Issue 29 • Winter 2021
In This Issue: State Conference Details Why Music Matters Most The Heart and “Soul” of Mentoring What’s in the Folder? The Official Publication of the North Dakota Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association www.ndacda.com | 1
North Dakota ACDA Leadership Cheryl McIntyre, president, Jamestown High School Dean Jilek, president-elect, University of North Dakota Rebecca Raber, past president, University of Mary Sheldon Weltz, treasurer
North Dakota Repertoire and Resources Committee Repertoire-Specific Coordinator: Tom Porter, University of Mary Men’s Choirs: Tom Porter Women’s Choirs: Lauren Brandenburg, Fargo South HS/Eielson MS Vocal Jazz: Mike Seil, Bismarck Legacy High School Showchoir: Connie Stordalen, Horizon Middle School Ethnic/Multicultural Music: Phillip Voeller, Beulah Middle/High School
Youth Coordinator: Sarah Barnum, Discovery Middle School Children and Community: Brady Gudgel, Mandan Middle School Middle School/Junior High:
Lacey Hanson, Center-Stanton Public School Samantha Steffan Senior High School: Brian Saylor, Bismarck High School
Collegiate Coordinator: Chris Redfearn, Valley City State University Youth College/University: Chris Redfearn Student Activities: Melanie Popejoy, University of North Dakota
Life-Long Coordinator: Sara Lichtblau, Fargo South High School Community Choirs: Sarah Barnum Music in Worship:
Traditional: Vicky Boechler, St. Mary’s High School, Contemporary: Sara Lichtblau Brent Rogers, Dickinson State University Editor and Designer, The Chorister brent.w.rogers@dickinsonstate.edu 2 | The Chorister • Winter 2021
Contents From the President
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Cheryl McIntyre, Jamestown High School State Conference Schedules
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Why Music Matters Most
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Patrick McGuire, Shanley High School
The Heart and “Soul” of Mentoring
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Melanie Popejoy, University of North Dakota What’s In the Folder?
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Lacey Hanson, Center-Stanton School
Visit NDACDA online at ndacda.com, or by clicking below.
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From the President
ongratulations to our North Dakota teachers for persevering through such a challenging time. You are some of the most creative people in your school and are providing the education and outlet needed desperately by so many students. While this year has created moments of isolation, it has also shown us the need to stay connected. I appreciate the people who have been willing to share the experiences you are having in order to help others find ways to share music with their students. North Dakota is one of a few states to see growth in membership for ACDA. This year the increase in membership came particularly from our collegiate students. We would like to welcome you and all of the new members to North Dakota ACDA. NDACDA provides opportunities for students of all ages, provides professional development opportunities in the area of choral music, and allows us to work with professionals from the state and national level.
Some of the programs/opportunities ACDA offers its members includes:
Surround the State in Song- 5th and 6th Grade Honor Choir (Postponed until April)
Middle Level Honor Choirs- 7-9th Grade auditioned Honor Choir at the State Conference in February
Alternating 10th Grade-Collegiate Women’s or Men’s Honor Choir at the State Conference (not offered this year)
State NDACDA Conference in February including professional development and credit opportunities
Regional and National ACDA Conferences filled with informative sessions, music, and more music!
Numerous opportunities to connect with other teachers within the state.
We are very excited about the NDACDA Student Virtual Conference this year. The schedule is included in this copy of the Chorister. Our 248 Middle Level Honor Choir students, including the alternates, will have the opportunity to hear and interact with Nation (Timothy Takach & Jocelyn Hagen), Tigirlily, Kat Perkins, and Six Appeal. Several of these fine performers got their start in North Dakota. We also have two special appearances by Ben Folds. Thank you to Samantha Steffan, Lacey Hanson, Vicky Boechler, and Rebecca Raber to create this fantastic opportunity for our stu4 | The Chorister • Winter 2021
dents. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Teachers may participate with the students in this conference. To accommodate the lack of substitute teachers in most schools, we will begin the Virtual Teacher portion of the conference at 4:30 on Friday, Feb. 5th with a Sharing Session. We will continue on Saturday morning. Feel free to bring your own beverage and a snack! We are honored to have Elaine Hagenberg, Dr. Justin Binek, Dr. Whitney Berry, Dr. Lauren Feldman, and Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser participate to share more tools for effective choral education and the added motivation needed to continue our mission. We will also offer a Young Professionals “What I Wish I Knew.� Credit is available through Dr. Mike Weber at NDSU. Thank you to NDACDA Vice President Dean Jilek for putting this conference together for our members. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the Virtual Conference for those that are registered. An online payment option will be on the website very soon. At the request of National ACDA, we have shared the ACDA videos created by Phillip Voeller to let people know what NDACDA is all about. If you have not had the opportunity to see the videos, please check them out on our facebook page and on our ndacda website. As I visit with people from all over the state of North Dakota as well as the Midwest, keeping the music alive has been a main priority. We have been forced to use our creativity to find new ways to connect with our students whether virtually or face to face. That looks different in every school and is under constant state of change. Take some time to enjoy the students and understand how you are making life in these difficult times much more enjoyable and truly dealing with the socioemotional needs of the students. I am so thankful that we are able to create music while following safety regulations and enriching our lives and the lives of our students.
