OCDA Professional Association Report

OCDA PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION REPORT

BRANDON L. MOSS, OCDA PRESIDENT

As I begin my term as president of the Ohio Choral Directors Association (OCDA), I return to the question I am sometimes asked by those who teach choral music throughout the state: “Why should I be a member of OCDA?” As an affiliate chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, OCDA is privy to the many resources our national organization provides, such as Choral Journal, the online publication ChorTeach (geared specifically toward classroom teachers), access to ChoralNet (an online forum for choral directors), and regional and national conferences that inspire with stellar performances and exposure to new repertoire - but OCDA also offers many unique opportunities in-state for its members.

Our annual summer conference features national headliner clinicians, reading sessions packed with dozens of new pieces, performances by some of Ohio’s best choirs, and outstanding networking opportunities. This year’s conference headliners will include Jacob Narverud (composer of “Lunar Lullaby,” “Sisi ni moja,” and “Jambo”). OCDA Summer Conference also provides opportunities for Ohio students through the Children’s Honor Choir and High School Men’s and Women’s Honors Choruses.

In the spring, OCDA joins with many OMEA districts to sponsor an Elementary Choir Festival. Here, elementary school choirs sing for a clinician who then works with each ensemble. Participating choirs then join together for one or more combined numbers with the clinician conducting. This is still a growing endeavor, but this year, OCDA hopes to offer festivals in the Northeast and Northwest Regions, with the prospect of adding more regions next year.

OCDA publishes three newsletters per year in the form of OCDA News, an online publication that features practical and inspirational articles written by state leaders in the field. Anyone is welcome to submit articles for OCDA News.

Additionally, OCDA offers a mentorship program for young choral directors throughout the state. Those interested are paired with a seasoned director who will observe and then work with them individually on teaching and conducting strategies, as well as offer tips for navigating the professional world of choral directing.

OCDA provides many services to teachers during the year, sponsoring three choral reading sessions at the OMEA Conference, as well as other interest sessions in the choral area. Our Repertoire and Resources chairs are highly experienced in their individual areas and are available to assist other directors. The OCDA website (www.ohiocda.org) has a jobs bulletin for postings in the state and features past years’ repertoire lists from reading sessions at both OMEA and OCDA conferences.

I hope that those who are not members of OCDA will strongly consider becoming one. As a choral director, I find that the resources, experiences, and opportunities the organization provides are ones that allow me to be the best teacher possible for my students and that sustain me on the toughest days of my work. I encourage everyone to explore our website and to reach out to any of our board members if we might be of assistance. I wish everyone a great year of memorable music-making!

Brandon Moss serves as Director of Choirs at Central Crossing High School in Grove City, where he teaches five choirs. He is also Director of Music and Chalice Choir at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbus. Moss recently served as President of OMEA District 15 and has twice chaired the Ohio All-State Choir. He holds degrees from Otterbein University and The Ohio State University, where he is completing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting.