2017 National Conference

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The Choral Music of J.A.C. Redford and His Commissioned Work, "Homing," for the 2017 National Convention Wednesday 2:45pm - 3:35pm and Thursday 2:45pm - 3:35pm Minneapolis Convention Center Ballroom A J.

He has orchestrated movie scores, working closely with James Horner and others, and orchestrated the last two Bond films.

1 The Choral Music of J.A.C. Redford and His Commissioned Work, "Homing," for the 2017 National Convention Wednesday 2:45pm - 3:35pm and Thursday 2:45pm - 3:35pm Minneapolis Convention Center Ballroom A J.A.C. Redford is a television and film composer who has composed music for over three dozen film and hundreds of television episodes including seasons of St. Elsewhere and Coach. He has orchestrated movie scores, working closely with James Horner and others, and orchestrated the last two Bond films. He has arranged for Grammy Award artists Steven Curtis Chapman, Bonnie Raitt, and Sting. There are three commercial CDs of his choral music. This session will present some of these and works that are not recorded. Larry Wyatt is the clinician for this session. His bio and photo can be found on page 63. The Composer and the Chorus A Beautiful Relationship Thursday 2:45pm - 3:35pm Composer Libby Larsen surveys forty years of the ever-changing dynamic between composers and choruses as we raise our voices in song. Libby Larsen is one of America s most performed living composers. She has created a catalogue of over 400 works spanning virtually every genre from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral works and over twelve operas. Her works are widely recorded, including over fifty CDs. Larson is constantly sought after for commissions and premieres by major artists, ensembles, and orchestras around the world, and has established a permanent place for her works in the concert repertory. Composers in the Cloud Wednesday 10:45am - 11:35am and Wednesday 11:55am - 12:45pm How do composers get their music in the hands of performers in a cloud-based world? A discussion of how traditional and new models address publication and marketing in a time of Spotify, YouTube, and the Next Big Thing you ve never heard of before. Susan LaBarr is a composer and choral editor living and working in Springfield, Missouri. Her compositions are published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Walton Music, and Morningstar Music. In 2015 and 2016 she completed commissions for Seraphic Fire, the National ACDA Women s Choir Consortium, and TCDA s Director s Chorus. Her arrangement of Quem pastores laudavere appeared on New York Polyphony s 2014 Grammy-nominated album, Sing Thee Nowell. LaBarr earned degrees from Missouri State University in Springfield. Mark W. Lawson is the president of ECS Publishing Group, parent company for E.C. Schirmer, Galaxy Music Corporation, and Morning- Star Music Publishers. Lawson has been active in developing digital delivery methods, strategizing about the development of music websites, and has been involved in numerous recording projects. He is actively involved in the Music Publishers Association and the Church Music Publishers Association. CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 57 Number 6 89

With a focus on musician entrepreneurship, new media, artist citizenry, and navigating the current music and tech landscapes, Hickey s lectures at colleges, universities, and conservatories

2 Sean Hickey, awardwinning composer and vice president, sales and business development for Naxos of America Inc., presents his work and shares his journey from eager student to the present day, successfully blending and blurring the worlds of art and administration for twentyfive years. With a focus on musician entrepreneurship, new media, artist citizenry, and navigating the current music and tech landscapes, Hickey s lectures at colleges, universities, and conservatories throughout the world aim to engage and inspire, while demystifing marketing and social media strategies. Composition Master Class Thursday 10:00am - 10:50am This session is an open forum with new compositions by runnersup of ACDA s Brock Student Competition under the mentorship of Steven Sametz and Libby Larsen, exploring compositional choices and how to develop the young compositional voice. Sean Hickey is a clinician for this session. His photo and bio can be found above. Susan LaBarr is a clinician for this session. Her photo and bio can be found on page 89. Mark W. Lawson is a clinician for this session. His photo and bio can be found on page 89. I Want to Sing Pentatonix Songs! How to Authentically Arrange Pop Music for Your Choirs Friday 2:45pm - 3:35pm and Saturday 10:45am - 11:35am Hilton Minneapolis, 2nd floor Marquette Ballroom 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 My middle and high school singers constantly told me, I want to sing Pentatonix songs! We are fortunate to live in an era where group singing is actually cool again, and it is our job to capitalize on this trend. This session will provide information on how to select and arrange pop music for your ensemble. You will leave with a step-by-step arranging template that can be applied to many songs, methodology for helping your students select appropriate songs both in tone and musical level, and rehearsal techniques for this style of music that apply to what you are already doing. Alec Schumacker is the clinician for this session. His photo and bio can be found on page 73. Lives of Song: Canadian and American Choral Music by Women Composers Saturday 10:45am - 11:35am The first day of this conference marks the 2017 celebration of International Women s Day. Despite the significant contributions of women composers and conductors to the choral scene across Canada and the United States, programming continues to fall short with respect to female representation. This session seeks to inspire participants to more intentionally consider the rich body of work produced by contemporary women composers. Attendees will be introduced to choral repertoire by women whose compositions are widely performed and celebrated north and south of the border. With a focus on both published and unpublished works, a range of exciting repertoire suitable for a variety of levels and voicings will be shared. Michael Murphy is associate professor and director of choral activities at the University of Idaho, where he was recognized with the 2015 Mid-Career Faculty Award for outstanding scholarship, teaching, and engagement. Murphy is a guest 90 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 57 Number 6

conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for workshops, festivals, and honor choirs throughout the country

He is the founder of the annual Idaho Bach Festival and currently serves as immediate past president

Rachel Rensink-Hoff is assistant professor and director of choral activities at McMaster University.

