Texas Sings! Spring 2009

NON-PROFITU.S. Postage Paid

Austin, TexasPermit No. 789

TTEEXXAASS SSSIINNGGSS!!!VOLUME 25 NUMBER 3 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TEXAS CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION SPRING 2009

54th AnnualConvention

San Antonio

2009 SPR TS 10: 2005 Spring Texas Sings! FINAL 4/13/09 5:43 PM Page 1

2009 SUMMER CONVENTIONThursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 11

TOPEKA HOLIDOME

HEADLINERS AND TOPICS

• Jonathan Reed, Michigan State University: Building Resonance and Energizing Rehearsal: The perfectwarm-ups and Male Chorus 101: The care and feeding of adolescent male (and beyond) singers

• Sandra Snow, Michigan State University: Sound Tapestries: Developing a color spectrum in youngtreble voices and Singing with Intention: Bringing vitality to choral tone through diction and articulation

• William Powell, Auburn University: Experiencing Gospel Music and Choral Arranging for Your Choir:Making the music fit your choir

• Rosephanye Dunn-Powell, Auburn University: Voice Care Concerns for Choral Directors and Singers

CONCERTS

• KCDA All-State Women’s Choir under the direction of Rosephanye Dunn-Powell• Wichita Chamber Chorale, under the guest-direction of Dr. John Buhler

SPECIAL INTERESTS SESSIONS

• Mark Hayes Reading Session: The Music of Mark Hayes• KCDA Member Break-out Sessions: Ideas for the Outstanding Elementary Choirs; Current Issues

in High School Choral Music; Music Diction and Language; Issues in Middle/Junior High Choral Music

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

• Charles Robinson, UMKC: Meaningful Relationships, Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life

10 READING SESSIONS!Log on to www.kansaschoral.com for more registration information!

Hotel information: Holiday Inn West Topeka, 605 SW Fairlawn Rd, Topeka KS, 66606 For hotel reservations call: 785-272-8040


Spring 2009 TEXAS√SINGS! 3

TEXAS SINGS!

OFFICERS

Volume 25 Number 3 Spring 2009

PRESIDENTBob Horton, The Woodlands

PRESIDENT ELECTAmy Allibon, Fort Worth

PAST PRESIDENTDanny Detrick, North Richland Hills

COLLEGE/COMMUNITYVICE PRESIDENTDr John Silantien, San Antonio

HIGH SCHOOL VICE PRESIDENTBilly Talley, Amarillo

MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGHVICE PRESIDENTKathy Lollar, Odessa

ELEMENTARY VICE PRESIDENTKaren Gonzalez, Garland

CHURCH VICE PRESIDENTThomas Coker, Houston

SECRETARY/TREASURERJanwin Overstreet-Goode, Friendswood

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDan L Wood, Austin

EDITORDan L Wood

ART DIRECTORJames A Black, Coppell

PUBLISHERGood/Wood AssociatesPO Box 6472Austin, Texas 78762

Candidates for TCDA Board of Directors 4

President’s Page 11Convention 2009 Previewby Bob Horton

Performing Groups 12-15

Clinicians 16-17

Conductors 17

Tentative Schedule 18

Accompanists 19

Officer Comments 20

Official Publication of theTexas Choral Directors Association

7900 Centre Park Drive, Suite AAustin, TX 78754

512/474-2801Copyright 2009 by Texas Choral Directors

Association. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Executive Director. TCDA is an

affiliate of ACDA

TEXAS SINGS!TEXAS SINGS!TABLE OF CONTENTS

On the Cover:San Antonio, host city for the 2009 AnnualTCDA Convention and New Music ReadingClinic, offers a wealth of cultural, historic, and entertainment attractions. This year’sConvention meets July 29 through August 1 at the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center.

Cover photos courtesy of the San Antonio Conventionand Visitors Bureau

TCDA Mission StatementThe mission of TCDA is to support and foster the success of

Texas choral directors and music teachers and to instill a love ofmusic in every Texas school, church, and community singer.