Cheryl McIntyre Jamestown MS/HS NDACDA President
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Student Conf erence Schedule Friday, February 5th 9:00 am
Check In/Welcome via Zoom. Special appearance by Ben Folds.
9:10
“Nation”: Timothy Takach & Jocelyn Hagen
Nation is a collaborative vocal band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN pioneered by composer/performers Jocelyn Hagen and Timothy C. Takach. Adeptly blurring genre lines, Nation’s sound defies definition, and commands attention from the stage. http://nationensemble.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbDh_BkJ6mU 10:00
“Tigirlily”: Songwriting and Performance
Nashville recording artists and North Dakota's own, Kendra and Krista, combine their individual talents with sibling harmony to make up the genre-bending duo, Tigirlily. Singing since they were talking, blending their voices was a natural step. https://tigirlily.com/home 10:30
Patrick McGuire: Connecting with Music and Each Other
11:00
Kat Perkins: Desktop Concert and Workshop
Kat Perkins is a singer/songwriter, performer, nationally recognized public speaker, and finalist of NBC’s The Voice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv3HqcwbMyU 11:30
Six Appeal: Q & A Workshop
Six Appeal is a 2-time world champion vocal group based across the USA. Six Appeal is a world class vocal ensemble infused with sharp comedic timing and the energy and vitality of a rock band. Swearing off instruments, the award-winning vocal band Six Appeal takes you on a journey that spans decades of music, performing classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes – all sung a cappella. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF928L1jfvQ 12:00
Ben Folds Performance
Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation. 12:05
NDACDA Awards
12:15
Final Concert- Six Appeal Desktop Concert
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Teacher Conf erence Schedule Friday, February 5th 4:30 pm
Check In/Sharing and Challenges
5:00
Elaine Hagenberg "Creative Resources for Online, In-person, and Hybrid Rehearsals"
6:00
NDACDA Meeting
7:00
Dr. Justin Binek: "Ideas for the Virtual Jazz Musician"
Saturday, February 6th 9:00 am
Dr. Whitney Berry: "An Energetic Approach to Aural Skills"
10:00
Dr. Lauren Feldman "The Singing Athlete, How Basic Nutrition Affects Vocal Health"
11:00
Young Professionals and Collegiate "What I Wish I Knew/Had Learned"
12:00
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser: Closing and Keynote Speaker
Teachers are welcome to join the student conference.
Cost of the conference is $35 for NDACDA members.
Online payment options will be available on the NDACDA website.
Credit will be available through NDSU. Information is available at https://www.ndsu.edu/dce/k-12/info/17477.
