Susan Green, WA ACDA Membership Chair, writes a memo to choral directors who are not members of ACDA

August, 2009

To Our Non-Member Friends:

One of the greatest resources I have available to me as a teacher and choral conductor is the American Choral Directors Association.  I have been to many seminars, reading sessions, and conferences that have enriched my professional life in countless ways.  It just seems obvious to me that if you are a choir director then you should be a member of the professional organization that serves your art, but I’m always amazed at how many people choose to not be a member.

Yes, choose.  When I talk to non-members about joining ACDA I often get a full litany of excuses, with the most common one being that they can’t afford the membership on top of the other memberships they pay for.  I’m often told this while they’re holding a Starbucks latte in one hand or while they’re fidgeting with the latest technological gadget.  Hmmmm.   Is it really the cost of membership, or is simply a matter of shifting priorities?  Professionalism does come at a price.

So, why should you prioritize membership in ACDA?  First, the workshops and conferences put on by this organization offer the finest resources for literature, rehearsal management, vocal pedagogy, and conducting technique for our craft.  If you have attended our Summer Institute here in Washington, you already know that you will find quality literature at our reading sessions.  You also know that we are going to bring the most preeminent master conductors as clinicians.  You know that you’re going to get to sit down and have valuable conversations with other people who do what you do.

Second, I do believe that is a matter of professionalism.  Fine choral directors know that while ACDA offers them a wealth of resources, it’s important to give back to the community as well.  When you are a member of ACDA you become part of the collective whole and can be a resource to someone else.  It is important to be associated with the premiere choral directing professional organization.  Frankly, when I am on the hiring team for my school district, I always call into question why my district should hire a choir director that is not a member of this organization.  As a public school music teacher, if I see a resume that does not have Music Educators National Conference and American Choral Directors Association memberships listed then I assume that there is a certain lack of professionalism in this particular candidate.  Yes, it really does matter. 

If you are paid to direct choirs you get to write this membership off on your taxes.  If you buy coffee or any other little luxury on a regular basis, buy a little less and put that money into an ACDA membership once a year.  Shift things around a little and make this a priority.  Your singers will feel the difference, because your conducting and rehearsal management skills will grow once you’ve experienced the influences of this organization on an on-going basis.  We need you, and we believe you need us as well.  This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

ACDA membership is literally an investment; pays for itself in great music suggestions for your choirs

by Sue Green, Western Membership Liaison

If you are currently an ACDA member, we want to thank you for being a valuable part of our organization.  As you know, the network that is formed by pooling all of our collective talents together is amazing.  You are a valuable member of our group, and we hope that you will continue to be a member of our organization. 

When your renewal notices arrive in the mail, please send them back promptly or renew your membership online.  Don't be surprised if you receive an email reminder from me as well, and if you have any questions or concerns, you may certainly respond back to me and I will either answer your question myself or forward it on to the appropriate board member.

If you are a non-ACDA member, we hope that you will consider joining us in membership. 

Keep in mind that if you attend the WA-ACDA Summer Institute, by the time you finish paying the non-member fees for registration you could be a member of ACDA for only $35 more.  That's a GREAT deal!  For that extra $35 you will be a member of an amazing professional organization, and will receive the Choral Journal for the entire year.  All ACDA-sponsored events will be open to you to attend (NW conference is coming up next year in Seattle!), and any time we offer a workshop or seminar that is sponsored by ACDA you will be able to attend at the membership rate. 

In addition, if you live close to the border of other states, you can attend their ACDA-sponsored events at the member rate.  My ACDA membership pays for itself when I attend both Washington and Oregon's summer workshops, and I come home with great music to use with my choirs!

We're glad you are a part of our organization, and if you haven't joined yet, please do!

Reach Out and Touch Someone
by Sue Lundy Green, Western Liaison

I know how it is with all of you choir directors.  You’re a pretty shy group, not very out-going, definitely introverted.  It’s pretty hard getting you to stand up in front of a group of people, and almost impossible to get you to open your mouths.  I’ve noticed that you practically cringe if anyone gives you any attention at all; you absolutely abhor being in the spotlight.  NOT!!!

Okay, we all know that there is a diva inside each one of us.  I like to tell my elementary choir and children’s choir students that I am the Queen Of All Things, and any time they think that anything is about them, they can think again, ‘cause it’s all always all about ME.  The director.  The boss.  ME.  I even have a bumper sticker that a former student gave me that says, “It’s all about ME.”  You know, the one they’re all supposed to have their eyes on all the time.  Ooh, I think I just channeled a wireless commercial.

