American Choral Directors Association

American Choral Directors Association is a professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in Choral music and supporting Choral conductors and Music educators across the United States. Founded in 1959 by Collegiate Music educators and Choral conductors such as Elwood Keiser and H. Royce Saltzman, the organization has grown to include over 20,000 members from various Music institutions and School districts. The organization is affiliated with the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Music Educators National Conference, and the National Association for Music Education. Members of the organization include renowned Choral conductors such as Robert Shaw, Margaret Hillis, and Dale Warland.

● History

The organization was established in 1959 with the goal of promoting excellence in Choral music and providing a platform for Choral conductors and Music educators to share ideas and best practices. The first National Convention was held in 1960 at the University of Kansas, featuring performances by the Kansas City Chorale and the University of Kansas Chamber Singers. Since then, the organization has hosted numerous National Conventions and Regional Conferences, showcasing the talents of Choral ensembles such as the Tallis Scholars, Chanticleer, and the Dale Warland Singers. The organization has also been influenced by notable Music festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival.

● Organization

The organization is headquartered in Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors comprising Music educators and Choral conductors from across the United States. The organization has a strong partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the American Composers Forum. The organization also collaborates with other Music organizations such as the League of American Orchestras, the Chorus America, and the International Federation for Choral Music. Members of the organization have opportunities to engage with renowned Composers such as Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, and Ola Gjeilo.

● Conferences_and_Publications

The organization hosts numerous Conferences and Workshops throughout the year, featuring performances by Choral ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The organization also publishes a quarterly Journal and a monthly Newsletter, which include articles and reviews by notable Music critics such as Tim Page and Anne Midgette. The organization's publications often feature interviews with acclaimed Conductors such as Simon Rattle, Riccardo Muti, and Gustavo Dudamel. The organization also partners with Music publishers such as Oxford University Press, Hal Leonard, and G. Schirmer to promote new Choral music.

● Membership_and_Awards

Membership in the organization is open to Choral conductors, Music educators, and Choral enthusiasts from across the United States. The organization offers various Awards and Grants to recognize excellence in Choral music and support the development of new Choral works. The organization's Awards include the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission, the Robert Shaw Choral Award, and the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence. The organization also honors notable Composers and Conductors with Lifetime Achievement Awards, such as John Adams, Steve Reich, and Pierre Boulez.

● Divisions_and_Repertoire

The organization is divided into seven Divisions, each representing a different region of the United States. The organization's Repertoire includes a wide range of Choral music from Medieval music to Contemporary music. The organization promotes the performance of Choral works by American Composers such as Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copland. The organization also encourages the exploration of diverse Choral traditions such as Gospel music, Jazz, and World music. Members of the organization have access to a vast Repertoire of Choral music from Publishers such as Boosey & Hawkes, Carl Fischer Music, and Shawnee Press.

● Leadership_and_Governance

The organization is led by a President and a Board of Directors comprising Music educators and Choral conductors from across the United States. The organization's Leadership includes notable Choral conductors such as Ann Howard Jones, Jerry Blackstone, and Pearl Shangkuan. The organization is also advised by a Council of Past Presidents, which includes renowned Conductors such as Robert Spano, Christoph Eschenbach, and Michael Tilson Thomas. The organization's Governance is guided by a set of Bylaws and a Code of Ethics, which ensure the organization's commitment to promoting excellence in Choral music and supporting the development of Choral conductors and Music educators.