2015 Post-SYMPOSIUM PAGES FROM SOUNDING BOARD

c0ral GROW

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Iowa Choral Directors Association, Inc. exists to serve choral musicians in the state of Iowa by providing leadership, guidance and support, offering continuing education opportunities, promoting excellence in the choral art through high quality offerings and events, supporting education and growth beyond college graduation, and enriching and renewing the musical souls of its membership.

I O W ACHORALDIRECTORSassociation, inc. BOARD

oundingS SEPTEMBER 2015 • VOLUME XLVIII • NUMBER 1

www.iowachoral.orgcontinued on page 4

Summer SymposiumWrap-Up

CHORAL ROOTS GROW DEEPI am grateful to the members of ICDA who came, volunteered, presented, and fed the choral roots of our state during the Summer Symposium. Over 50 members donated their time and expertise to provide leadership for our treasured summer tradition. The workshops, concerts, and social events were filled with smiles, curiosity, and inspiration for the choral art. Thank you for your ownership of the Summer Symposium!

Even though busy throughout the week, I left inspired to lead an All-State Camp and to finish preparations for my choirs at Central College. I learned new ideas from many workshops, was reminded of tried and true choral processes, had my artistic vision lifted by the concerts, was exposed to new repertoire, and enjoyed many intriguing conversations. Like many of you, the symposium afforded me new energy for the coming choir season and academic year.

As I visit with choral and musical colleagues from around the country and the world, they are amazed by the rich tradition we have in Iowa. The collaboration, support, and connections ICDA members enjoy at the Symposium are unique. “It’s like a choral family reunion,” one member said to me this year. “There are no egos.” “Everyone supports each other and wants to encourage choral excellence in our state,” said another member. ICDA attendance at the Symposium is critical to our health and vitality as an organization. Thank you for not taking it for granted!

The Endowment Challenge: Thank you to everyone who generously supported the Endowment. What a great Endowment Gala! Final donations and pledges are still being tallied. Stay tuned for updates. In the meanwhile, please keep the Endowment front and center. Please include the Endowment in your annual charitable contributions. I hope this year’s emphasis on the Endowment and the Gala elevated our awareness and the need for a strong future financial foundation. Next year, support of our Symposium scholarship students will come from Endowment funds which will help keep registration costs down. Past symposia have been

Mark BabcockSymposium [email protected]

c0ral ROOTS GROW DEEP

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Summer Syposium ........................... 1From the Editor ..............................2President’s Pen .................................3Summer Symposium Pictures & Wrap Up .....................4

McCowen Award 2015 Presentation .......................8

Opus ............................................... 14District Reports .............................. 16 -Central -East CentralR&S Feature - Four-Year College, Notes from Symposium ............ 18R&S Feature - Show Choir Managing A Successful Show Choir .............................. 20High School Award Order Form.....23Sacred Music in Public Schools ......24Choral Composition Commissioning Competition .....25Weston Noble Endowment ............26

Thank you to the following advertiser

Murphy Robes ................................ 13



PRESIDENT’S message, CONTINUED from page 3I am grateful for all that ICDA/ACDA has professionally and personally given to me. This network of people provides encouragement, support, compassion, advice, mentors, and friendships in addition to all that our ICDA and ACDA mission statements proclaim.

In July, we saw this first-hand as our Summer Symposium unfolded. The wealth of useful information was astounding. I came home eager to begin working with my students and singers. On behalf of the Iowa Choral Directors Association Board, I want to thank symposium chair, Mark Babcock, for his leadership and vision for “Choral Roots Grow Deep.” It was a beautiful showcase of ICDA choral depth.

I encourage you to take some time to think about all that you are grateful for in this choral music profession. No one’s situation is perfect, each one comes with inherent challenges, but there is always something or someone for which to be grateful. I am grateful for your work with choral music and the singers you inspire. I wish you all the best as you start this new year of music making.

completely supported by registration fees. A healthy Endowment will support this treasured tradition keeping registration fees low and providing needed support for students and young teachers.

I was very touched by this year’s Scholarship Students. On the final day of the Symposium, the students gathered around Tim Watson and me presenting us with cards and a collection for the Endowment. I was blown away. They – college students – contributed over $200. Generosity is a value that is not dependent on individual circumstances. People vote with their feet and their pocketbooks. These students were tremendously helpful during the Symposium, but it is the spirit in which they did their work and their generosity that I will remember most. These students valued your welcome and the professional opportunities we provided. They responded generously.