(Side note:  Did you ever try to get that to happen with a “Y’all can come and sing” group of third graders?  All of them—all of them—with their eyes on you ALL THE TIME during a performance?  If you have figured out how to get them to do it for more than 10 seconds, please email me and tell me your secret, because I, apparently, am missing something.  But, I digress…..)

Back to the subject at hand:  Being the Queen (or King) Of All Things involves acquiring certain skills, only one of which is acquiring the nerve to think that the world revolves around just you.  Choral directing is an art form, requiring a variety of talents.  A good director must at least be somewhat organized, and actually being able to conduct a four-beat pattern really comes in handy, although many of us have learned to live well without it (I suspect some people never found it to begin with, but we won’t name names here).  It’s a real bonus if you know how to find quality music for your group(s) so they don’t stage a revolt, and I have found that being able to find Middle C on the piano has also been quite helpful at times; occasionally, I teach a song that actually starts on that note.

So, what’s my point?  Contrary to what my husband believes, I actually have one (inside joke—apparently I talk a long time without coming to a point.  That’s what HE says.  I don’t know what he’s talking about.).  Anyway, my point is simple:  One is not born with the skills one needs in order to be an outstanding choral director.  One acquires them, usually through education, sometimes through observation, often through experience and, granted, some of it comes with natural talent.  It is in the acquisition of those skills that ACDA can and must play an important role. 

We, as the current members of ACDA, need to do a better job of encouraging our colleagues to join us in this organization.  Perhaps you could think of yourself as a mentor.  If you know someone who is not a member, but would benefit from the resources ACDA offers, then take it upon yourself to share information about our organization.  It’s a win-win situation for everyone:  Another person (potential resource) is added to our group, and in return, he/she gains access to workshops, conferences, and general information that will help him/her grow as a director.  As I said, it’s all about gaining or improving our skills as choral directors, and I really believe that education is the key.  I know I have learned a lot from attending the ACDA-sponsored workshops and conferences (if you missed NW, you really missed out.  I can’t wait to see more of Dr. Timothy Seelig at our Summer Institute in July because he was absolutely fabulous at NW.  I will definitely be encouraging my colleagues to attend).

It’s the personal touch that works, by the way.  I have personally invited quite a few people to join ACDA, and have received a great response.  All it takes is a friendly smile, a little conversation, and an invitation to join, and we have a new member.  Ah, yes, the personal touch.  Why don’t you try to reach out to one person?  Watch what happens.

Finally, whenever I write for our newsletter, I’ll try to give a “shout out” to all of the people who have joined ACDA in the past few months.  This list is current as of the middle of February and reflects people who have joined us in the last six months or so.  In the interest of protecting the privacy of people, I will only use first names and initials.   If your name isn’t listed and you are a new member, please accept my abject apologies.  My list is only as good as the information I receive from the national office, so if I’ve missed you, I do apologize.

Whether you’re new to us, or you’re simply returning to the organization after a period of absence, we are glad to have you with us!

Welcome to our new student members:  Christopher S., Jennifer S., Kristin E., Kristin D., Mitchell A., Katherine H.M.C., Andrew J., Nuria M., Jean-Marie K., Daisy E., Kathy S., Sarah B., Jonathan M., Veronica W., Laura R., Maya D., Matt B., Allison S., Carrie H., Eric F., Amy L., Jazmarae B., Katie S., Carmen V.S., Lisa S., JR L., Lauren H., Josh S., Andy W., Jenny O., Deborah W., Michael S., Jessikah T., Robert H., Kimberly S., Ryan H., Elissa C., Brenna O., Natalie M., Micah P., Crisol Q., and Timothy R.  

Welcome to our new active members:  Jennifer A., Vanessa G., Tina W., Bayard D., Charlotte R., John M., Rochelle D., Vanessa G., Jody C., Karen L., Diana L., Deborah B., Nancy J., Joni K., Kathyanne B., Peter B., Anita R., Joseph L., Brad K., Beth T., Lynn L., Angela A., Rebecca H., Danette G., Judy H., and Stefani P.

If there’s anything the WA-ACDA board can do for you, please do not hesitate to let us know.  Again, welcome!

(Note:  This is a revised version of a column I wrote for the Oregon ACDA newsletter a few years ago.  Names have been removed to protect the innocent, and my current victims, er….choirs…. are now much younger and more gullible.)

Sue Lundy Green has been a K-12 vocal music specialist for twenty years.  Currently in her fifth year of teaching elementary music and choir at Jenkins Creek Elementary in the Kent School District, Sue previously directed secondary choirs for the Scappoose School District in Oregon, headed the music program at Portland Public Schools’ performing arts high school magnet program, and directed choirs in Banks and Roseburg, Oregon.