CBC and Choral Canada, and she was nominated for the McMaster Excellence in Teaching Award.

She earned both her doctorate and master s degrees at Western University.

3 conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for workshops, festivals, and honor choirs throughout the country and internationally. He is the founder of the annual Idaho Bach Festival and currently serves as immediate past president for Idaho ACDA. He earned his degrees from Florida State University and East Carolina University. Rachel Rensink-Hoff is assistant professor and director of choral activities at McMaster University. She is the 2014 winner of the prestigious Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting awarded by the Ontario Arts Council. In 2015 her Women s Choir was awarded first prize in the National Canadian Choral Competition of the CBC and Choral Canada, and she was nominated for the McMaster Excellence in Teaching Award. She is a frequent guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across Canada. She earned both her doctorate and master s degrees at Western University. Releasing the Song Inside: Composing in Choral Classrooms Friday 10:00am - 10:50am and Friday 11:10am - 12:00pm In this panel discussion, editors and contributing authors for the book Musicianship: Composing in Choir (2016) will lay the groundwork for engaging choral ensemble members in composing in choral classrooms. CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 57 Number 6 91

Acknowledging performance as the principal musical behavior in which choral ensembles engage, panelists will offer compelling arguments for including composition as a constituent of any comprehensive

Panelists will also discuss historical trends leading to choral music as a curricular discipline and practical ideas that will allow choral music educators to provide a safe place for young people to

Kerchner is professor and director of music education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she is the secondary-school music and choral music education specialist.

She received degrees from West Chester University and a PhD from Northwestern University.

and Musical Experiences in Our Lives (2009, Kerchner & Abril, Eds.).

4 Acknowledging performance as the principal musical behavior in which choral ensembles engage, panelists will offer compelling arguments for including composition as a constituent of any comprehensive choral curriculum. Panelists will also discuss historical trends leading to choral music as a curricular discipline and practical ideas that will allow choral music educators to provide a safe place for young people to explore and develop their musical creativity. Jody L. Kerchner is professor and director of music education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she is the secondary-school music and choral music education specialist. She is also founder and conductor of the Oberlin College Women s Chorale and the Oberlin Music at Grafton Prison Choir. She received degrees from West Chester University and a PhD from Northwestern University. She has authored many publications, including Music across the Senses: Listening, Learning, & Making Music (2013) and Musical Experiences in Our Lives (2009, Kerchner & Abril, Eds.). Katy Strand is the academic editor of the Music Educator s Journal and an associate professor of music in the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she teaches classes in participatory mu- sic practices, curriculum, and qualitative research. She taught general and choral music in rural and urban settings and served as choral director for the Virginia Governor s School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities. In addition to authoring several book chapters and co-editing Musicianship: Composing in Choir, Strand has articles in a number of academic and research journals. Julia Shaw is an assistant professor of choral music education at The Ohio State University. She holds degrees from Indiana University and Butler University and a PhD from Northwestern University. She has worked extensively with public school and professional children s choirs, including the Indianapolis Children s Choir and the Chicago Children s Choir. Shaw has served as guest conductor for numerous all-state, festival, and honor choirs. She has presented for regional and national conferences of NAfME, OAKE, and the International Research in Music Education Conference. Philip Silvey is assistant professor of music education at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education and conducts the Women s Chorus. He has served as guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in numerous states and directed honors choruses in four states. He has presented interest sessions at national, regional, and state ACDA and NAfME conferences. His writings appear in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, and Choral Journal. All-state and national honors choruses have performed his original choral works published by Santa Barbara Music and Carl Fischer. To Be or Not to Be Wednesday 2:45pm - 3:35pm As directors, many of us want to write for our own choirs but struggle with the question Am I a Composer? Three of the country s most respected conductor-composers share their stories about how they moved into composition from conducting, and offer strategies for getting started with your choirs. Barlow Bradford is a conductor, composer, arranger, pianist, and teacher. He founded the Utah Chamber Artists in 1991 and has since led the organization to international acclaim. His focused, energetic conducting 92 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 57 Number 6

style led to his appointment as music director of the Orchestra at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and associate director of the Mormon

In 2012, Bradford was named the Ellen Nielsen Barnes Presidential Chair of Choral Studies at the University of Utah, where he conducts the

Bradford was named chorus director of the Utah Symphony Chorus in the fall of 2013.

