If we’re Facebook friends, you’ve probably noticed…I’m on an Albuquerque kick lately. I just can’t help it! The SWACDA 2026 Conference is only eleven months away, and I. CAN’T. WAIT!
We’re planning something truly incredible. The concerts, the sessions, the special events we’re putting everything into making this a memorable and meaningful experience for YOU. I have the most amazing team, and together, we’re building a celebration of choral music that will inspire, connect, and energize us all.
But every now and then, I see posts or comments about the cost of attending conferences both for conductors and honor choir students. And I get it. I truly do. Not everyone can make it, whether it’s because of schedule conflicts, work commitments, or finances
What some may not realize is that regional conferences are different than state ones We start from scratch in a new city every two years. That means every venue, every hotel room, every rehearsal space has to be negotiated and booked anew and costs have skyrocketed post-2020
To give you a glimpse:
☕ Coffee for meetings at the Dallas Sheraton was $189 per gallon.
�� A performance venue in a city we didn’t choose for 2026? $25,000 per day, plus $38,000 in union fees
We plan everything on a zero-based budget, which means that every cost must be covered by attendees. There’s no big pot of money behind the scenes just careful planning, passionate volunteers, and a whole lot of heart.
Here’s the good news: We’re doing everything we can to keep costs down AND we’re working hard to build scholarship funds to support honor choir students and early-career teachers who need a hand
Because here’s the truth:
We want YOU in Albuquerque with us
We want your voice in the room.
We want your students to shine.
We want to create a space where passion, music, and community collide and where everyone feels like they belong. More details (and ways you can help) coming soon. For now, just know this: The countdown is on And it’s going to be amazing ����✨
As the Show Choir Season is coming to an end, we all begin the new adventure of creating a new Show Choir Show for next year. A new season to build also comes with the other items that are on many to-do lists from selecting your choreographer, costumes, contest, budgeting, selecting your music and collaboratingwithyourarranger.Thisissometimesthemostrewardingcollaborationyoumayhaveatthe beginningofyourshowdesign Ifyoudonotalreadyhaveanarrangerthatyouworkwithoryouwantto experiencenewideasfromotherarrangers,thiscanbeaverytaskingandtediousprocess
I have asked the founder of ShowChoircom Haakon Sundry to help me with this process Sundry has an extensivelistofArrangers,ChoreographersandShowDesignersonhiswebsite Ifyouarenotfamiliarwith showchoir.com you need to be! This is becoming one of the leading Show Choir resources for the entire Nation.
Show choirs captivate audiences with dynamic performances that blend vocal excellence, choreography, and storytelling. Central to this art form is the music arrangement of custom crafted scores, that breathe lifeintoaShowChoir’svision.Foreducators,navigatingtheworldofshowchoirarrangerscanbedaunting. IhaveaskedseveralArrangerstohelpprovidearoadmaptoconnect,streamlinecollaborations,andelevate yourprogram.
WhyCollaboratingwithArrangersMatters
Arrangers transform your creative vision into tailored musical pieces that highlight your choir’s strengths. They ensure seamless integration of vocals, choreography, and instrumentation, making them indispensablepartners
Show choir arrangers are the unsung heroes behind unforgettable performances By leveraging the ACDA Southwestern Connection’s resources and fostering proactive partnerships, educators can unlock their choir’sfullpotential.ReachouttotheR&RChairtoday,andletthemusicbegin!
Below are arrangers with public contact details. Along with those arrangers are some selected titles that theywantedtosharewithSWACDAforyourperusal.