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Why Music Matters Most
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A Look Back on 2020
he importance of music lies in its unimportance. Human beings have the unique ability, above all other creatures, to create something ‘useless.’ A creature in the wild will not ‘do’ anything that does not in some way pertain to their survival. Chimpanzees can creatively think to use a hollow stick to suck bugs out of a tree log, but that is simply a tool to obtain nourishment. When it comes to creating something ‘useless,’ think about Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, or even Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. No matter the passion and energy you put into a performance of these or any other piece of music, it will not give you physical nourishment to help you survive—although it will feel really good. This highlights precisely why what we do is so important: Music makes us human. Our basic survival needs are: Oxygen, water, food, shelter, and sleep. If we can do or obtain these things, we will survive. However, surviving and living are two different things. Survival is that bare bones existence where one does what they have to do to stay alive. Living is experiencing that life, to go above and beyond the basic needs of our mere existence. Surviving keeps us alive, living gives our life purpose. People live in a variety of ways and for different purposes. Those purposes even change throughout life as we grow and mature. We as musicians, would include music as a part of our living experience. Music is not all of who we are, human beings are far more complex than that. But it cer8 | The Chorister • Winter 2021
tainly plays a huge part into each of our lives and what makes us who we are. Wh e n we make music, we become fully alive. As I said before, we do not need it. We do it anyway, and we love it. We love it because we get to create something from inside of our hearts and minds, dare I say our souls, that does nothing for our survival and everything for our living. The fulness of life within someone is beautiful to behold. Perhaps you have witnessed a performer who seemed like they were glowing as they sang. There is something special about someone living their passion, and we enjoy seeing that in one another. Why bring all of this up? The year 2020 took so much away from us. Our life is not the same with such restrictions on our art form that we share a passion for. Of course, the measures we have taken are certainly necessary to ensure our safety. Our passions and ability to “live” mean nothing if we cannot first “survive.” But it is worth noting the reality that music has been muted this year in a way I have never experienced in my young life. Concert experiences are few and far between, if you have had them at all. Meeting virtually has become a standard interaction; we are missing the
human connection that is so crucial to our art form. Music feeds my soul and I love playing or singing even if I am by myself, but it would be foolish to think one could live a passionate life of music alone their whole life. At some point, we want to share this beautiful passion with others, particularly with those whom we love. I implore you my fellow musicians and educators, to focus more on the human connection this year. Let us teach the humanity of the arts and the bond we have together in music. It is no secret that we are all craving connection with one another. So, when our students and friends are bogged down with all of the extra work this pandemic has brought us, or you yourself are feeling the weight of the world: Let music connect you to those around you. We cannot always sing together, but we can hear together. We cannot always embrace each other, but we can embrace each other’s hearts. Music does this in a way nothing else can, and it is exactly why music matters: music makes us human.
Patrick McGuire Shanley High School
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The Heart and “Soul” of Mentoring
iving in a house with a jazz musician and former public school band director, Disney Pixar’s new movie “Soul” caught our attention. The premise: Joe Gardener is a middle school band director, but his dream is to be a professional jazz pianist. After a glimpse into his life as a school educator we watch him receive that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a gig with a famous female jazz musician. As he runs off after the rehearsal to dress and prepare, he happens to fall into a New York City manhole. He finds himself in the “Great Beyond” on that stairway to heaven (pun intended). Not ready for this journey, he tries to escape. Catching Joe in his fixated attempts to try to get back to earth, one of the directors of the “You Seminar” in the “Great Before” redirects him to the mentor training area. Here he observes the new souls who are missing the last piece in the development of their personality before they are sent to earth. The last piece waiting to be put into place is their “spark,” which is that thing that allows us to live a happy and productive life. It is the mentor’s job to help one of the new souls find their “spark.” For the basis of this article, that is all that needs to be said about the movie itself. However, this story line led me into some self-reflection (cue the Disney song). The concept of mentoring has always intrigued me due to the incredible personal, spiritual, artistic and educational “Joes” in my own life. As a teenager I loved helping with Vacation Bible School, being a leadership camp counselor, coaching my girls’ T-Ball team appropriately called the Sweathogs, working as a park day-camp director with neighborhood kids, and... (drumroll, please) being a choir officer. All of these were opportunities that my “Joes” offered to ignite my “spark.” As I engage in discussions with future teachers in university music ed methods courses, I often hear young educators say that they chose this profession because of their desire to mentor young people. Music was their “spark” and has now become their tool of choice to assist this effort with others. Their passion is tremendous and that, along with their understanding of some principles I have found to be true, will be important in developing their mentoring skills. Principles of Mentoring 1. Every teacher is a mentor, for good or bad 2. Mentoring involves building relationships and developing trust. www.ndacda.com | 11