2009 TCDA Convention DatesWednesday, July 29 - Saturday, August 1


4 TEXAS√SINGS! Spring 2009

Gene Holkup is in his 20th year of

teaching choral music. He is the headchoral director at Hanna HS inBrownsville, a position he has held sincethe fall of 2007. He earned a BM in vocalperformance from the University ofNorth Dakota and an MM in choralconducting from Sam Houston StateUniversity, where he served as graduateassistant to Dr Bev Henson.

Gene is a member of TCDA, TMEA,TMAA, ATPE, and Pi Kappa Lambda.Choirs under his direction have consis-tently earned Superior Ratings andSweepstakes. He is active as an adjudica-tor and clinician. He has served TMEARegion XV as MS Vocal Coordinator,Region Vice President, and the Vocal

Representative to the UIL Music Adviso-ry Committee for Region XV and RegionXXVIII. He has served on the TMEAConvention Facilities Team and as amember of the UIL Sightreading MusicSelection Committee. He has servedTCDA as a Reading Session Conductorand as a member of the Hospitality, Waysand Means, and Nominations Commit-tees. Gene is listed in Who’s Who AmongAmerica’s Teachers and the NationalHonor Roll of Outstanding AmericanTeachers.

Prior to his current position, Geneserved as choral director at McAllenMemorial HS, Edinburg South MS,Edinburg North HS, and Calallen MS.

Mark Baker has served as musiceducator for the past 29 years, teachingstudents on the elementary, middleschool and high school level. He is in his6th year as Head Choral Director atDenton HS and serves as Fine ArtsDepartment Chair. DHS Choraleperformed at SWACDA in 2005 in StLouis MO. They also performed incathedrals both in England in 2005 andin Germany and Austria in 2007. InMarch, 2009, the DHS Chorale per-formed at the Sunday morning service inthe West Point Chapel in New York.

During his 12-year tenure at Strick-land MS, Mark had two TMEA HonorChoirs – Eighth Grade Treble in 1997,and Seventh and Eighth Grade Men in2000. Choirs under Mark’s directionhave consistently earned Sweepstakesawards at UIL contests and have wonGrand Champion performance awards atSan Antonio, Houston, and Winter Park.

Mark has served in a number ofleadership positions in TMEA, includingHigh School Region Chair and MiddleSchool Region Chair. Two of the termsin which he served as Region Chair werewhen new regions were being formedand he provided leadership in meldingdifferent regions’ policies into a newRegion Handbook. He also served as theTMEA All-State Men’s Choir SectionLeader in 2008.

During his almost three decades ofteaching, Mark has been the recipient ofnumerous awards, including beingnamed “Teacher of the Year” for DentonISD in 1996. He has been named inWho’s Who Among America’s Teachers onnumerous occasions, and was presentedthe prestigious CARE award by theGreater Denton Arts Council in 1997 forpromoting arts in the community.

For 28 years Mark has also served asa church choral director. He is currentlyMinister of Music at Euless FUMC.Mark and his wife, Vicki, who is theCoordinator of Music Education at TexasWoman’s University, are currentlycollaborating on writing a book on howto develop and sustain a choir program.They live in Denton with their threedogs, Max, Gracie, and Millie.

If elected . . .If elected TCDA HS Vice President, I

will strive to:

• Provide leadership in addressingcritical issues facing Texas choral musiceducators including the recruitment andretention of students in light of the 4 X 4graduation plan.

• Ensure that quality choral litera-ture will be provided at music readingsessions.

• Encourage high schools to formTexas Future Music Educators Chapterson their campuses to encourage studentsto pursue music education in college.

• Plan insightful and informativesessions and clinicians to generategreater attendance at the TCDAConvention. √

Candidates for TCDA Board of DirectorsThree Board members will be elected at the TCDA Convention in San Antonio.

To help you become familiar with the candidates, a short vita and personal statement by each candidate follow.