2025 is Tyler’s 8th season arranging, he spent 3 years teaching 5-12 choral music plus 3 Show Choirs in Central IL and Central MS, and this will be his 5th season arranging full time. He is still taking a few new groupsifanyoneisinterestedinarrangementsforthe2026competitionseason!Theycansendanemailor head to website and fill out the contact form You can find all of these tracks plus over 200 more arrangementsofallstyles,voicings,etc onhiswebsite
AdditionalInsight:Asawaytomakecustomarrangementslessexpensiveandeasilyaccessible,Ihavebeen publishingshowchoirarrangementsonlinethroughArrangeMe.com.ThiswebsiteisownedbyHalLeonard, so all arrangements have licensing included.Vocal scores and band accompaniments are available on Sheet MusicPlusandSheetMusicDirectandarepurchasedjustlikestockarrangements.Thissavesalotofmoney and time by not having to pay additional licensing fees and there is no waiting time on licensing approval. Copyrighted and original music is available for publication as well as medleys (up to five titles).To clarify, notallarrangementsareavailableforpublicationthroughArrangeMe.com.Inthose cases,arrangementsneedtobelicensedthroughTresona.CheckoutsomeperusaltitlesandtracksfromJeff HERE
Check out some perusal titles and tracks from Anita HERE
Email:music@showchoirstockcom
Website:ShowChoirStock.com
AdditionalListofArrangersfromShowchoir.com
BrockKeiper-brock@bmkmusic.com
DanScoville-luckychrm9@yahoo.com
DrewFirkins-firkinsarrangements@gmail.com
HerselCremeans-on.keyproductions@sbcglobal.net
KevinDuggan-Kevin@DugganArrangements.com
LukeFurman-lfurmanmusic@gmail.com
NickBrockamp-musicalityarr@gmail.com
R&R Resource ReginalWright
TTBBChoirs
The7HabitsoftheHighlyEffectiveChoralProgram
I’ve always been drawn to Stephen Covey’s writings on success, particularly his Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. As someone who thrives on process and structure, this book has been a constant guide throughout my teaching career. When I recently stepped into a new role that felt unfamiliar, I found myself revisiting Covey’s ideas, hoping to reconnect with his practical, process-oriented approach. As I read the book once again, it hit me these same habits could be applied to building and maintaining successfulchoralmusicprograms.
Enhance teaching craft: Encourage a proactive mindset in students, fostering self-discipline and responsibility.Takeadvantageofthe“masterteachers”inyourschool.Thesedon’tnecessarily havetobe musicteachers Ihavelearnedsomuchfromscienceandalgebrateachersover thecourseofmycareer.
Recruiting and retention: Work to place your program in proximity to all students. Perform in the community as often as possible this could include pep rallies, football, basketball, volleyball, or soccer games.Visit campuses frequently to allow students to put a face with the program. Cluster concerts or evenTenor/Bassnightsaredefinitewaystoattractstudentstoyour program.
Habit2:BeginwiththeEndinMind
Take initiative as a choral director by building a clear vision and setting goals for the program. While settingthevisionandgoals,alsobearinmindcontributingfactorsaswellasbarriersto success.Establish patienceandworkinsmallsteps,recognizingwinsastheyoccur
Plan concerts and repertoire strategically to align with the choir’s growth and community engagement “Bloomwhereyouareplanted”Workwithinstudents’skilllevelstohighlight musicalstrengths
Balance musical excellence with fostering a sense of community and connection within the ensemble. Create social activities that will allow the choir opportunities to bond. If possible, plan 3 to 4 per year. Examples:Back-to-schoolsocial,Halloweentrunkortreat,holidaysocial,Tenor/Bassvideogamenights.
Enhance teaching craft: Attend professional development opportunities to gather skills for your future fullydevelopedchoir.Takefieldtripswithstudentstoschoolsthathavereachedtheperformance,skill,and recruitinglevelyouareaspiringtoobtain.
Create a supportive environment where all members feel valued and are encouraged to succeed Form collaborativepartnershipswithadministrationandcounselingstaff
Foster collaboration among choir members through peer mentorship and teamwork exercises. Utilize vertical“choirteams”withinyourchoir.Eachteamaccumulatespointsbasedonvariousaccomplishments and is rewarded at the end of the academic year.This ensures strong mentorship throughout the vertical team.
Habit5:SeekFirsttoUnderstand,ThentoBeUnderstood
Activelylistentostudents’needs,fosteringaninclusiveandempatheticrehearsalenvironment.It’sokayto set aside time in class to check on students’ well-being while still being productive. Students deserve to knowthattheyhaveadultsupportinlifeaswellasacademics
Adapt teaching strategies to honor the diverse perspectives within the choir Program music that reflects the demographic mosaic of the student population, and allow students to lead repertoire that is in their nativecultureortongue
Enhance teaching craft: Encourage creative problem-solving through group activities that value every voice. Allow synergistic relationships among students to create a growth environment where the teacher facilitatesratherthandirects.
