Texas Sings Fall 2014

Texas Choral Directors Association 7900 Centre Park Drive, Suite A Austin, Texas 78754

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GILBERTSON

GACKLE

TAYLOR

BERRIER

BROCKWAYNICHOLS

RICE

HOBIZAL

LUTZ

TALLEY

GALLAGHER Volume 31 Number 3

Official Publication of the Texas Choral Directors Association

Fall 2014

TEXAS SINGS!

HOLD THE DATE:

July 23–26, 2015 TCDA Celebrates 60 Years

Don’t Miss It!

TEXAS SINGS! TEXAS CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Volume 31

Number 3

Fall 2014

President Billy Talley, Amarillo

contents

Past President Jeff Rice, Waco

President’s Page It’s My Party and I’ll Sing If I Want To

by Billy Talley

4

2014 Scholarship Recipients and Donors

5

2014 Financial Report

6

2014 Awards

8

In Memoriam

9

President-Elect Kari Gilbertson, Richardson College/Community Vice President Lynne Gackle, Waco High School Vice President Robin Brockway-Nichols, Carrollton Middle School/Junior High Vice President Jennifer Gallagher, Pearland Elementary Vice President Michele Hobizal, Katy Church Vice President Joshua Taylor, Dallas Secretary/Treasurer Terry Berrier, Richardson Executive Director Sharon Lutz, Austin

True Tales of a Music Teacher My 1st TCDA

by Jasmine Reed

10

The Suggestion Box

by Sharon Lutz

12

TCDA Celebrates 60 Years: How It Happened

13

On the cover: Your 2014–2015 TCDA Officers

Renew or Join TCDA at www.tcda.net Recruit a Colleague

TEXAS SINGS! Editor Beverly Schlegel Layout and Design Ben White, Lubbock Official Publication of the Texas Choral Directors Association 7900 Centre Park Drive, Suite A Austin, Texas 78754 512-474-2801 www.tcda.net © 2014 Texas Choral Directors Association No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Executive Director.

Get Involved – Volunteer at Convention Check website for registration deadlines and exciting 60th convention plans!

Future Convention Dates July 23–26, 2015 (60th Anniversary) July 21–24, 2016 July 20–23, 2017 July 26–29, 2018

TCDA is an affiliate of ACDA. Fall 2014 · Texas Sings!

3

PRESIDENT B I L L Y

T A L L E Y

It’s My Party and I’ll Sing If I Want To

T

his coming year will be a year of significant milestones in my life. I will be celebrating my 60th birthday in March. Then in July, I will have the honor of presiding over the 60th Anniversary Convention of the Texas Choral Directors Association. While I am doing my best to age as gracefully as possible, I realize I am fighting a losing battle. My knees creak. I’ve lost some higher frequencies in my hearing (which is sometimes not a bad thing, if you know what I mean).

And the gray hairs continue their hostile takeover of my head. Thankfully, TCDA is handling its 60th much better than I! We realize we cannot be relevant to today’s choral directors if we remain “your grandmother’s TCDA.” Great strides were made at the 2014 Convention with increased use of technology and workshops that appealed to young and old alike. With a record number of presenters, volunteers, and workshops, many of you had the chance to “get in the game.” And we sang together as over 700 musicians experienced the Mozart REQUIEM during our first-ever Sing-In. Now it is time to plan a party! And it will be a party you simply cannot miss. Mark your calendar today for July 23–26, 2015 in beautiful San Antonio. Your Board is planning a celebration fitting for the greatest group of music educators in the country. More details will follow as the year progresses, but here are some of the highlights: • Thirteen new music reading sessions (still an important part of who we are) • Andrea Ramsey conducting a Middle School/ Junior High Honor Chorus • Sandra Snow conducting a Directors Chorus • Commissioned works by Dominick DiOrio and Susan LaBarr • Encore Sing-In concert of Schubert’s Mass in G • High School Student Day • Twenty-six workshops presented by Texas’s finest choir directors and music teachers We will continue to make changes in the way we do things. Poll Everywhere was introduced at the

4

Texas Sings! · Fall 2014

2014 Convention and will be expanded to more divisions in 2015. We will be increasing our presence on Facebook, Twitter, and other areas of social media. One very big change will be in the way we vote for our Board. For the 2015 election, voting will take place online. The old paper ballots will no longer be used and the online process will be used for regular and runoff voting.