Baker

High School Vice President

Holkup



High School Vice President

Sharon Paul is in her 28th year ofteaching choral music in Texas andcurrently in her 12th year as HeadChoral Director at Cypress Creek HS inthe Cy-Fair ISD. The choirs of Cypress

Creek have earned consistent UILsweepstakes, outstanding performanceawards at contests throughout the state,and performed in Florida, California,and New York. Prior to Cypress Creek,Sharon taught in the Klein ISD atWunderlich MS. Under her direction,the Wunderlich Advanced Girls wereinvited to perform for the 1990 TMEAConvention.

Sharon has served TCDA, TMEA,and TMAA in a number of capacities atthe region and state levels. She washonored to have recently served TMEAas Vocal Division Vice-President from2005-08. She has served TCDA as aconductor and on the Ways and MeansCommittee. Additionally, Ms Paul hasserved TMEA as All-State Treble ChoirOrganizer, All-State Mixed SectionLeader, Region 27 Secretary 2006-09,

Region 23 Vocal Division Chair, andRegion 9 Middle School Vocal DivisionChair. She has also served UIL as Sight-reading Committee Chair. Sharonpresently serves as Fine Arts Depart-ment Chair at Cypress Creek.

As an active UIL adjudicator andclinician throughout the state, Sharonhas conducted high school and middleschool region choirs in Texas. She wasnamed to Who’s Who Among America’sTeachers, 2005-06, and was honored asthe “Spotlight Teacher of the Year” fromCypress-Creek HS in 2001. Ms Paul hasalso been nominated for “Texas Teacherof the Year”.

Sharon holds an MM from SamHouston State University and a BMEfrom the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She is a member of TMAA,

Paul

He resides in Rancho Viejo with his wife,Linda, also a choral director, and threecats, Duchess, Lady, and Princess.

If elected . . .It would be a privilege to serve

TCDA. I would like to continue tobuild on the strength of the leadershipand traditions of TCDA. Some areasthat I would endeavor to improve arerecruiting and retaining excellent choraldirectors, providing sessions that arerelevant to the issues we face on a dailybasis, and continuing to keep the Texas

choral music tradition alive and well.I have been blessed to have the

advice of friends from TCDA through-out my career. I would like to encour-age and strengthen this camaraderiethroughout our association. We needto build connections between our newmembers and our more experiencedmembers to inject vitality and promoteour fine choral heritage.

I am excited to select quality choralliterature for TCDA Reading Sessions.Since one of my strengths is knowledgeof choral repertoire, I look forward to

the challenge of selecting music thatwill provide options for the diverseneeds and capabilities of our choralmusic programs throughout the state.

It has been my privilege to teachchoral music in Texas. TCDA hasallowed me to form a network of choraldirector friends who have served asmentors guiding my development as ateacher. It is because of their inspira-tion that I aspire to help others in ourprofession. I look forward to theopportunity to serve TCDA as your HSDivision Vice President. √

Casey McCollough is in his ninthyear of teaching choral music in Texaspublic schools. He began as the assistantat Bedford JH in HEB ISD, and then

went to Lakeview Centennial HS inGarland ISD where he served as headdirector for two years. Currently he iscompleting his sixth year as head directorat John Horn HS in Mesquite. He is thedirector of a program with 400 studentsthat encompass nine performanceensembles. Choirs under Casey’sdirection have consistently been awardedSweepstakes at UIL competition.

Casey has been recognized twice inWho’s Who Among America’s Teachersand was most recently acknowledged bythe UIL as an “Outstanding UIL Spon-sor” in 2004-2005. Currently he isserving his second term as TMEA Area CVocal Chair. Casey holds a BME andMM from Texas Christian University,and continued studies at the ViennaConservatory of Music. He is a member

of TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, and Phi MuAlpha. He currently resides in Sachsewith his wife Natalie, son Kylan, and twodogs, Sadie and Sugar.