Enhance teaching craft: Model a balanced approach to work and rest, teaching students the value of selfrenewal.Inthisscenario,“moreiscaughtthantaught”asstudentsseeouractionsasmuchastheyhearour words.
IncorporatingStephenCovey’s7HabitsofHighlyEffectivePeopleintochoralprogramsprovidesastructured frameworkforfosteringgrowth,camaraderie,andlong-termsuccess.Bybeingproactive,settingcleargoals, prioritizing foundational skills, promoting a supportive environment, actively listening, collaborating, and maintaining balance, choir directors can build resilient and thriving programs that positively impact both studentsandthebroadercommunity.
R&R Resource
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli WorldMusic&Cultures
If we think about the British Museum displaying a vase from ancient Babylon, the concept of “cultural appropriation” is clear: They likely picked up the vase during the glory days of theEmpire.Inthatcase,onegrouptakessomethingfromanothergroup.Stealingiswrong. So, one culture appropriates something from another culture However, if we think about howanF#getsliftedfromonegroupandusedinanothercontext,theproblemgetsquitea bitknottier
The wonderful Dr. Kurt Knecht, pianist-organist-composer-editor-soul extraordinaire and co-owner of MusicSpokePublishingstartshisblogentryforJune11,2023withthewordsquotedabove.
Culturesdefinethemselvesand,Iwouldargue,ourroleasmusiciansistoenjoythem,studythem,analyze them,andsharethem,butalwayswithrespect,observingtheculturalframeworkwithintegrity.Wegetin troublewhen,surelyunknowingly,wesettoattempttore-createthemorre-definethemasweseefit,as well intentioned as our actions may be. I wish things were more clearly definable, allowing for easier decision-makingprocessesinourwonderfulprofession.
Is it acceptable to perform choral works in translation? Is it OK for a person from a particular culture to arrangeafolksongfromanotherculture?CanIarrangeBach(oranyothermastercomposerofthewestern canon)?CananybodyarrangeAfrican-Americanspirituals?Cananybodyperformthem?Isitadvisableto performmusicfromtheChristian,Muslim,orJewishtraditions(tonameafew)andnotbelongtoanyof them?Thequestionsare,indeed,endless.
Asmusiceducators,wedevotemuchofourselvestothesuccessandwell-beingofourstudents.Weinvest countless hours, energy, and passion into guiding their growth, helping them navigate both the technical andemotionalaspectsofmusicandlife.However,inthisprocess,weoftenneglectthemostessentialpart oftheequation…ourselves.
The demands of teaching can be overwhelming, and the emotional weight of nurturing young minds can leave us feeling incredibly drained. Therefore, caring for your personal health cannot be viewed as a frivolousluxury,itmustbeviewedacrucialcomponentofourcareerlongevity.
The foundation of a sustainable teaching practice is built upon our ability to care for our own mental, emotional, and physical well-being By extension, we are then able to better hold the container education withinourclassroomsforourstudents Thisiswheremindfulnessbecomesinvaluable
Mindfulness,asIdiscussinmybookTheMindfulMusician,isapowerfultoolforeducatorstoreconnect withthepresentmoment Itencouragesustoobserveour thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment. In the context of teaching, this practice allowsustobecomemoreawareofwhenwearefeelingstressedandavoidburnout.Withthisawareness, wecantakeintentionalstepstocareforourselvesbeforefeelingsofbitterresentmenttakeover.
Beyond mindfulness, self-care is an essential practice for every music teacher. We often tell our students topracticeregularlyandtakecareoftheirinstruments,buthowoftendoweremindourselvestocarefor ourownwell-being?Caringyouryourselfdoesnothavetobeextravagantortime-consuming.Itcanbeas simpleassettingasidetimetoread,engageinhobbies,orspendtimewithlovedones.Itisaboutcreating spaceforrelaxationandjoysowecanrechargeandrefuel.
