All-State Mixed and
Oklahoma MEA
Treble Chorus, second registration deadline Sept 1–23, 2026
Graded Honor Choirs — application deadline:
National ACDA
September 23, 11:59pm CDT Sept 1–23, 2026
National Show Choir Honor Choir — application deadline: September 23, 11:59pm CDT
National ACDA
Sept 1–23, 2026
National Vocal Jazz Honor Choir — application
National ACDA
deadline: September 23, 11:59pm CDT Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2026
Student Conducting Masterclass Auditions —
National ACDA
deadline: October 15, 11:59pm CDT October 9, 2026
NMACDA Choir Audition — registration / submission
New Mexico ACDA
Oct 15 – Nov 3, 2026
Research Poster Session — application
National ACDA
deadline: November 3, 11:59pm CDT November 17, 2026
Oklahoma All-OkACDA Junior High Honor
Oklahoma ACDA
Chorus, second round auditions
Know a deadline we missed? If you know of a deadline in your state that isn’t listed here, send the date, the deadline description, and the organization it’s tied to by completing this form at least one month before the event deadline, and we’ll add it to the next issue.
DEADLINES AT A GLANCE
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HONORING OUR COLLEAGUES
In Memoriam Guidelines As a community, SWACDA publicly honors the passing of current, retired, and past choral directors who were members of SWACDA, in The Southwestern Connection. If you know of someone who has passed and should be recognized, you are asked to submit the following information to Margie Camp at MargieC@swacda.org.
GUIDELINES FOR THESE NOTICES Upon the passing of current, retired, and past choral directors who were members of SWACDA, a notice will be posted in the In Memoriam section of The Southwestern Connection. Please include: Name Employer positions held Positions held in ACDA, SWACDA and/or state chapters Date of passing Memorial link We invite anyone to share news of the passing of current, retired, and past choral directors who were members of SWACDA, so that we can honor them. Please send such information to MargieC@swacda.org.
IN MEMORIAM
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HONORING OUR COLLEAGUES
In Memoriam
Gary D. Packwood May 19, 1967 - July 5, 2026
Dr. Gary Denall Packwood, a devoted choral conductor, educator, and mentor to countless students, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas, at the age of 59. He is survived by his husband, Joao Vilar Da Silva, along with siblings, nieces, nephew, godson, and a wide circle of family, friends, and former students. Born May 19, 1967, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Gary discovered his love of music early, singing in his church youth choir before he could fully speak. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education in Voice from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1990, a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from Florida Atlantic University in 1998, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University in 2004. His teaching career spanned three decades and multiple institutions. He directed choral music at William T. Dwyer Community High School in Florida, served as Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Montevallo, and served as the Director of Choral Activities and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music at Mississippi State University, where enrollment grew significantly and choirs performed internationally in Brazil and Spain. Most recently, he served as Director of Choirs at Estacado High School and District Choral Facilitator for Lubbock ISD. Dr. Packwood's compositions were published by Gentry/Fred Bock Music, MusicSpoke, and Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and his scholarly writing appeared in the Choral Journal and other publications. A longtime member of ACDA and NCCO, he conducted honor and allstate choirs across the United States and Europe. Most recently, he served as the Southwestern Region Tenor Bass Honor Choir Conductor in Albuquerque. Memorial donations may be made to the LSU A Cappella Choir Fund at http://givelsu.org/garypackwood or by contacting the LSU Foundation at 225.578.2441.
IN MEMORIAM
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Connect with SWACDA
BETWEEN ISSUES
FIND US EVERYWHERE
Stay in the Loop, All Month Long The Southwestern Connection lands on the 15th — but the conversation doesn’t stop between issues. Follow SWACDA wherever you spend your time online for repertoire ideas, session clips, member news, and the occasional something that makes you smile.
swacda.org Our home base — news, resources & conference info
YouTube — Southwest Region ACDA Sessions, interviews & performances
Facebook Group — Southwestern ACDA Member conversation & community
Facebook Page — ACDA: Southwestern Region Expect the exact same high-value updates, leadership insights, and community spotlights delivered right to your Facebook feed in easy-to-read, bite-sized posts.
Instagram — @swacda Look forward to quick, digestible bites of content from our leadership team, R&R leaders, and the rest of the membership.
TikTok — @swacda Prefer video? Catch those same leadership perspectives, R&R highlights, and community moments in quick, engaging, short-form videos.
More ways to stay connected between conferences — and more ways to get something useful out of your membership, every single month. CONNECT WITH SWACDA
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Be Our Guest
A LETTER FROM SWACDA MEMBERSHIP
We Want to Hear From You This space is usually reserved for a guest feature, and in our next issue you'll hear directly from ACDA Executive Director Robyn Hilger. But that gives us a chance to do something we've been wanting to do for a while: open this page up to you. The Southwestern Connection is only as good as the voices in it. Every issue, we get to share stories from directors across our seven states, and we know there are so many more out there. If you've got something to say to your fellow SWACDA members, this is your invitation to say it here. What we're looking for We're open to a wide range of submissions. A few ideas to get you thinking: A lesson you learned the hard way (or the easy way) in your own classroom or rehearsal hall A program, project, or partnership at your school or in your community worth celebrating A reflection on a piece of repertoire that changed how you think about teaching A letter on an issue facing choral education in our region A tribute to a mentor, colleague, or student who shaped your path Anything else that feels true to why you do this work There's no single format that fits every story, and we'd rather hear yours in your own words than try to fit it into a template. How to submit Send your piece as plain text, without special formatting, to [insert submission email or form link]. A headshot is welcome if you'd like one included. We ask that submissions run somewhere between 400 and 800 words, though we're happy to talk through anything longer or shorter. When We're looking for a piece for our next issue, and we'll keep this space open on an ongoing basis after that. If your story doesn't make it into the very next issue, we'll be glad to hold it for a future one. If you've been sitting on something you've wanted to share with the region, consider this your sign. We'd love to hear from you.
ARKANSAS · COLORADO · KANSAS · MISSOURI · NEW MEXICO · OKLAHOMA · TEXAS
The Southwestern Connection · Vol. 3.2 · August 15, 2026 · A publication of the Southwestern Region of the American Choral Directors Association
BE OUR GUEST
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