If elected . . .I would be honored at the opportu-

nity to serve TCDA and the choraldirectors of Texas. If elected I wouldcontinue the excellence of TCDA bystriving to provide thoughtfulclinics/workshops and providingmeaningful music for reading sessions. Iwould lend ear to the membership andwelcome new ideas and suggestions. Iwould bring my organizational skills toassist the Board and I would bring mypassion and energy to every Convention.My goal is to support every music edu-cator in all facets of our profession. √

McCollough

Continued on page 17



Tammy L Benton is a native Texanwho began her choral experience as ahigh school student in Midland Leechoirs under the direction of DougBrown. She graduated from BaylorUniversity School of Music in 1997earning a BME with an emphasis invoice. While at Baylor she studied voicewith Lynda Keith McKnight and Dr JohnVan Cura, and piano pedagogy with JaneAbbott-Kirk. She was a member ofBaylor A Cappella Choir under thedirection of Donald Bailey, and sang inBaylor 21 under Dr Hugh Sanders.

In 2000 Benton was the guestclinician for the Waco ISD sixth gradeAll-City Honor Choir. She has alsoserved as a TCDA clinician in 2004 and2006 in workshops for middle schoolrepertoire and teaching adolescent boys.She has led several in-services andworkshops around the state on recruitingand building a boys choir. She continues

to receive invitations throughout thestate to clinic and conduct Treble as wellas Tenor-Bass All-Region Choirs.

In 2005 her Combined Boys Choirreceived the school’s first invitation toperform at the TMEA Convention. HerSelect Boys Choir was honored with aninvitation to perform for the 2005 WhiteHouse Christmas in Washington DC. Inthe past she has served on theTMAC/TMEA committee aligning ourTexas music education curriculum aswell as adjudicating and conducting all-region choirs around the state. Tammyreceived an invitation to travel toUganda, Africa, last summer to teachfifth -eighth grade children in theMwangaza Children’s choir. Herhusband, Gary, and their 7-year-old son,Taylor, spent close to a month in thecountry.

She is currently in her 12th year asdirector of the Midway MS choralprogram in Waco. The program has 200students in six performing choirs. Thechoirs include a 70-member boyschoir, a45-member select choir known asPanther Chorale, and a 40-memberseventh grade girls choir. PantherChorale performs an a cappella concertin the rotunda of our State Capitol everyyear as well as the national anthem atBaylor Athletic events and the DellDiamond in Round Rock.

All choirs have consistently earnedsweepstakes under her direction and herstudents participate heavily in All-Regionauditions. Benton’s professionalaffiliations include TMEA, TCDA, and

ACDA. She resides in Waco with herhusband, Gary, who teaches at HillCollege in Hillsboro, and her third gradeson, Taylor.

If elected . . .It is certainly a privilege for me to

accept the invitation for candidacy toserve on our TCDA Board of Directors.If elected to this honorable position Iwould promise to:

• Continue with the strong leader-ship and wisdom given by past MS/JHVPs.

• Aim to find the best in choralselections that are both interesting,creative, and age-appropriate for theReading Sessions.

• Actively pursue the very bestavailable clinicians/conductors who willbring creativity and inspiration to theworkshops.

• Provide meaningful opportunitiesin professional growth for our ownMS/JH directors by using them in futureTCDA presentations.

• Work hard to continue the strongand popular tradition of our TCDAMiddle School Honor Choir by bringingin the best choral music and conductorfor this age.

• Purpose to work collaborativelywith other members of the board as wellas my esteemed middle school colleaguesin making the choices that benefit thewhole.

• Enlighten, encourage, and evenentertain my profession with informativearticles in our Texas Sings! magazine. √

Benton

Middle School/Junior High Vice President

Craig Griffith is currently in his 25thyear as a Texas choral director and his

14th year at Abell JH where there areover 240 students in four performingensembles. He is in his ninth year as co-director of the Lee Freshman HS Choirsin Midland where there are 100 studentsin two ensembles. He is also serving asthe Minister of Music at Trinity Presby-terian Church in Midland. Craig is agraduate of Robert Service HS inAnchorage AK, and is a 1982 graduate ofEast Texas Baptist College where he was amember of the Concert Choir under thedirection of Jim Moore. Prior to movingto Midland, Craig taught at Liberty-Eylau JH and HS, P E Wallace JH in MtPleasant, and Wills Point JH, where hehad the privilege of developing the choirprogram. He was chosen as Abell’s

