Hello, my name is Mark Zeigler, the new President of New York ACDA. I would like to introduce myself and let you know about some very exciting initiatives that will be occurring in the coming months.

First, however, I need to take a moment to thank Dan Bromsted for his steadfast leadership and commitment to NY ACDA over the last year. As many of you have probably heard, Dan had to resign his Presidency last month due to health issues. As a result, the National Office has asked me to assume the Presidency one year early. I know you will all join me in wishing Dan well and thanking him for all he has accomplished for NY ACDA.

This summer I had the privilege of attending the National Leadership Training Conference in Oklahoma City, site of the 2009 National ACDA Convention. ACDA is celebrating 50 years of serving choral conductors in 2009 and as such, has decided to hold the national convention in Oklahoma City, the location of our National ACDA Office. Oklahoma City is a truly beautiful metropolis and the convention is going to be amazing! The highlight of the convention will be a freedom concert performed on the Oklahoma City Memorial site. I hope you will consider attending the convention and help us celebrate our professional organization’s 50^th anniversary.

This year, the National Office is promoting an important membership drive. I recently received an email from the President of Pennsylvania ACDA challenging our state to a membership drive contest. If New York wins, the President of Pennsylvania ACDA will be required to attend our summer conference in 2009, wear an “I Love New York” T-shirt, and eat New York hotdogs. If, however, New York loses (God forbid), I will have to attend the Pennsylvania ACDA summer conference, wear an “I Love Pennsylvania” T-shirt, and eat potato salad (a fate worse than death). I need your help. I am asking everyone to invite one friend, colleague, or member of your choir(s) who is currently not an ACDA member, to consider joining our organization. Membership forms can be easily downloaded from the national ACDA website; www.acdaonline.org.

Here are some ways you might be able to help us increase our membership. If your school or district has hired a new choral teacher this fall, invite him or her to join ACDA. You could also encourage members of your church or community choirs to consider becoming an ACDA Associate Member; a type of membership specifically designed for individuals who love singing in choirs, but are not necessarily choral conductors.

The Eastern Division President, Lynn Drafall, has provided additional incentive for the membership push. The Easter Division state that signs up the most new members between now and October 1^st will receive several hundred dollars which can be put towards hiring clinicians for workshops, seminars, projects, etc. Please help New York be the leader in our national ACDA membership initiative.

Take care and have a wonderful year.