🎙️ November 2025 – Uplifting Voices and Honoring Legacies

This month on the ACDA Podcast, Steve begins with a heartfelt reminder about the power of encouragement—how a few kind words can make all the difference in a colleague’s day. From there, we travel across the country and through choral history in another inspiring episode celebrating connection, creativity, and community.

🗽 Summer Institutes in Review: We hear from Joslyn Thomas, President of New York ACDA, who shares highlights from the state’s Fall Collegiate Conference at Nazareth University.

🎵 Check It Out in the Choral Journal: Steve welcomes Micah Bland, author of The Life and Choral Works of Jester Hairston, to discuss the remarkable life and enduring music of one of America’s great choral composers and arrangers.

🎶 R&R Quick Pick: From the National R&R Virtual Reading Sessions, Joy Hirokawa introduces Three Quotes by Mark Twain by Andrea Ramsey, performed by the Birmingham Boys Choir.

🌲 Guest Interview: Bill Campbell, President of Northwestern ACDA, joins Steve to preview the upcoming Northwest Regional Conference in Tacoma, Washington. With the theme Sing for a Change, the conference promises to inspire renewal and connection across the region.

📢 Did You Know?: Steve celebrates ACDA members named 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award Semifinalists, shares conference travel discounts, and highlights new research exploring conductor health.

❤️ Influence Story: Evan Lane of Tidwell Choir in Mississippi pays tribute to his mentor Brad White, whose guidance and passion helped shape his journey as an educator and conductor.

🎧 Tune in on your favorite podcast platform, and join the conversation in the ACDA Podcast Listeners group on Facebook!
📬 Have a story or event to share? Email Steve at [email protected].

ACDA website: https://acda.org

Repertoire and Resources page: https://acda.org/repertoire/

Virtual Reading Sessions: https://acda.org/archives/events/2025-national-rr-virtual-reading-sessions

R&R Quick Pick: Three Quotes by Mark Twainby Andrea Ramsey;  https://sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=892

YouTube video of Three Quotes by Mark Twain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEWJTPsd-_k

Choral Journal: https://acda.org/publications/choral-journal

Regional Conference REGISTRATION: https://acda.org/region-conferences

Children and Community Youth Retreat: https://acda.org/conferences/childrens-community-youth-choir-conductors-retreat

Regional Conference Airline Discounts: https://acda.org/2026-acda-conference-travel-discounts

Musculoskeletal Interference and Injury in ProfessionalConductors Research Request:

https://choralnet.org/archives/acda-news/research-requests-call-for-participants