I was honored and grateful to host “Choral Roots Grow Deep.” Please accept my sincere appreciation for your support. I look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Summer Symposium hosted by Dave Heupel. While the theme changes from year to year, the feeling remains the same. Thank you for supporting this tradition and for nourishing the choral roots in our state.

In gratitude,Mark A. Babcock

SYMPOSIUM, CONTINUED from page 1


EXECUTIVE [email protected] Rausch317 Pershing AveDecorah, IA 52101319-329-4089

Decorah High School100 ClaiborneDecorah, IA 52101563-382-3643 ext 1216

[email protected] Wilson609 East Broadway Decorah, IA 52101712-899-7061Luther College700 College DriveDecorah, IA 52101

VICE [email protected] Mitcheltree 704 Franklin St Keosauqua, IA 52565319-293-3620

EXECUTIVE [email protected] Nelson Woods209 Oak Ridge Dr SEMount Vernon, IA 52314319-895-6868ICDA FAX 319-895-8443‘SOUNDING BOARD’ [email protected] Wilson609 East Broadway Decorah, IA 52101712-899-7061Luther College700 College Dr.Decorah, IA 52101Jeremy Manternach1813 Flatiron AveIowa City, IA 52240612-423-1378The University of IowaSchool of Music311 Communications CenterIowa City, IA 52242319-335-1623‘SOUNDING BOARD’ [email protected] Kelley610 E McGregor St.Algona, IA 50511319-389-9904Algona High School600 South Hale St.Algona, IA [email protected] Kathy Staskal, Joleen Woods


2015 summer SYMPOSIUM [email protected] Babcock1804 28th StDes Moines, IA 50310515-274-6986

Central College812 University, Campus Box 6100Pella, IA 50219515-641-62852016summer SYMPOSIUM [email protected] Heupel207 E Madison StJefferson, IA 50129-2738515-386-5436

Greene County Schools101 Ram DriveJefferson, IA 50129515-386-2188FAX: 515-386-21592017 summer SYMPOSIUM [email protected] Bouska425 Prairie View LaneMason City, IA 50401641-420-8140

Mason City High School1700 4th St SEMason City, IA 50401641-421-4506HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS [email protected] Julie Schnieders301 N 13thIndianola, IA 50125-1617515-490-3592OPUS [email protected] Joe Tangen770 182nd AvePella, IA 50219507-360-9442Pella Middle School210 UniversityPella, IA [email protected] Rebecca Griffin806 Maple LnClear Lake, IA 50428641-529-2918Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elem. School1080 Division St.Garner, IA 50438TECHNOLOGY [email protected] Chris Johnson2212 Kellogg AveAmes, IA 50010Grand Avenue Baptist Church612 24th StAmes, IA 50010-4810

EXECUTIVE BOARD

ICDA ENDOWMENT TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS AT 2016 SYMPOSIUM Thanks to everyone who made a donation to the ICDA Weston Noble Endowment Fund in the past year. Your support and participation in this drive and the Gala Event this summer has made a difference! Those who wrote checks or gave a donation on their registration form are listed on page 25.

The ICDA Endowment Committee met in Mason City during the week of the Symposium and voted to support the 2016 Summer Sym-posium scholarship students with a distribution from our fund held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. This is our first expenditure of endowment funds and it is especially appropriate because these students are the future of our profession. What better way than to support them at this stage of their careers?

If you haven’t yet made a donation to the endowment, it’s not too late. Fill out and return the form on this page. The committee hopes that you will put the ICDA Endowment on your per-manent list of charities and consider making an annual donation! Thank you!

“Song Go On,”

Millie Youngquist ICDA Weston Noble Endowment Chair

SILENT AUCTION DONORS AND RECIPIENTSThanks to everyone who either donated an item for the auction or helped the process by making bids. A total of $890 was raised for the Endowment! Be thinking of an item that you could bring next year!