Our Golf Tournament will keep its four-person scramble format but will move to Republic Golf Course. Cost will be reduced from $75 to a more affordable $50. The tournament will take place on Thursday, July 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Watch the TCDA website for details. We are also in the formative stages of creating a Fun Run for TCDA members.

Your Board is planning a celebration fitting for the greatest group of music educators in the country.

There were fifty-one submissions for workshops at the 2015 Convention. That is amazing! It is apparent that we have many talented directors who are willing to share their area of expertise with the membership. Obviously, we cannot honor every request for workshop presentation, but we are using eighteen of those workshops this summer.

Thanks to everyone who submitted.

We are also working to present a special Saturday evening concert as part of our 60th Anniversary.

Watch for details in the coming months. The TCDA Board is working diligently to make the 2015 60th Anniversary Convention our best ever. And more than ever before, we want you to be there to celebrate with us! TCDA is about choral music. TCDA is about relevant, meaningful workshops. TCDA is about outstanding choral performances. But most of all, TCDA is about all of us coming together as a choral community. We want you to be with us in San Antonio this July 23–26, 2015. We only celebrate 60 years once. You won’t want to miss this one.

2014 TCDA Scholarship Recipients

We are very proud of our 2014 scholarship recipients!

Left to right: President Billy Talley, Juan Mendoza, Andrea Horton, Dylan Corder, Julie Brinkman, Daniel Bouchard, Seth Johnston, Kelsi Fletcher, Past President Jeff Rice. Not pictured: Travis Baldwin, Katie Hunter, Heather Klossner, Darla Meek.

Travis Baldwin

Katie Hunter

Daniel Bouchard

Seth Johnston

Julie Brinkman

Heather Klossner

Dylan Corder

Darla Meek

Kelsi Fletcher

Juan Mendoza

Florida State University – JIM AND GLENDA CASEY Southern Methodist University – PAST PRESIDENTS Abilene Christian University – CLOYD WEBB Baylor University – LIZ VOLK

University of Houston – JACKIE COCKE Texas A&M University (Commerce) – WILLIAM GORHAM Eastman School of Music, Univ of Rochester – GANDY INK Texas A&M University (Commerce) – ABBOTT IPCO

Texas Tech University – GENERAL FUND

Baylor University – GENERAL FUND

Andrea Horton

Baylor University – DONALD BAILEY

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP DONORS Pamela Abasolo Chris Ahrens Kimberley Ahrens Joseph Akers Amy Allibon Janet Allphin Kathryn Amshoff Travis Angel Donald Bailey Dan Baker Mark Baker Patricia Balmer Debra Barkey Mason Barlow Carroll Barnes Susan Bartos Carol Barwick Terry Berrier Carolyn Beseda Cora Bigwood Michelle Bilek Rick Bjella Valerie Blackburn Erin Bodhaine Patricia Bonner Derrick Bready Robin Brockway-Nichols Dianne Brumley Mary Kay Buehler Rebekah Bulen Lyndel Bull Susan Burt Roni Carrasco Jennifer Carter

Linda Cassidy Nicole Catoire Betsy Clark Ashley Coffey Mario Contreras Karen Cook Mary Cowart Nancy Crownover Andrea Cruz Debbie & Rusty Daniel Lauren Dastmalchian Donna Davis Linda Davis Susan Dawes Julie De Hoyos Ashley Delaney Danny Detrick Betty Devine Michele Dial Danny Dixon Robert Draper Cindy & Dennis Dunn Denise Eaton Pam Elam Pamela Elrod Marc Erck Stephanie Ertel Erin Evans Christopher Fiorini Bette Fisher Charles Flores Judy Foster Lynne Gackle Jeanie Gainey

Susan Galentine Jennifer Gallagher Gandy Ink Gershom Garcia Ricardo Garza Elodie JO Gasca Kimberly Gibson Kari Gilbertson Rebecca Ginez Mary Glennon Karen Gonzalez Connie Goodwin Charles & Shelba Gorham Bell Caitlyn Griffith Eileen Guinon Janey Hall Clinton Hardy Emily Hatzel Greg Haugen Alison Haygood Heights Community Children’s Choir Karen Herrera Bethany Hill Michele Hobizal Mary Lynn Hokett Linda Holkup Robyn Hollimon Randy Hooper Joan Howey Austin Ishee Molly Jackson-McConville

