[toggle expand=0 title=’20/20 @ 2020′]
The work continues involving leaders within ACDA-MN to imagine what our organization will look like in the future. This comprehensive visioning process has been led by past state president Steven Albaugh and has involved close to 50 members to date. The fifth gathering of this group met on Saturday, January 27. They evaluated current organizational structure, financial viability, programs and events, and recommended expanded initiatives to keep our organization relevant and responsive to an increasingly diverse community of singers and consumers of the choral art. Major recommendations will be forwarded to the ACDA-MN Board of Directors for implementation.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’UPDATE: 2017-18 HONOR CHOIR SEASON’]
ACDA-MN will be sponsoring our final honor choir event of the academic year for students in grades 4-5-6. For the fourth year, based on overwhelming support from members teaching in the elementary grades, two choirs will be organized, one for boys and another for the girls. We encourage our elementary colleagues to personally seek out and encourage children to audition at the end of February.
2018 4-5-6 Honor Choir Schedule
Auditions Due: Friday, February 23
Director Notification: Tuesday, March 6
Scholarship Applications Due: Friday, March 16
Scholarship Notification: Tuesday, March 20
Payment and Registration Forms Due: Wednesday, March 28
Rehearsal and Concert Day: Saturday, May 6
Guest Conductors
4-5-6 Boys’ Honor Choir
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz
4-5-6 Girls’ Honor Choir
Barbara Sletto
We thank outgoing 7-8 TTB Honor Choir Co-Chairs Michael Skaar and Chris Larson for their dedicated and visionary leadership over the past decade. The honor choir program has now grown to 150 selected boys in grades 7 & 8.
Michael Skaar
Chris Larson
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[toggle expand=0 title=’HONOR CHOIR SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE’]
The F. Melius Christiansen Endowment Fund Committee has expanded their scholarship program to include needs-based scholarships for families seeking registration assistance for their child to attend honor choir day. Scholarships were awarded to 14 students and their families during the 7-8 and 9-10 honor choir programs. Funds have already been set aside to support students in the grades 4-5-6 honor choirs this coming spring. Information is posted on the ACDA-MN Honor Choir website and will be included in The Weekly Pulse as we move closer to the student notification date on March 20.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’ELEMENTARY CHOIR FORUM’]
The ACDA-MN leadership team is planning to sponsor the fourth annual Elementary Choir Forum on the 4-5-6 honor choir day scheduled for Saturday, May 5, with one extended afternoon interest session from 3:00-4:45 pm.
The event will be located at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi and will conclude in time for the start of the combined State 4-5-6 Honor Choir concert beginning at 5:30 pm. Stay tuned for more information about this great event via The Weekly Pulse in the weeks to come.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’CANDIDATES FOR STATEWIDE ELECTIONS’]
Support ACDA-MN by casting votes for a new slate of candidates who are looking forward to leading our state organization in the next several years. Members will be able to conveniently complete your online ballot from March 1-9. Candidates in these positions are as follows:
STATE SECRETARY
Sarah Abelsen
Minnewashta Elementary School, Minnetonka
Miriam Augusburger
Delano High School
METRO EAST DISTRICT CHAIR
John Habermann
Mounds Park Academy, St. Paul
Amy Johnson
Coon Rapids High School
NORTHWEST DISTRICT CHAIR
Dwight Jilek
Bemidji State University
Erynn Millard
Minnesota State University-Moorhead
See bios of these candidates in the 2/20/2018 issue of the Weekly Pulse at this link
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[toggle expand=0 title=’2018 SUMMER DIALOGUE’]
Connect • Engage • Renew
Reserve the week of August 7-10, 2018 to attend the 33rd annual Summer Dialogue located this year at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Conference Chair Susan Zemlin has been planning an outstanding program that will offer relevant interest sessions, new music reading sessions, social events, and multiple opportunities to dialogue with one another throughout the four day schedule. The Summer Dialogue registration website will open on May 1.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’FMC SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES’]
We encourage ACDA-MN members to take advantage of remaining scholarship opportunities offered by the FMC Endowment Fund Committee. Each academic year, a generous amount of funds are available for students and emerging conductors to support their graduate studies and professional development opportunities.
Application deadlines for remaining scholarship awards in 2018:
- April 1 – Graduate Study Scholarships for full-time and part-time students
- April 1 – Alice T. Larsen Memorial Scholarship for a female ACDA-MN member to pursue graduate studies.
- June 1 – Summer Dialogue Scholarships for college/university students, and for ACDA-MN members attending their first Summer Dialogue regardless of years of experience.
Complete application information is available at: http://acda-mn.com/scholarships/
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[toggle expand=0 title=’2018 ANNUAL AWARDS’]
The following awards will be presented during the 2018 State Conference this November 16-17:
- F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award
- Minnesota Choral Director of the Year Award
- Outstanding Young Choral Director Award
- Creative Programming Award for College/University or Community Choruses
On-line nominations and applications for all award levels are due to the ACDA-MN state office on or before May 1.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’STATE CONFERENCE’]
Mark your calendars for the annual ACDA-MN State Conference scheduled for Friday-Saturday, November 16-17, 2018 located at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. Complete program details will be featured in the Star of the North spring issue.
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