2015 ICDA Endowment Silent Auction Donors and Recipients

Donor Item Recipient AmountWest Music ..................................Ukelele ...............................................Travis Walker ........... $90Kelly Truax ...................................“Brothers Sing On” Afghan ................Teale Burford ........... $65Kelly Truax ...................................Dishcloth Basket ................................Millie Youngquist ..... $35David Haas ..................................Black IPA Homemade Beer ................Bradley Wilson ........ $75Chris McFate/Travis Zinnel ..........South Tama Gift Basket ..................... Jackie Thompson ..... $50Barbershop Harmony Society .......Gift Basket ......................................... Jamie Kelley ............. $80Joleen and Mike Woods................Wine Basket ....................................... Jill Wilson ................ $40Joleen and Mike Woods................“Handel It!” Wine Gift Basket ........... Jill Wilson ................ $55Joleen and Mike Woods................Wine and Garden Stake .....................Millie Youngquist ..... $35Jennifer Wagner ............................“Not a Morning Person” Gift Basket ..Linda Johnson ......... $55Joesph Granzow ...........................Football Snacks ..................................Gary Keller .............. $20Luke Miller ..................................Whiskey .............................................Gary Keller .............. $70Bob and Millie Youngquist ...........Large Metal Letter ..............................Abby Shepherd ........ $55Bob and Millie Youngquist ...........Musical Garden Stake .........................Michael Blair ........... $50Kris DeWild .................................Kumikimo Necklace ...........................Beth Mueller ............ $20Jody Nekuonda/Vicky Muters ......Wine/Jewelry Basket ..........................Lois Martin .............. $50ICDA Endowment .......................Ludwig Bust .......................................Rebecca Griffin ........ $45

8 / Sounding Board September 2015


2015 McCowen Award Presentation as presented by Jason Rausch with Kelly Truax

It is my pleasure this afternoon to present the Robert M. McCowen Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to choral music in Iowa. Robert McCowen began his career teaching at Waterloo West High School and served as Director of Choral Affairs at Iowa State University. He was a charter member of ACDA and served as District, State, and North Central Division ACDA Chair. He was in demand nationwide as a conductor, clini-cian, adjudicator, and composer. His love for his work was obvious. The rela-tionships he developed with students in the classroom and with professional colleagues were sincere. Music was his tool to serve humankind. His concern for choral music in the state of Iowa lives on, and it is for this reason that ICDA chooses to honor its friends who carry the Robert McCowen flame for choral music, igniting the torch for all choral participants in Iowa, lighting the way, for both students and professional colleagues. Today we will add the name of Carol Tralau to the list of distinguished recipients.

Carol Tralau grew on up a farm north of Lost Nation, IA where she attended kindergarten through twelfth grade. She was very active in music and sports during her high school years, attending Dorian Festivals, enjoying the opportunities of solo-ensemble contest, and playing basketball and softball all four years.

She then attended Marycrest College in Davenport, IA, and began studies in medi-cal technology but had an interest in physical therapy. The summer before her junior year, she decided she missed choir, so she audi-tioned for and was accepted into Chamber Singers, the select ensemble on campus. The conductor, Fred Taylor, was persistent in de-veloping her interest in music and knew Carol

Robert M. McCowen Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to choral music in Iowa

Carol Tralau

September 2015 Sounding Board / 9


didn’t really know what she wanted to do. When asked what her favorite job would be, she replied, “conducting a choir and coach-ing a basketball team.” She then completed a marathon of music courses to earn a B.A. in music education with a voice emphasis and a minor in biology.

After undergraduate work, Carol ventured to northwest Iowa, and taught for three years at Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School. She conducted the high school mixed, men’s, and women’s choirs, taught biology, coached basketball, and assisted with the softball team. She found that being a basketball coach was a great recruitment tool. The men’s chorus was almost as big as the women’s choir.

She then accepted a position at Benton Com-munity High School, in Van Horne, Iowa, where she served only as a music educator. There, she was introduced to musical theatre and began work in that genre by costum-ing The Sound of Music. Having taught at a Catholic school, she thought finding nuns habits would be easy! Wrong! She created a yearly Fine Arts Festival showcasing student artwork and all the solo-ensemble entries for choir, band, and speech. In addition, she began a Madrigal Dinner tradition.

Carol then went back to school to earn a Masters in Choral Conducting at the Univer-sity of Iowa, studying with Don Moses. After a year of studies, she taught one year at Cedar Rapids Regis High School before accepting a part-time job at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School. This part-time job afforded her the opportunity to complete her masters degree. The job evolved into full-time employment, and she continued to teach there for 12 years, being one of two full-time staff members in the choir program. During those years, many Jefferson students were accepted into the Iowa All-State Chorus. Carol conducted choirs on four ACDA convention programs, three regional conventions (1992 Des Moines, 1994 Rapid City, and1998 Minneapolis), and the 1993 San Antonio national convention. In ad-dition, Carol accepted the invitation to supply

the demonstration choir for the undergraduate conducting competition at the 1999 national convention in Chicago. The Jefferson Select Women’s Choir also participated numerous times in the Dorian Choir Invitational and recorded an Allen Koepke selection for Santa Barbara Music Publishing. This past May, Carol was inducted into the Jefferson High School Faculty Hall of Fame.