“Teacher of the Year” in 2001. Craig has served Region VI as Junior

High Vocal Coordinator for five yearsand Region Secretary and Vice President.Under his direction the Abell Choirs andLee Freshman Choirs have consistentlyearned Sweepstakes and First Divisionratings at UIL Concert and SightreadingContests. His choirs also have received“Best in Class” and “Best in Contest”awards at invitational contests inLubbock, Amarillo, and Dallas. He hasserved as clinician and UIL judgethroughout the state and is currently amember of TMEA, TCDA, and TCTA.Craig resides in Midland with his wife,Davelyn, an elementary school teacher.They have two daughters, both of whom

Griffith



are currently attending Liberty Universi-ty in Lynchburg VA.

If elected . . .It is an honor to be nominated

for the office of Middle School/JuniorHigh Vice President. If elected I will:

• Continue the incredible profession-

alism and high standards that all the pastMiddle School/Junior High Vice-Presidents have exhibited.

• Enlist clinicians/conductors that willprovide insightful teaching techniques.

• Listen to directors from every partof the state and strive to incorporatetheir ideas and provide answers to their

questions.• Select the very best new music for

our reading sessions along with opportu-nities to read “Tried and True” octavos.

• Work hand in hand with the otherBoard members to continue to makeavailable to you the very best ourprofession has to offer. √

Middle School/Junior High Vice President

Greg Haugen is in his 10th year ofteaching. After graduating from DallasBaptist University, Greg became theassistant choir director at Nichols JH inArlington in 1999 and served as theassistant until 2001 when he became thehead director. Under his direction Greg’schoirs are consistent sweepstakes winners

and have been named “Best in Class” atarea spring competitions. In 2007 theNichols JH Men of the Mustang Choralewere given the high honor of performingat TMEA.

Greg served as MS/JH chair forRegion V for ‘06-‘07 and ‘07-08, earning anew respect for his region chair predeces-sors. Active as both a clinician andadjudicator, he is a member of TMEA,TCDA, and TMAA, and enjoys meetingand working with great directors aroundthe state. He was given the honor beingnamed a Minyard’s “First Class Teacher”in 2005, an Honorary PTA Membershipin 2007, and received the “Servant Leaderin Education Award” from the College ofEducation at Dallas Baptist in 2008.

In addition to his work at Nichols JH,Greg Haugen is also the youth choirdirector at FUMC in Arlington and leadsworship in the contemporary service. Hehas also re-discovered the importance ofsinging in a choir regularly and is a

member of the Arlington Master Chorale.Even though Greg keeps a pretty full

work/church schedule, he still finds timeto mix in a little golf and is the short stopon the Nichols faculty softball team. Heand his wife, Amy, live in Arlington withtheir three strikingly beautiful children,Karalyn (7), Erica (4), and Jack (1).

If elected . . .It would be my honor to serve the

fine MS/JH directors of our great state. Ireally enjoyed serving Region V as itsMS/JH chair a few years ago and realizedhow rewarding it is to be a servant of mycolleagues.

Knowing you have such expertise inour field of teaching young teenagers, Iwould look forward to not only beingyour voice on the TCDA Board, butlearning from you as well. It would trulybe exciting to meet more of you and learnwhat you have to offer by way of presen-tations and clinics at TCDA. √

Haugen

Dianna L Jarvis is in her 23rd yearas a music educator and her 11th yearat Bush MS. She holds a BME and anMM from The University of Texas inSan Antonio. Under her leadership, theBush Choral Department has earned 40sweepstakes trophies in 11 years and

currently has a membership of over 220students. In 2004 the Bush ChamberChorus had the privilege of performingfor the TMEA Convention. Three ofthe Bush Choirs have served as demon-stration groups during the past sevenyears. Ms Jarvis was selected as amember of Who’s Who Among Ameri-can Teachers in 1998, 2000, 2002, and2003. She has served as the Region 12Middle School Chair, as a TMAAadjudicator and is currently one of theRegion 12 representatives on the TMEAAdvisory Board. She was appointed amember of both the UIL Sightreadingand PML Committees. Dianna hasserved TCDA as a hospitality commit-tee chair and as a conductor of severalreading sessions. She feels that hermost important role as an educator isto assist students in becoming lifelongconsumers of music and to serve as amentor to young teachers.

