American Choral Directors Association

American Choral Directors Association. The American Choral Directors Association is a major professional organization dedicated to excellence in choral music across the United States. Founded in 1959, it serves choral directors, educators, composers, and students through publications, national and regional events, and advocacy. With a membership of approximately 22,000, it is a leading voice in promoting artistic choral performance and music education.

History

The organization was established in 1959 at a meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, spearheaded by prominent figures including Raymond F. Dvorak of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Harold A. Decker from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Elwood J. Keister of the University of Colorado Boulder. Its formation addressed a growing need for a unified national body to elevate choral standards, distinct from broader groups like the Music Teachers National Association. Early growth was rapid, with the first national convention held in 1960 in Cincinnati. Key historical milestones include the founding of its official journal, *The Choral Journal*, and the establishment of permanent headquarters in Lawton, Oklahoma, later moving to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Organization and governance

The association is governed by a national board of directors, which includes a president, president-elect, and vice-presidents representing its seven geographic divisions: North Central Division, Northwestern Division, Southern Division, Southwestern Division, Eastern Division, Western Division, and Central Division. The national executive director, a position long held by Gene Brooks and currently by Tim Sharp, oversees daily operations from the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma office. Membership is organized into state chapters, each with its own leadership, and includes special interest groups for collegiate chapters, ethnic and multicultural perspectives, and choral music in the church.

Publications and resources

Its primary publication is *The Choral Journal*, a monthly scholarly periodical featuring research articles, repertoire reviews, and pedagogical techniques. Other significant publications include the *ChorTeach* online newsletter and monographs from the Julius Herford Prize for outstanding doctoral dissertations. The association provides extensive resources such as the *National Repertoire & Standards Committee* guidelines, a comprehensive online library of choral scores, and career development materials. It also collaborates with entities like the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts on archival and educational projects.

Conventions and events

It organizes a major national convention biennially, held in cities like Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Kansas City, featuring performances by invited choirs, reading sessions, and research presentations. Each of its seven divisions holds a regional convention annually, such as the Southern Division conference in Memphis or the Western Division conference in Portland. Signature events include national and regional student conducting competitions, honor choir performances for youth, and the prestigious Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission for new choral works premiered at conventions.

Advocacy and influence

The organization is a leading advocate for choral music education, regularly partnering with groups like the National Association for Music Education and the National Association of Teachers of Singing to influence policy. It has been instrumental in developing national standards for choral curricula and promoting the inclusion of choral music in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Through initiatives like the "ChoralNet" online community and its support for the International Federation for Choral Music, it exerts considerable influence on choral practices globally, fostering cultural exchange and advancing the art form.