Carol was the guest conductor of the 1994 OPUS 7th-8th Grade Girls’ Honor Choir, the 1996 University of Iowa All-State Music Camp Choir, the 1997 Wisconsin ACDA High School Women’s Honor Choir, the 1997 Minnesota All-State Women’s Choir, and the 2009 South Dakota Honor Choir.

Following her years at Jefferson High School, Carol pursued a D.M.A. in Choral Con-ducting at the University of Iowa. During her residency year, she served as an interim conductor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. After the majority of her coursework was completed, Carol served as an interim choral director at UNI where she conducted two ensembles, taught graduate conducting, and observed secondary student teachers.

She then began a private voice studio to pay the bills and stay out of trouble. After a year of this, she received a call from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church asking if she would be interested in coming back to serve full-time as the Director of Music. She accepted the offer and has served there for 12 years, administrat-ing all aspects of music and conducting three choirs: the adult choir, a men’s ensemble, and a youth choir that involves a high percentage of All-State and Opus Honor Choir members. In the early years of this position, she served in the contemporary worship scene until a Direc-tory of Contemporary Worship was hired. She will retire from St. Paul’s this August.

Out of the classroom and off of the podium, Carol served one year on the board of the

Robert M. McCowen Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to choral music in Iowa

Carol Tralau“Of all the teachers I’ve watched work with students, few have the dedication to the craft that Carol Tralau displays. She is completely devoted to helping kids be the best musicians they can possibly be and has been an incredible mentor and friend to me.”

Kelly Truax

continued on next page



Iowa Choral Directors Association as editor of The Sounding Board, a term as the Repertoire and Standards Chair of Women’s Choirs for the North Central Division of ACDA, and chaired the 1998 summer convention and symposium.

Because she feels so strongly about the learning opportunities available through Solo/Ensemble and All-State preparations, Carol plans to continue teaching voice and assisting schools with All-State quartet work. She also will supervise Luther College student teachers as needed.

Some words from Kelly Truax

I met Carol Tralau in the fall of 1991. I was her student teacher when she was teaching at Jefferson High School. While I’m pretty sure I wasn’t her worst student teacher ever, I was likely the one who tried the hardest to avoid conducting. I was terrified of teaching without the piano in front of me! Carol was patient but insistent that I wave my arms and step away from my comfort zone. It wasn’t until much later that I fully appreciated the education I got at Jefferson.

Because I played piano well, she let me be her accompanist for all the Jeffer-son concerts, All-State auditions (accompanying the audition itself because piano was still allowed back then!), Solo/Ensemble contest, and whatever other opportunities were going on. With Carol, each practice became a complete voice lesson — each kid getting everything needed to become the best musician they could possibly be. Carol gave her 100% best to each and every one of those kids!

I watched Carol teach her choirs a cappella — which was incredible to me — and learned SO MUCH about listening, setting expectations high, and giving singers the musical training to be able to accomplish amazing things. Watching Carol work with her students taught me what it truly means to be a teacher. Her students learned so much more than 42 alto lines in her choirs!

The early 90’s were the exact right moment to be hanging out with Carol Tralau at Jefferson HS because the Jefferson choirs started their “convention

streak.” Carol’s Women’s Choir was selected to perform at the Des Moines NCACDA con-vention. I remember being in the Jefferson choir room with Carol when Allen Koepke walked in with manuscript paper in hand. He asked Carol if she would perform the piece he had written (it was in his hand) at the conven-tion. Carol looked hesitant . . . so Allen put the manuscript in front of me at the piano and the three of us proceeded to sing through “Dance On My Heart.” Her choir performed it, and it became a choral hit that we all know.

The following year, her women were selected to perform at the ACDA convention in San Antonio. Allen brought her another song — “And Nature Smiled.” I still remember Allen standing up in the audience with that hair and people surrounding him and Carol in the lobby after the performance.

Many more conventions followed — Pete’s men, the mixed choirs, and Carol’s women again. It was an incredible place to be; I was watching incredible teachers do amaz-ing things with regular kids. I’ve heard and accompanied a lot of choirs since then, but I still believe that Carol’s high school women’s ensembles were some of the finest choirs I’ve ever heard.