If elected . . .I am truly honored to have been

nominated for MS/JH Vice President.TCDA has played a profound role in mydevelopment as a music educator throughproviding meaningful summer conven-tions and opportunities to network withgifted teachers throughout Texas.

If elected to the TCDA Board, I willwork to continue the tradition of excel-lence set by the MS/JH vice presidentswho have served this organization so aptlyin the past. I would like to incorporateTCDA Convention sessions designed tosupport and encourage those in ourprofession who are in the first five years oftheir career. Additionally, I will work tocreate a TCDA Convention that will assistteachers in jump-starting their new schoolyear. I understand the importance ofproductive reading sessions and work-shops that inspire us all to expand ourtalents and abilities as music educators. √

Jarvis





Marian Cates is in her 25th year ofteaching secondary choral music. She iscurrently teaching at Ed Rawlinson MSin San Antonio where she has beenemployed with Northside ISD for 13years. Prior to her tenure at Rawlinson,she was the choral director at Taft HSand Stevenson MS, also in Northside.

Marian has taught choral music insmall and large districts, including

Victoria, Hudson, Garland, and MtPleasant. She holds a BFA from StephenF Austin State University in Nacog-doches and an MA degree from theUniversity of North Texas in Denton.

As a long-time TMAA member,Marian serves as a clinician andadjudicator across the state. Her choirsconsistently earn UIL Sweepstakes andOutstanding Performance awards.Marian is serving her seventh term asRegion XI Secretary, and is currently aTMEA State Board and UIL MusicAdvisory Board member. She hasserved TMEA as Middle School Coordi-nator for Regions IV and XI. For over10 years, Marian has served UIL asRegion XI Choral HS/MS Chair. Inaddition she has served TCDA as amember of the Hospitality and AATcommittees.

Marian is a member of Pi KappaLambda, Mu Phi Epsilon, ACDA, TCDA,TMEA, and TMAA. She resides inHelotes with her husband, Tom, andtheir two daughters, Kendra, and Alison.

If elected . . .It is an honor to be nominated for the

office of Secretary/Treasurer. If elected Ipromise to dedicate myself to serving theneeds of the membership. Throughoutmy teaching career, I have appreciatedTCDA and its Convention for establishinga vital link between my colleagues and me,providing new repertoire in the readingsessions, and informative workshops tofuel my teaching strategies.

Our organization nurtures both newand experienced music teachers as wepursue the highest level of our art.Teaching in the 21st century poses manychallenges, and I firmly believe that TCDAand its members can unite to offer thefinest musical education for our students.

If elected as Secretary/Treasurer, I willdedicate my time and energy to TCDAand encourage my fellow music educatorsto take advantage of our meaningfulmusical experiences. By using the invalu-able resources of our organization, we willsee the music students of today becomethe music educators of tomorrow. √

Cates

Robin Brockway-Nichols is theDirector of Choirs at Newman SmithHS in the Carrollton–Farmers BranchISD. The choral program at Smith hasgrown to include seven performingensembles during her tenure. Theseensembles consistently earn Sweep-stakes awards at UIL Concert andSightreading Contest and have earnednumerous “Best in Class” honors.

Ms Brockway-Nichols began herteaching career at Bowman MS in herhometown of Plano after several yearsworking as a professional pianist andsinger. She thoroughly enjoyed sixyears as the Associate Choral Directorat Haltom HS. In the fall of 2003 MsBrockway-Nichols became the Directorof Choirs at Newman Smith. She hasconducted several TMEA RegionChoirs in North Texas and is in demandas a clinician and collaborativeaccompanist. In February, 2004, MsBrockway-Nichols accompanied theTexas All-State Treble Choir, conductedby ELEKTRA Artistic Director MornaEdmundson.

