“Middle school kids really are very concrete learners. Abstract thought isn’t there yet. Give them the ability to see ‘I’m not the only one having problems on page 10. I must be normal because everybody’s having problems on page 10.’ Or, if it is a kid who’s the only one who’s having a problem, let’s figure out what the problem is. Let the kids have some voice in helping problem-solve rehearsal issues. The teacher is the expert, but that doesn’t mean that you know everything. Sometimes a kid knows a lot of stuff, but it is just sounds different or is coming from a different angle.”

Gretchen Harrison, National ACDA Chairperson for Repertoire and Resources, is a Missouri-born, Kansas-educated, veteran choral educator, conductor and clinician..  Proud to come from a strong choral music heritage, Harrison is the middle generation of a 3-generation ACDA family. She follows in her dad’s footsteps as “teacher-mentor” with joy! She loves a rehearsal based on love, excellence, urgency, laughter, respect, high expectations, silliness and, hopefully, dark chocolate!  Harrison has served ACDA as State Chair for JHMS Repertoire and Standards (KS), as the National Chair for JHMS Repertoire and Standards, then Resources, as the first Youth Choirs Coordinator and, now, as the National Chair. Harrison earned degrees from Wichita State University (BME) and the University of Missouri–Kansas City (MME) and has 60+ additional hours of study. Professionally, Harrison retired after teaching public school middle school choir for 34 years. She is the 2023 recipient of the “Harry Robert Wilson Award”, an award by the Kansas ACDA chapter to recognize lifelong achievement. She is the administrator in the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City community choir program. Harrison is married to a retired band director and mom to two wonderful humans and “Gigi” to a wonderful grandson–with another on the way.  She loves her family, cooking, baking, her dog and reading.

To get in touch with Gretchen, you can email her at [email protected], follow the ACDA Repertoire Collective Facebook page (@RepertoireResources), or find her on Facebook (@gretchen.harrison) or Instagram (@gretchenharrison).

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Photo in episode artwork by Trace Hudson