His oeuvre also includes solo songs, opera, ballets, and works for orchestra and chamber ensembles.

festival. In 2011, Sametz received ACDA s Raymond W.

5 style led to his appointment as music director of the Orchestra at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1999 to In 2012, Bradford was named the Ellen Nielsen Barnes Presidential Chair of Choral Studies at the University of Utah, where he conducts the University s Chamber Choir, A Cappella Choir, and directs the graduate choral conducting program. Bradford was named chorus director of the Utah Symphony Chorus in the fall of Steven Sametz is best known for his work in choral and choral-orchestral repertoire. His oeuvre also includes solo songs, opera, ballets, and works for orchestra and chamber ensembles. Sametz has received commissions from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Connecticut Council on the Arts, and the Santa Fe music festival. In 2011, Sametz received ACDA s Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission, writing Three Mystical Choruses for premiere by Chanticleer at the 2011 ACDA National Conference. In 2001, Sametz founded the Lehigh University Summer Choral Composers Forum. He has served as advisor to the ACDA Composition Committee. Dale Warland is a choral composer and conductor whose career spans more than six decades. Founder and music director of the Dale Warland Singers, Warland commissioned over 270 new choral works and fostered the careers of an entire generation CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 57 Number 6 93

of composers. Since 2005, Warland has devoted himself to composing, conducting, teaching, and continuing to serve as a champion of new choral music.

Schirmer, Hal Leonard, earthsongs, Colla Voce, Graphite Publishing, and Walton Music.

designed to discover emerging composers and songwriters and create innovative works in a wide range of styles through one-onone mentorship.

pan and organ. A force in the Minnesota music scene since 1970, her work has been funded by multiple regional and national organizations and published through major houses.

J. David Moore has been in love with a cappella singing and the romance of word and melody since high school.

His own compositions are shaped by his voracious appetite for music of every era and style.

6 of composers. Since 2005, Warland has devoted himself to composing, conducting, teaching, and continuing to serve as a champion of new choral music. Warland s compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by choruses throughout the world. As editor, he has established choral series with G. Schirmer, Hal Leonard, earthsongs, Colla Voce, Graphite Publishing, and Walton Music. ACDA on Social ACDANational VocalEssence Remix: Encouraging Breakout Musical Artists Who Write for Voice Friday 2:45pm - 3:35pm This is a mentoring program of Vocal-Essence designed to discover emerging composers and songwriters and create innovative works in a wide range of styles through one-onone mentorship. Composer Mentors Carol Barnett creates audacious and engaging music for traditional instrumentation and for cross-pollinations such as a mass accompanied by a bluegrass band or a duet for steel pan and organ. A force in the Minnesota music scene since 1970, her work has been funded by multiple regional and national organizations and published through major houses. Barnett is a charter member of the American Composers Forum and a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Libby Larsen is one of the composer mentors. Her photo and bio can be found on page 89. J. David Moore has been in love with a cappella singing and the romance of word and melody since high school. He has written more than 200 arrangements in styles ranging from vocal jazz to sixteenth-century madrigals. His own compositions are shaped by his voracious appetite for music of every era and style. He has won numerous awards from such organizations as ASCAP, the Jerome Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, and the American Composers Forum. Timothy C. Takach is one of the composer mentors. His photo and bio can be found on page 59. G. Phillip Shoultz III is one of the composer mentors. His photo and bio can be found on page 15. VocalEssence ReMix Composers Laura Caviani of Minneapolis, Minnesota, holds a bachelor s in theory and composition from Lawrence University and a master s in improvisation from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. She has composed, performed, and recorded for over twenty years and is currently the director of the jazz area at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. 94 CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 57 Number 6

Peter J. Durow of Osseo, Minnesota, is a composer and choral conductor who conducts the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir.

His compositions and arrangements are published by Colla Voce Music LLC, Heritage Music Press, and MusicSpoke.

Madison. His music has received a BMI Student Composer Award and third prize in the Karol Szymanowski Competition in Poland.

choir and band at Calvin Christian High School in Fridley, Minnesota.

7 Peter J. Durow of Osseo, Minnesota, is a composer and choral conductor who conducts the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir. Durow earned degrees from Augsburg College and Butler University, and holds a PhD from the Florida State University. His compositions and arrangements are published by Colla Voce Music LLC, Heritage Music Press, and MusicSpoke. Jonathan Posthuma of Newport, Minnesota, holds a bachelor s from Dordt College and a master s from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. His music has received a BMI Student Composer Award and third prize in the Karol Szymanowski Competition in Poland. He also sings with VocalEssence Chorus and Kantorei, works in the ticket office of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and teaches choir and band at Calvin Christian High School in Fridley, Minnesota. Andrew Stermer of Montevideo, Minnesota, holds a bachelor s in jazz and studio music from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a master s in studio jazz writing from Frost School of Music, University of Miami. CHORAL JOURNAL Volume 57 Number 6 95

Director s Academies

Director s Academies As part of NAfME s All-National Honors Ensembles event that will take place at Walt Disney World in November, NAfME members will have a unique professional development opportunity