Excitement in the Air

Greetings colleagues! I hope this article finds you well-rested and with renewed purpose. For me, the summer went by faster than ever, and I was the slowest tortoise in the race getting started on the new academic year! But the energy and excitement of the new and returning students here at UND is at an all-time high. Being able to sing without masks, see each other’s smiles and not face so many “what-if’s” associated with the pandemic feels like a return to normalcy. And as a member and president of the NDACDA, I am looking forward to another great year in this organization! I would like to remind you of some things going on in NDACDA to help make that happen.

We are always looking for new board members and help with the NDACDA Conference, Surround the State in Song, High School and Collegiate Honor Choirs, Mixed Honor Choir, and the Show Choir Festival. If interested please contact me dean.jilek@und.edu.

Sheldon Weltz, our treasurer, will retire at the end of the fiscal year. We ask anyone who is interested in this position to email me dean.jilek@und.edu. We would like the new treasurer to be mentored by Sheldon to help with the transition.

Are you interested in presenting at the NDACDA Conference on February 3 & 4 at Bismarck High School? Please email our conference chair President-Elect Connie Stordalen connie_stordalen@bismarckschools.org.

The annual Sing Up! ACDA membership drive runs until October 15. Be sure to renew your membership and invite your colleagues to join as well. We encourage new teachers to make connections with professional colleagues through our organization. ACDA allows us to offer so many wonderful opportunities for our students and our music directors. Please email Cheryl McIntyre for new member sign-up at Cheryl.McIntyre@k12.nd.us.

Did You Know When You Join ACDA... • During your first two years of teaching, you can attend our State Conference FREE of charge? • You will receive a monthly copy of the Choral Journal? • You will join a network of professionals to provide you with years of inspiration and support? • You are invited to attend professional conferences that will greatly benefit your teaching and students? • You will have access to numerable online choral & vocal resources?

Please consider auditioning your ensemble for the showcase concert performance at the NDACDA Conference in February. Postmark deadline is November 15. Find the application directions under Documents on the NDACDA website.

Take time and nominate a deserving experienced choral director and/or a new choral director for the Choral Director and New Choral Director Award. Information can be found under Documents on the NDACDA website.

For more information and director resources please visit ndacda.com.

Musically,

University of North Dakota NDACDA President