Of all the teachers I’ve watched work with students, few have the dedication to the craft that Carol Tralau displays. She is completely devoted to helping kids be the best musicians they can possibly be and has been an incred-ible mentor and friend to me.

mccowen award presenTAtion, continued

Of all the teachers I’ve watched work with students, few have the dedication to the craft that Carol Tralau displays. She is completely devoted to helping kids be the best musicians they can possibly be...

September 2015 Sounding Board / 11


McCowen Award winner Carol Tralau’s speech Thank you to the current ICDA board members for considering my contributions to the choral art. From my first year in the classroom at Storm Lake St. Mary’s to my final worship service last Sunday with my church choir, I have been honored to work with some fantastic choir members and choral colleagues. I have never forgotten Ruth Hoferman, choral director at Albert City-Truesdale, who so graciously offered suggestions, encouragement and hope to this inexperienced, driven (always asking questions), first-year teacher who inherited a music library of no voice books and maybe twenty actually published choral works. All of us can think of Ruth Hofer-mans in all stages of our careers. That is the beauty of this organization.

After Jason Rausch called me in May to notify me that I was this year’s recipient of the McCowen Award, I had to research the ICDA website wondering what the board was thinking. Have I really served ICDA as much or more than it has served me? Do I really possess traits deserving of this honor? I am so different from previous recipients: E. Jane Ruby, Weston Noble, Daniel Moe, Francis Pyle, Leo Grether, Sven Lekberg, Charles Matheson, Marvin Kelly, James Fritshel, J. Eugene McKinley, Gordan Lamb, Dale Grotenhuis, Allen Lehl, Bob Davis, Jim Kimmel, Gloria Corbin, Bruce Norris, Mark Lehmann, Lauretta Graetz, Tom Janssen, Alan Hagen, Everett Johnson, Allen Koepke, Bob Youngquist, Janiece Bergland, Allen and San-dy Chapman, Ken Phillips, Gary Fiscus, Carol Stewart, and Dr. Aimee Beckman-Collier.

What diversity! Each one of those people brought his/her own strengths to the choral art and its growth and acknowledgement in Iowa. I applaud ICDA for acknowledging that diversity, and encourage all of us to cher-ish it.

“Carol modeled a true passion for the singing art, one that was grit-ty but full of wonder at the way music worked and expressed. She demanded a lot without being pushy - just a matter of fact expecta-tion. If I wasn’t prepared, she called me out, but always made the best of it. She could shoot laser beams with her eyes when frustrated and was quick to laugh, full and colorful. I only got to sing under her a very few times, but her baton technique always amazes me. I always use her as an example of an incredible music educator who doesn’t need piano skills to thrive - they do exist. We could always have free and easy conversation, honest and interested in shared ideas, even as a precocious high school student. She came to one, if not both, of my college recitals, which really meant a lot to me. She is essentially an extra choir teacher for most every school in the CR area - that is the level of commitment she has to choral music and the development of her students. I count her as one of my most influential teachers and models in this profession. I am lucky to have learned from her!”

Ryan Deignan (former voice student)

“Carol didn’t just talk the talk; she walked the walk. She carried the banner for Iowa at countless convention performances throughout the nation. Not only has every choir she has ever worked with been stellar, her conducting is among the best I have ever witnessed. On the podium she has no peer. Above all, Carol has lived her life to help and serve her fellow lovers of choral music. Like our good friend Gary Fiscus, Carol did it all without a shred of ego or self-promotion. I speak for Sandra and myself when we say welcome and job well done CAROL TRALAU!!!”

Allen Chapman

“I recall flying back from a national convention in San Antonio with a gentleman from Michigan. We talked about the many marvelous performances we had heard, but he could not stop talking about the Cedar Rapids Jefferson women, and in particular the conducting of Carol Tralau. I know no other conductor with the sense of detail that is shown through her conducting. I learn every time I watch her teach and conduct. Carol offers her entire being to her work as a choral educator, and continues to be an outstanding mentor for all of us. Jill and I say a huge thank you and congratulations to Carol! She is so deserving of the McGowan Award!”

Bob Anderson

“Carol’s inspiration has followed me throughout the stages of my teaching career. During my first teaching job, I knew of Carol’s reputation in the high school classroom proving that truly incred-ible choral music can occur at every level. Watching her singers perform at the Minneapolis convention was one of the most inspir-ing performances of my life. In my second teaching position, Carol became my mentor as she and I shared many of the same students in her voice studio and in my choirs. Her no-nonsense approach was just what I needed at the time and our success in the All-State/Solo-Ensemble contest process was due in large part to her expertise. She is the perfect combination of personality, musician, and educator.”