Judith James Dianna L Jarvis Katherine Johns Katherine Johnson Stephen Johnson Cindy Johnston Randy Jordan Donald Kearney Maureen Keton Evan Key Phyllis King Vicke King Heather Klossner Carole Krueger Elizabeth Kulbeth Michelle Kyral Cheri Lafferty Laura Lane Alex Leal James Lee Clara Lewis Grace Littlefield Andrea Loer Lelah Loftin Maria Lorentzen Carl Lorey Tonya Lovorn Fidel Lozano Sharon Lutz Michael Lysinger Gary Mabry Jennifer Marrero Jay Martin Katherine Martin

Melissa Massie Constance Matheny Sandra Mattson Alan McClung Leigh Ann McClure Candy McComb Marguerite McCormick Jerry McCoy Caia McCullar Joshua McGuire James McLendon Darla Meek Sandra Messbarger Helen Miers Connie Miserak Alex Morgan Debra Moses Trina Myers Cara Naizer Susan Neff Patricia Neighbors Sheri Neill Steven Nelms Courtney Neva Gerald Nicholas Veda Ojeda Rolando Orta Janwin Overstreet-Goode Ashley Owen Kay Owens Lauren Padilla Sam Parrott

Tracey Patterson Deborah Payne Jerry Perales Kelly Pfaffenberger Mary Jane Phillips Robert Phillips Terri Preskitt-Brown Joel Price Sara Proodian Milton Pullen Sean Pullen Laurie Purcell Carol Pyle Gloria Quinlan Laura Rachita Jannifer Rice Jeffery Rice Dennis Richardson Ouida Richardson Kayla Rigney David Rives Jennifer Robbins Amanda Robison Mark Rohwer Maria Roos Michael Rosensteel Michelle Roueche Royse City ISD Woody Schober Sally Schott Kendall Seuser Greg Shapley Crystal Sharadin Heather Sharp

Kaylyn Sharp Laura Sharpless Sandy Shelley Kay Sherrill Steven Sifner Roxan Silva Marsha Spinner Mackie Spradley Ralph Stannard Jylyce Staples Gloria Stephens Robert Stovall Sandra Strickhouser Martha Surface Richard Surface Billy Talley Karen Tanner Lonnie Tanner Irma Taute Nikki Thompson Cherrie Townsend Danielle Travis Anna Trawick Ann Treleven Mike Ware Rachel Warmanen Betsy Weber Joe Weir Kitty Williams Dorothy Wilson Renee Wilson Jean Wood Lyn Zeller

Fall 2014 · Texas Sings!

5

TCDA 2014 Financial Report Texas Choral Directors Association Scholarship Report as of September 30, 2014

Sep 30, 2014 Scholarships Beginnning Balance, 1/1/2014 162,540.95 Contributions to 9/30/2014 13,616.00 Awards paid -13,500.00 Adjustments (gains/losses, other) 4,227.54 Scholarship balance, 9/30/2014

166,884.49

Scholarships funded by Abbott-IPCO & Gandy Ink Abbott-IPCO 500.00 Gandy Ink 1,000.00

Texas Choral Directors Association Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2014

ASSETS Current Assets Checking/Savings Bank of America, Checking Petty Cash Total Checking/Savings

Sep 30, 2014

152,045 50 152,095

Other Current Assets Scholarships 166,884 Accounts Receivable, Gen 900 Accounts Receivable, NSF 357 Accounts Receivable, TODA 565 Accts Rec, Magazine 1,377 Lincoln Financial Investments 107,916 Prepaid Exp, Bulk Postage 889 Prepaid Exp, Convention 1,250 Total Other Current Assets 280,138 Total Current Assets

432,233

Fixed Assets Depreciation Reserve Fixed Assets, Electronics Office Furniture/Equipment

-26,579 20,031 11,840

Total Fixed Assets TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities Current Liabilities Other Current Liabilities Accts Payable, ACDA Accounts Payable, TODA Sch Payable, Bank of Amer Sch Payable, Lincoln Fin Soc Sec/Medicare, FICA Total Other Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Total Liabilities

5,292 437,525

45 7,184 5,905 -6,589 2,663 9,208 9,208 9,208

Equity Opening Balance Equity Net Assets, Restricted Net Income Total Equity

151,613 166,884 109,820 428,317

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY

437,525

Texas Choral Directors Association Revenue & Expenses thru the 3rd Quarter For Fiscal Year Jan 1-Dec 31, 2014