3. Mentoring involves listening and asking questions as opposed to telling someone what they should do. 4. Mentoring involves helping to develop life skills (Note: developing a quality music program assists beautifully in that process). 5. Mentoring not only involves guiding, but also involves knowing when to let go As passionate as they are about mentoring, I remind these young educators that they are not expected to have all of the answers and that they need have mentors as well. Asking veteran teachers for ideas, thoughts, or opinions is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it demonstrates the desire to seek the answers from those who have the wisdom of experience. Many schools will assign a mentor teacher to a new hire. Some states, including North Dakota, fund a statewide mentoring and mentor training program. This is an excellent example of why memberships in professional organizations, like ACDA, are extremely important. You have a network of mentors at the ready! In my current position at the University of North Dakota I also get the opportunity to hear attributes and praise of the excellent teacher/mentors who have helped our collegiate students find their “spark” (many of whom may be reading this article). I am sure that those same mentors helped others find their “spark,” even if it wasn’t in the area of music because that is what great teachers do. Those are the students who send their former music teachers the notes and emails expressing the ways in which they were taught important life lessons that they want their own children to learn. Choir class was often the reason they even came to school! Others have been successful using the skills you modeled to be a leader in their world of business. Many veteran teachers will quickly admit that there are intrinsic rewards they receive through the mentoring process. In many ways their mentees have reignited their own “spark.” We are all aware of how the pandemic has affected the education system in our own schools. The impact it has had on our pre-service teachers in colleges has certainly been frustrating for those who have recently graduated or about to do so. Field Experience and Student Teaching placements, understandably, have had to flip between “live” and “remote” teaching. This has created a pool of graduates who might have less classroom experience than those in previous years. It will be imperative that administrators, as well as veteran teachers, recognize and prepare now for how best to mentor these enthusiastic, but nervous, young educators. We will all need to be more intentional about regularly checking with these new educators to see how things are doing, answer any questions that might arise, share materials, tell stories of your early days, or to encourage time for self-care. I am confident that these simple, regular gestures will be welcomed and taken to heart. Finally, we come to the preverbal question. Will we always need to seek mentoring? Even with many years of life experiences, I tell my students that I have profes12 | The Chorister • Winter 2021
sional and personal mentors in my life. To connect with some of my own professional mentors I follow them on social media, attend conferences and workshops, write that courageous email, or read about their work. Making music can be a life-long activity and I want to continue teaching, conducting, and remaining involved in some way. To connect with my personal mentors I text, talk on the phone, or have a virtual coffee. I am not the same person I was yesterday, nor have I been “this age” before. I want to draw from the strength and wisdom of those who can lead me in the ways. So for me, the answer is yes. I will choose to seek out mentors because I want to live and contribute all the way to the end. I know that they will help me find my “spark.”
Melanie Popejoy University of North Dakota NDACDA Student Activities R&R Chair
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What’s in the Folder?
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ne of my favorite parts of teaching is coming back from Christmas break and getting to start fresh with new music for the Spring! This year I’ve been blessed with a great group of boys in my High School Choir that truly sing out so I’ve chosen some titles that showcase them. “Tshotsholoza (Go Forward)” Traditional South African Freedom Song Arr. Jeffery L. Ames (SATB divisi/a cappella) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osxx_IJ3KBY This is one of my all-time favorites and I knew that I had to bring it out this year! This features a strong tenor solo throughout the piece. There is a piano accompaniment included for rehearsal purposes and a conga and djembe accompaniment as well. There is also a TTBB arrangement available. “Oceans and Stars” Amy Bernon SATB (also available in 3-pt Mixed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKH6zmNMB7E If you are not familiar with composer, Amy Bernon I highly suggest to check her music out! I love her beautiful harmonies which she sets to meaningful text. “Oceans and Stars” offers several thoughtful questions to contemplate throughout such as, “Friend, what will you see on your long journey? River, what adventures do you seek…?” I have done this for festival and also Graduation. “Clouds” Zach Sobiech Arr. Greg Gilpin SATB (also available in SAB and 2-part) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n391WWFj2k The story of 17-year old Zach Sobiech was recently turned into a wonderful movie on Disney Plus titled, “Clouds”. Sobiech wrote this beautiful song after being given the news that he only had a year to live. It’s a powerful song that your students will 14 | The Chorister • Winter 2021
instantly love. I have performed this with my students before the movie came out and the lyrics led to some meaningful conversations within our class. Definitely worth checking out! “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” Arr. Jerry Estes TTB (also available for SAB) https://www.alfred.com/poor-wayfaring-stranger/p/00-17703/ We’re all familiar with this traditional folk song, but your boys will love this strong, rhythmic arrangement from Estes. The basses maintain the traditional melody throughout and later the tenors bring in a fun countermelody. I feel that it keeps the tenors in a very comfortable range throughout. We’ve chosen to do this for festival, but the SAB arrangement could work great with mixed voices. “Farvel” Daniel Pederson SATB https://www.jwpepper.com/Farvel/10031251.item#/submit This beautiful selection from Pederson is based on the text of a farewell poem by Halvor Langslet. The text is heartfelt and filled with emotion. The melody is shared by all parts throughout the piece and it continues to build up to a short a cappella section that will showcase your students. I hope that you have been able to recharge and come back refreshed for 2021! Hopefully these selections will give you some ideas for future programming. Wishing you all the best!!
Lacey Hanson Center-Stanton School NDACDA Middle-School Honor Choirs Co-Chair
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Photo Credit: jamsthebest on Pixabay