Dear Friends,

I cannot believe it, but the school year is almost over, which means the 2010 New York State Summer Music Conference is rapidly approaching. Like the last two years, the conference will be held at the Crown Plaza in Albany, New York. The dates of the conference are Sunday, August 8^th through Tuesday, August 10^th. We have some amazing events and interest sessions planned and it is my hope that many of you will attend.

I am excited to announce that Dr. Rollo Dilworth will be the conductor of the Director’s Chorus this year. Dr. Dilworth is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. He received his Doctor of Music degree in conducting performance at Northwestern University where he studied conducting and composition with Robert A. Harris. An active conductor, composer, educator, and clinician, Dr. Dilworth has taught choral music at the elementary, secondary, and university levels. His performing endeavors have taken him to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In addition to composing music in the choral genre, his research interests are in the areas of African-American music and music education curriculum and instruction. Dr. Dilworth will present an interest session on Monday, August 8^th titled: Using Text and Style as Primary Influences on Conducting Gesture.

In addition to being the Director’s Chorus Conductor, Dr. Dilworth will also be this year’s Keynote Speaker for the conference. His keynote address is titled: Maintaining Relevance In The Music Education Curriculum.

I am also excited to announce that the second annual Middle School Choir will be directed by Diane Warner. Diane teaches at Shenendehowa High School East in Clifton Park, NY. She is also the current NY ACDA Repertoire and Standards Chair for Senior High Choirs. In addition to being the Middle School Honor Choir conductor, Diane will present an interest session titled: Strategies for Effect Choral Rehearsals. If you are interested in having one of your students participate in the Middle School Honor Choir, the contact person is Michael Murphy, the R&S Chair for Junior High and Middle School Choirs (Murphy@gateschili.monroe.edu). You can also go to the New York ACDA website to download the application and nomination forms.

This year’s Children’s Honor Choir will be directed by Fred Mead. Mr. Mead is Director of Vocal Studies where he trains choristers of The American Boychoir School through private instruction and group voice classes as well as vocal technique and music theory. He prepares the first year choristers in the Training Choir for the musical and social demands of the concert choir, ensuring a smooth transition into the professional ensemble. Previously, Mr. Meads served as Artistic Director of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir from 1999-2009. Under his leadership, the choir of over 300 singers performed throughout the community, state and at festivals around the world, most recently at Festival 500 in Newfoundland, Canada. Mr. Meads received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Ithaca College, New York and his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition to being the Children’s Honor Choir conductor, Fred will present an interest session titled: Singers on the Move – Teaching and Motivating Boys to Succeed.  In addition to conducting the Children’s Honor Choir, Mr. Mead will also teach an interest session. If you are interested in having one of your students participate in this event, the contact person is Craig Knapp, the R&S Chair for Children’s Choirs (mrknapp1@aol.com). You can also go to the New York ACDA website to download the application and nomination forms.

As in previous years, the conference will also present several reading sessions that will feature a variety of high quality choral literature including elementary (Craig Knapp, clinician), middle school (Michael Murphy, clinician), high school (Diane Warner, clinician), vocal jazz (Carol Jacobe) and multicultural (Penelope Cruz, clinician) repertoire. Regardless of what level or ensemble type you conduct, you will not want to miss these sessions as there will be something for you.

Finally, I need to let everyone know that my tenure as New York ACDA President will come to an end following this year’s summer music conference. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve New York ACDA in this capacity for the last two years and I especially want to thank all of the members of the New York ACDA Executive Board for their hard work, commitment and dedication to the organization. These folks have spent countless hours volunteering their time to support NY ACDA. I sincerely believe that we have one of the finest executive boards in the country and I am deeply appreciative of all they do. As of August 11, 2010, Dr. Brandon Johnson will be the new NY ACDA President and I know that the state is in exceptional hands. I wish him all the best.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Albany. Take care and have a terrific rest of the year. I wish all of you the best in your up coming spring concerts.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mark Zeigler