Jan-Sep 2014 Income Convention Income Honor Choir Income 24,235 Exhibit Rents 97,414 Festival Chorus 7,260 Golf Tournament 2,150 High School Day 7,275 Member Souvenirs 597 Registration Fees 174,832 Showcases 1,140 Sponsor Fees 7,270 Sustaining Dues 6,655 Total Convention Income 328,828 Operating Income Collection Fees, ACDA Membership Dues Miscellaneous Income Royalties/List Sales Shared Office Income Total Operating Income

6,760 81,870 350 382 2,400 91,762

Publications Inc Magazine Advertising Total Publications Inc

10,474 10,474

Total Income

431,064

Expense Administrative Exp

140,198

Convention Expenses Advertising/Promo 5,290 Audio/Visual 26,070 Auto Expense 342 Child Care 1,172 Contract Labor 798 Decorating 19,864 Facilities Rents 17,501 First Aid 271 Golf Tournament 1,702 Honoraria, Clinicians 100 HS Day Expense 1,719 Functions 23,894 Miscellaneous 306 On-site computers 4,324 Photography 1,788 Piano and Organ Rentals 2,937 Printing and Supplies 1,521 Security 3,611 Student Assistants 475 Travel/Lodging, Clinic 681 Total Convention Expenses 114,366 Directors’ Expenses Board Meals Travel, Directors Total Directors’ Expenses Festival Chorus Exp Honor Choir Exp Other Program Exp Commissioned Work Commissioned Work Exp Total Other Program Exp

Total Expense

Texas Sings! · Fall 2014

2,928 15,602 1,250 750 2,000

Publications Exp 21,333 Technology 9,399 Net Income

6

6,151 14,156 20,307

326,133 104,931

Advertising • Sponsorship • Support Texas Sings! is the official publication of TCDA, serving over 1600 choral directors in Texas and representing elementary, middle school, high school, college, and church.

Texas Sings! is our main vehicle to communicate with our membership and to promote the choral arts within our state. Published in April (pre-convention) and October (postconvention), Texas Sings! is a valuable venue to advertise your choral programs and events such as summer camps and choral tours, and showcase your educational tools and products to Texas decision-makers.

The TCDA Convention Program includes a complete list of convention activities and events, performing groups, headliners and clinicians, exhibitor information, and much more. It is distributed to all convention attendees on-site at our July event.

Advertising and Sponsorship are great ways to promote your products and services and support the choral arts!

Call TCDA at 512-474-2801 for more information or visit www.tcda.net.

Performance Tours Music Festivals/Workshops Educational Tours National Parades/Bowl Games Cruises

Fall 2014 · Texas Sings!

7

2014 TCDA Awards Young Director of Distinction This award recognizes outstanding young directors who have achieved significant accomplishments in their careers within their first five years of teaching. This year’s recipients are Hollyn Griffin, Clinton Hardy, and Briana Kruse.

Hollyn Griffin, Cooper HS, Abilene

Clinton Hardy, Central HS, Fort Worth

Distinguished Choirmaster Award Not awarded every year, recipients are selected by the TCDA Board. Criteria includes superior choral conducting and musicianship skill, with many years of performance success.

This year’s recipient is Loyd Hawthorne.

Briana Kruse, Klein Collins HS, Spring

Service Award Not awarded every year, recipients are selected by the TCDA Board. Criteria includes unusual or unique service to TCDA. This year’s recipient is Lu Marler.

Lu Marler, JW Pepper, Dallas

Loyd Hawthorne, Abilene Visit www.tcda.net for full listing of award recipients, criteria, and application deadlines. TCDA welcomes member recommendations for Young Director of Distinction and Choral Excellence Awards.

8

Texas Sings! · Fall 2014

Choral Excellence Award This award is based on contributions to choral music in Texas for mentoring and inspiring colleagues and students as well as continued advocacy for the future of choral singing. This year’s recipients are Kathy Hackett, Stan McGill, and Randy Talley.