SPECIFICSTRATEGIES:
To incorporate these concepts into our daily lives and classrooms, we can begin by scheduling regular breaks throughout the day for short mindfulness practices This could include setting aside 5-10 minutes formeditationordeep-breathingexercisesusingappslikeHeadspaceorCalm (Settingcalendaralarmsor aphotoreminderonthecellscreenarehelpful)
Attendgroupclassesinanactivityweenjoyformotivationandasenseofcommunity,whichcanhelpus stay inspired. Partnering with a colleague, partner, or friend as an accountability partner can encourage consistencyandprovidemutualsupport.
BeOurGuest
Continued
Intheclassroom,wecanstarteachlessonwithashortgroundingactivity,suchasabreathingexerciseora mindful listening session, to promote focus and relaxation. Integrating movement like yoga or dance not only benefits personal well-being, but can also be incorporated into lessons, teaching students the importanceofthelife-longjourneyofcaringforthebodyandmind.
Ultimately,thekeytobeinganeffectiveandcompassionateeducatorliesinfindingbalance Byembracing mindfulness, we create a teaching practice that is sustainable, fulfilling, and enriching for both ourselves andthestudentsweserve
Dr. Jaclyn Normandie is a professional conductor and founder of the Modern Conducting Academy Her study of yoga, meditation, and eastern philosophy led her to author The Mindful Musician: Finding a Healthy Balance, offering strategies in balance and stress management to performers.
Jaclyn currently resides in Costa Rica studying Pachamama Folk Music and leads community ensembles for youth and adults Her private voice instruction focuses on the energetic and emotional principles of vocal developmentandunlockingthefullestpotentialofone’scommunication.
After earning her doctorate at the University of Michigan with Dr. Jerry Blackstone, she taught at the UniversityofTennessee,KnoxvilleandOaklandUniversity.Ensemblesunderherdirection,includingMurrieta Valley High School, have performed around the globe and at American Choral Directors Association National, Western,andCentralDivisionconferences
She has presented lectures at over twenty conferences, as well as guest conducting at the regional and state level Her deep appreciation of movement biomechanics is rooted in her multidiscipline background of conducting,dance,martialarts,andyoga;andherstudieshavetakenhertosuchlocationsasChina,India,and Brazil.
GreetingsfromArkansas!
State of the State Arkansas
Larry Dunn - President
I hope this message finds you well and refreshed whether from the inspiring sessions at the National ACDA Conference, a much-needed spring break, or perhaps both The spring semester is always a whirlwind, as we balance the demands of closing out the school year while already looking ahead to the next. My hope is that this energy is directed toward two exciting opportunities: first, preparing to attend theArkansasACDASummerConference,andsecond,submittinginterestsessionproposalsorperformance applicationsforthe2026SouthwesternDivisionACDAConference.
Both events have profoundly shaped my journey as an educator, helping me grow not only as a musician but also as a leader. I often reflect on the preparation and unforgettable moments of our 2022 SWACDA performance,aswellasthedoorsthatexperienceopened.Arkansasishometoincrediblytalenteddirectors, ensembles, and practitioners, and I encourage all of you to take a chance on engaging in these transformativeconferenceexperiences.
Mark your calendars! The Arkansas ACDA Summer Conference will take place July 27-30, 2025, at the WyndhamRiverfrontinLittleRock.Ourtheme,"StandingintheGap:ThePowerofConnection,"speaksto the heart of what we do as educators. This year, we are thrilled to collaborate with the Arkansas Music EducatorsAssociation(ArkMEA),anaffiliateoftheNationalAssociationforMusicEducation(NAfME),to createanevenstrongersupportsystemformusiceducatorsacrossthestate.Arkansasisuniqueinhaving three distinct organizations that shape music education, and through this partnership, we aim to amplify our collective advocacy and impact. Information on honor choirs, insight sessions, interest sessions, and professionaldevelopmentopportunitiescanbefoundatwww.aracda.org.
AsmytimeasArkansasACDAPresidentcomestoaclose,Iwanttoexpressmydeepestgratitudeforthe privilege of serving in this role. Rather than focusing on launching large-scale initiatives, my goal has alwaysbeentoleadwithaservant’sheart listeningtotheneedsofdirectorsacrossthestateandcreating opportunities that support their growth I have been incredibly fortunate to learn from the leadership of pastpresidents,Dr JeffreyMurdockandCherieCollins,andtoworkalongsideadedicatedboardthattruly embodiesaspiritofservice