Andrew Last

continued on next page



As I read all of the information about Robert McCowen, I was drawn to the statements, “music was his tool to serve mankind; the relationships he developed with students in the classroom and with professional colleagues were sincere” and “ICDA chooses to honor its friends who carry the Robert McCowen flame for choral music.” Okay, now there is some criteria that maybe I can identify in myself. Music has definitely been a major tool in my life, one for which I have a deep passion and flame, and the student and collegial relationships I have developed during my career are very much like family to me.

ICDA is all about relationships and opportunities. Although I like to be in the background and “just do my own thing,” I know that so much of what Jason listed from my resumé was a result of other ICDA members’ prodding, encouraging, and helping me along the way. Teaching with Pete at Jefferson afforded me bodies, minds and voices to mold. He was the recruiter; that’s one of his strengths. My collegial network grew during that time and I’m so grateful for the opportunities to watch Allen Chap-man, Paula Keeler, and Gary Fiscus prepare students for All-State auditions. Those opportunities afforded me the chance to assess my own skills and develop my own methods to teach young men and women to sing well and artistically.

ICDA has afforded me many growth opportunities as a conductor, teacher, and human being. All of those convention appearances by the Jefferson women’s choirs forced me to truly look at my gifts as a teacher, including my teaching style, repertoire selections, rehearsal efficiency, and the develop-ment of the love of singing in my students. I remember the first letter of acceptance I received. I was jumping up and down in my apartment, hoot-ing and hollering (yeah, how cool for these kids), and then reality hit me. “My God; what have I done? Can I really develop these young ladies’ skills to the next level and provide an honorable and proud experience for them on this regional or national level?” With a mindset that we’d do our best and hope the audience wouldn’t be too critical, the girls and I ventured into some of the most memorable growth experiences of our lives (and it didn’t involve a 6-foot trophy!).

The following was a testimonial that was shared either on Facebook or the ICDA website page. It was written in response to an Iowa Arts Alliance request for support of the arts in schools. I’m sorry; I do not know the author.

“Fine Arts is a misnomer. All art is fine. However, what high school music, drama and visual arts departments gave me was the taste for more. After creating some magical memories and savoring some refin-ing moments in high school, my taste was harder to satisfy. My teach-ers deserve much of the credit; good wasn’t good enough. They (and I) wanted me to love art for its own sake – not for what I offered it, but for what it wanted from me. That desire – to love something for its own sake – transcends music. It transcends all of the senses. It transcends different types of work and different vocations. Fine arts demand that we participate in them not only at our best, but sometimes at more than we’re capable of. Meeting that challenge, in those moments, pushes us

– for the rest of our lives – to surpass our capabilities.”

My favorite lines from that testimonial are “I wanted to love art for its own sake – not for what I offered it, but for what it wanted from me. Fine arts demand that we participate in them not only at our best, but sometimes at more than we’re capable of.” How is that possible? It’s possible because the choral art is about something greater than an individual.

ACDA opportunities pushed me to strive for the best in the choral art, to not be satisfied with good enough, to surpass what I thought were my capabilities, and to learn to accept help from others. Young ICDA members, don’t be afraid to venture into all of the op-portunities that ACDA offers. You’ll find a pathway full of supportive and encouraging students, parents, and colleagues who will call a spade a spade. During this journey, you’ll be humbled and enriched by the diversity that this organization offers.

You’ll find joy and laughter in these experi-ences that will surpass more than you thought could be possible.

Speaking of laughter, there was a famous Carol who always closed her TV shows with a brief song of farewell. I have changed Carol Burnett’s lyrics to relate to ICDA and use my own sense of humor to thank everyone for their support and encouragement throughout my years in the classroom and on the podium.

I’m so glad we’ve had this time together,Just to laugh, conduct, and sing a few songs,And just about the time we think it’s over,It’s just time to start another song.

So thanks for the memories (and this honor)I truly am quite shocked, to see what I’ve

begot.I’m grateful; I’m humbled; am I smoking

pot?I thank you so much!

mccowen award presenTAtion, continued

SAVE15%

No fabric restrictions!

No minimum quantity!

Offer cannot be combined with any other offer.

[email protected] YoungquistContact your Murphy Robes representative

September 15th to December 1st 2015SALEWINTER

2015 Post-SYMPOSIUM PAGES FROM SOUNDING BOARD

Documents

Transcript of 2015 Post-SYMPOSIUM PAGES FROM SOUNDING BOARD