Kathy Hackett, Plano West Senior HS, Plano

Stan McGill, Highland Park HS (retired 2008), Garland

in memoriam

Dr. Elwood Brown of Corpus Christi – July 26, 2014 Lee Ann Elgin of Kingwood – July 15, 2014 Jim Henderson of Garland – February 27, 2014 Andy Jeff Ingham of Amarillo – November 27, 2013 Dr. J. Marvin Pollard of Lewisville –June 30, 2014 Mary Elizabeth Taylor of Early – August 2, 2014 Millicent Wiley of Kingsville – June 25, 2014

Randy Talley, Ector County ISD (retired 2011), Garland

Please Support the Future of Choral Directing Give to the TCDA Scholarship Funds

Thank You! visit www.tcda.net for details and online contributions or call us at 512-474-2801

Fall 2014 · Texas Sings!

9

Currently, I am sitting with a blanket on my head, trying to shield myself from the frozen tundra blowing from my air vents while Avatar: The Last Airbender is playing on my iPad. This is my way of recovering from the amazing few days I have spent in San Antonio for TCDA. TCDA, or the Texas Choral Directors Association, holds a convention for choral directors, like me to attend every summer. The sessions that are held are usually tailored to the specific age groups that you teach. After attending several reading sessions, going on 4 informative speed dates, becoming a little more tech savvy, listening to a wonderful honor choir, learning how to plan a spectacular pop show, and having my mind blown by a short, but sweet shape note presentation—I feel like I came away with so many tips, tricks, and tools that I am ready and willing to implement in my classroom.

This was my first TCDA convention that I attended and I can say without a doubt, that I feel overwhelmed and also extremely excited for my second year of teaching.

Now, if you’re wondering, “Why is this only her 1st TCDA?! How has she not attended one of these conventions before?” You are asking the correct questions and believe it or not, I’m asking myself the exact same thing.

Honestly, when I was told in college, YES—COLLEGE, that I should attend this convention, I didn’t have the correct mindset or drive that quickly developed later. My summer was my summer and I didn’t want to give a few days up. How selfish, right? After that year, my excuses became a little more plausible. I didn’t have transportation or the funding for it, it fell on a bad week, but mostly, I didn’t know what to expect. I was scared, but actually going to TCDA was the way to go.

My TCDA faves Reading sessions: These were probably the most beneficial for me. I always have problems programming and finding music for my ensembles.

I don’t know where to start and just looking at the piece of music doesn’t help me much. In these sessions, we had talented clinicians and accompanists lead us through the pieces as we sight-read. It wasn’t always perfect, but it was incredibly helpful!

Speed dating: Those 4 dates I mentioned earlier were with 4 incredible women who had so much knowledge to share.

Picture it—you walk into Ballroom A, you’re handed a colored card, you’re seated in that section, and the information starts flying!

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Texas Sings! · Fall 2014

At first, I was a little weary. When it started there was a lot of talking simultaneously, but once I stopped and focused on what was being presented to me, I was so engaged that all of the chatter didn’t matter. Each speaker only had about 10 minutes to present and after our 4 dates, we had the chance to choose our second date with the speaker of our choice for a quick Q & A. Everything from classroom management, organization, score prep/reading, recruiting, and retention was covered in an hour. It’s a genius idea! The information we received was clear, concise, and can definitely be used in every classroom. iUse Technology: Practical Solutions to Up Your Tech Savvy: So, if you’re on FB and you’re friends with me, you can see that I starred in a little film made by my friend, Melissa. I served as handout coordinator on a fabulous team that delivered so much to so many. I now know how to edit a song in Garageband thanks to Melissa. I also plan on using my Google drive that the school set up for me because honestly, the possibilities are endless.

I am also seriously determined to put together an amazing iMovie for recruitment this coming year because I have the tools that I need...and now I know how to use them.

Of course, there were other sessions that delivered tons of information and I attended as many as I could. I feel like I made the most of my 1st convention and no, it will not be my last.

It’s a fantastic few days jam-packed with information that can only help you grow as a choral educator. So, if you happen to be a high school student, a freshman starting college, a 1st year teacher, or if you’ve been teaching for 20 years, I honestly believe TCDA has something to offer you!

So, I’ll see you at convention next summer! Yea? Yea! Thanks for reading!

Jasmine EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT: TODA and TBA (the orchestra and band associations) hold their conventions at the exact same time and I have a friend who sang praises about the information he received!

Posted by Jasmine Reed at 7:48 PM

Texas Lutheran University School of Music

SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS Scholarships are available for both music and non-music majors.

These awards are intended to provide recognition for scholarship and talent in the study of music.

For specific qualifications for each award, visit tlu.edu/music, or scan the QR code at the bottom right with your smartphone.

SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION DATES: Saturday, January 17, 2015 Sunday, February 22, 2015 Saturday, March 28, 2015 Saturday, April 25, 2015

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN ALL-LEVEL MUSIC EDUCATION BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN PERFORMANCE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC

SCHOOL OF MUSIC DEPARTMENT HEADS Douglas R. Boyer Director, School of Music and Director of Choral Activities dboyer@tlu.edu 830.372.6869 or 800.771.8521 Beth Bronk Director of Bands bbronk@tlu.edu Shaaron Conoly Director of Vocal Studies sconoly@tlu.edu Eric Daub Director of Piano Studies edaub@tlu.edu Eliza Thomason Director of Strings ethomason@tlu.edu

Thanks for your great feedback. We were very pleased with the outcome of the 59th TCDA Convention, and we hope you received new ideas and inspiration to start the school year.

While we cannot publish all comments, we have captured a summary of them below. A few comments were unanimous: the Sing-In was hugely successful and well attended. Many of you suggested we repeat it, which we plan to do. The Middle School workshops were mentioned by many of you as being both relevant and useful. Poll Everywhere was a popular tool and we plan to use it more extensively. All in all, we received positive feedback from attendees. Your comments as always are important in keeping our convention relevant, fun, and unique to our membership.

by Sharon Lutz

Workshops/Reading Sessions • What a fabulous convention! Thomas Rinn’s session was so helpful. Dinah’s “Amazing Race” was amazing. The Ken Davis Chorale was magnificent, as was the touching worship service. I find the reading sessions helpful and I usually find many titles I can use.

• I especially enjoyed the middle school sessions. It was wonderful to see so many new faces. I loved the format of 3-4 presenters with 10-15 minutes of extremely relevant, practical information. It held my attention and I have lots of “gems” to take back to my classroom.

“Speed Dating” was my favorite! A fun, fresh concept. All four presenters were extremely helpful. I wish we had a little more time for Q & A. • Middle school sessions were very innovative. Seeing lots of volunteers working all sessions brought energy to the convention. Please make this a standard M/O. On projection screens: one large screen in center of room may be more effective than one or two to the side.

• The music in the MS/JH Treble was ALL good; every single piece. Loved every session the MS/JH Division offered. New and innovative.

• I would like to see the Pop/Jazz reading session split into two different sessions. This year it seemed like the majority of the music was jazz.

• I really like being able to text questions to a mediator.

Great use of technology!

• Loved the panel formats. Great themes and unified power points.

• Especially liked Tried and Proven, the New Teacher Academy, In the Beginning, The Office, Speed Dating, iUse Technology, and the Requiem.

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Texas Sings! · Fall 2014

• On Church sessions, consider spreading the schedule over the balance of at least two days, if not three. Day one is heavy schedule-wise. Workshops could use more practical info. Where is support for the smaller churches?

• I feel cheated with the four-part hymns in the worship service. It is always a high point to sing the hymns in glorious harmony. The simple unison hymns left much to be desired in an otherwise good service. As a logistical glitch, having speakers walk up and down instead of being on the platform left dead spots in an otherwise smooth flowing service.

• Thank you for including an SAB session; it is so important.

Other Comments • Keep the Sing-In! We could try something else: Brahms?

Faure? The Beethoven Missa solemnis or Durufle?

• College Student Conducting Session should not be at the same time as the All-State Meeting. Many of us high school directors want to see our college students and we want to encourage them at that session.

• A few items need more description. What is “College Conductor Rehearsal”?

• Bring back the BBQ! • A lot of members have many bags from past conventions or bring our own bags. It might be a good idea to ask members if they want a bag when they register. It would save money and help the environment.

• How about establishing a couple of small scholarships to assist a teacher of an urban school program who can’t afford to attend the convention?

60 60

TCDA Celebrates 60 Years: How It Happened

Texas music history was in the making October 25, 1955, when some twenty-five choral directors from TMEA, Region 10, met in Dallas. The meeting was called by Earl Tom Keel, Region 10, Vocal Chairman, in collaboration with Jack Mahan, Past President of TMEA. The prime purpose of the meeting was to devise a plan by which the choral music program of Texas in all of its phases might be advanced through the help of a new music reading clinic. In planning such an activity the TMEA, its security and advancement were kept paramount.

The date of the first reading clinic was June 24–26, 1956, at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. The first President of TCDA was Earl Tom Keel.

