In the March 2026 episode of the ACDA Podcast, host Steve Danielson reflects on the recent regional conferences and shares insights from across the choral community. As part of the ongoing Why Do We Sing? series, Steve speaks with conductor, composer, and researcher Raphael Fusco about the science and psychology behind singing, exploring how empathy, physiology, and human connection shape our musical experiences.

This episode also features a conversation with composer Dan Forrest, who recently received ACDA’s Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission—becoming the first composer to have previously won the Brock Prize for Student Composers. Dan reflects on his compositional journey, creative process, and what this full-circle moment means for his work.

Plus, Steve travels Into the Archives to explore the origins of ChoralNet and its early predecessor, Choralist, highlighting how early internet technology helped connect choral conductors long before modern social media.

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LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: 

ACDA website: https://acda.org  

Raphael Fusco: https://raphaelfusco.com   

ChoralNet article: https://choralnet.org/archives/471001  

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: Celebration by Kate Crellin - https://www.katecrellin.com/product-page/celebration-satb  

Dan Forrest: https://danforrest.com  

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

Symposium for Research in Choral Singing: https://acda.org/conferences/symposium-for-research-in-choral-singing  

Insight Choir or Performing Choir Application for National Conference: https://acda.org/archives/events/2027-national-conference