At the initial clinic between ninety and a hundred people attended the sessions devoted to the reading of over three hundred new numbers released by some forty publishers. All sections of Texas were well represented and choral Earl Tom Keel directors from as far away as San Francisco were shown on the register. There were two firms exhibiting.

Choral directors that conducted the first clinic included Wayne Bedford, Ed Hatchett, Herrold Headley, Dan Burkholder, Cothburn O’Neal, Roy Johnson, Travis Shelton, and Frank McKinley. A luncheon given in Parlor A of the Adolphus Hotel was the social highlight of the clinic. The following officers were elected for a two-year period: Earl Tom Keel, President; Herbert Teat, Vice President; Flora Lee Pope, Secretary-Treasurer.

The second annual clinic was held in Dallas June 9–11, 1957 and approximately 75 persons attended. During August of 1957 some of the members attended the TBA clinic to observe the organization’s method of operation. In their discussions these TCDA members decided that TCDA would benefit by moving its convention to San Antonio and operating the clinic in a manner similar to that of TBA. Graduate students at North Texas made up the chorus for the first The next year, the third annual TCDA clinic was held in San TCDA New Music Reading Sessions in Dallas, Texas. Left to right: Ed Antonio August 20–22, 1958 at the Gunter Hotel. Entertainment Hatchet, Jim Ramsey, Unknown, Hugh Ellison, Cloys Webb, Bill Hunt, was provided by Thomas Jefferson High School. The presentaand Ed Stone. tion was “Trouble in Tahiti” by Leonard Bernstein. At the business meeting, the board presented a new constitution to the assembly and it was unanimously adopted. Two new officers were electStart Each Day With A Song Not everyone is endowed with a beautiful voice. But everyone can ed: Alfred Skoog, Historian-Parliamentarian and Karl Hickfang, learn to use their voice correctly. Children as well as adults can learn Sergeant-at-Arms. to sing correctly. As they mature they will continue to sing correctly in In February 1959, Al Skoog wrote to TCDA members in prepatheir schools, in their homes, during every hour of the day. ration of the 4th TCDA Reading Clinic held in San Antonio August 19–21, 1959: The 1959 meeting of TCDA will be a Jim-Dandy, The Texas Choirmaster, November 1959 Bang-Up, Swell-Elegant “GATHERING” and promises to be even We are all constantly in need of new repertoire. The TCDA will help you more complete in unity, organization, and general all-around fun, meet this need through its NEW MUSIC READING CLINIC. The TCDA is if your smiling face is seen among those present. Your “face” will also designed to promote and maintain the professional standards of benefit, but even more will be the smiles at the close of these the choral director and to meet the expanded growth of choral music THREE MAGNIFICENT DAYS. We predict for you a smiling spirit, a in Texas. smiling attitude, and a smiling personality! You, too, will say withLetter to TCDA members from Earl Tom Keel, out qualification, “What an inspirational group are these memPresident, May 14, 1957 bers of the Texas Choral Directors Association.”

At the 4th clinic in 1959, two elementary sessions were held I don’t know whether you are looking for an alarmist, but I am a little and were so successful, during the business meeting an elemenbit alarmed, so I will alarm you a little. Most of you are active in the tary division was officially established. public schools; it is my humble opinion that as go the public schools, And So TCDA Was Born... Thank you for being a part of it. then go the colleges and the churches, because if we don’t get a large Come celebrate with us in San Antonio July 23–26! majority of kiddos trained in choral music, there is not going to be

YEARS 1955

Stay Tuned for More Exciting News about our 60th Anniversary Celebration!

2015

much in the colleges or the churches.

Excerpt from a talk given by F. W. Savage at the TCDA New Music Reading Clinic in San Antonio, August 20, 1959 Fall 2014 · Texas Sings!

13

ATTEND JULY 23–26, 2015 CONVENTION Great Clinicians * Interactive Workshops * Networking * Lifelong Friendships Professional Choirs and Performing Groups * Inspiration * Discount for First-Year Teachers New Teacher Academy * Lots of Fun in San Antonio

And Lots More!

Come See Us at TMEA February 11–14, 2015!

A Very Special Thanks We offer our sincere appreciation to our 2014 Convention Exhibitors, Advertisers and Sponsors. We couldn’t do it without your support.

A heartfelt thanks to our many dedicated hard working volunteers. YOU made our convention a huge success.

14

Texas Sings! · Fall 2014

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