Professional affiliations includeACDA, TCDA, TMAA, and Pi KappaLambda. Robin is on the State Board ofTMEA as TMEA Region XXIV Secre-tary and currently serves on the TMEA/TMAC Curriculum and AssessmentCommittee. She has been recognizedby Who’s Who Among AmericanTeachers and serves as Communications

Elder and Youth Choir Director at SaintBarnabas Presbyterian Church inRichardson.

If elected . . .I will never forget my first TCDA

Convention experience oh so manyyears ago! I had just completed the firstmomentous year of my teaching careerand was agog at the gathering of peoplededicated to excellence in choral music.I began to understand that I was notalone in my struggles, and that help andinspiration were available to me inspades. TCDA and its members havenever failed me, which is why I passion-ately desire to serve. Yes, I am ameticulous, detail-oriented person andlook forward to handling the tasksrequired of the Secretary/Treasurer withefficiency and expertise. But most ofall, I look forward to serving themembership by being a positive voiceand an outspoken cheerleader for ourcalling as choral directors if I amfortunate enough to earn your vote. √

Brockway-Nichols

Secretary/Treasurer

2009 Convention Exhibit HoursExhibits open on Wednesday at 3:00 pm and will close Friday at 4:00 pm – not open Saturday.


Beverly Hirsch is in her 33rd yearof teaching and is currently teaching atJ L Long MS in Dallas. The choralprogram at Long has over 200 students infive performing groups. Choirs under herdirection have received consistentsweepstakes ratings at UIL and “Best InClass” awards at festivals throughout thestate. She has consistently placed

numerous students in All-City and All-Region Choirs. The goal of the choirprogram is to, of course, teach studentsmusical skills, but its greatest benefit is tobuild students’ self esteem, instill a strongwork ethic, and to create a program thatengenders a sense of belonging.

Mrs Hirsch is a product of the DallasISD graduating from Bryan Adams HS.She received her BM from SouthernMethodist University and has donegraduate work at East Texas StateUniversity. Beverly has served as Depart-ment Chair for Electives and MentorChair of new teachers at Long since 1992.She has served her TMEA Region as JHVocal Coordinator for 18 years, RegionSecretary for eight years, and Region VicePresident for four years. She has servedTCDA as alto section leader for MiddleSchool Honor Choir, and as a clinician.Beverly has served Dallas ISD as acurriculum writer for middle school vocalteachers, mentor workshops for newteachers to the district, and workshops for

vocal teachers.Beverly holds a life PTA membership,

was named “Teacher of the Year” at PearlC Anderson, Teacher of the Year at J LLong and was a Finalist for “Teacher ofthe Year” for Dallas ISD. She is a memberof TMEA and TCDA. Beverly lives inDallas with her husband, David, andeight cats.

If elected . . .If elected TCDA Secretary/Treasur-

er, I would maintain the high stan-dards already set by TCDA leaders andits membership. TCDA is a greatorganization and has a most inspiringConvention that all teachers need toattend. Attending the Conventioneach year gives me a jump-start for theupcoming school year. I would like tosee TCDA members reach out to newteachers to become part of thisorganization. I am honored to benominated and look forward toserving the membership if elected. √

Kay W Owens has taught secondarychoral music in public schools for 26years. Prior to joining Arlington ISD in1993, she taught elementary, juniorhigh, and high school choirs in Natchezand Tupelo MS. She received a BMEwith emphasis in piano and voice fromMississippi State University in 1983,and an MM in choral conducting from

Mississippi College in 2000. Shestudied with Dr Richard Joiner and DrJames Meaders.

Ms Owens is in her 11th year atMartin HS in Arlington ISD. Duringher tenure as the assistant director atMartin, Chamber Singers performed atthe 1999 Fringe Festival in AberdeenScotland, TMEA, and ACDA in 2005.Owens was named the head director in2006. Chorale debuted at CarnegieHall 2006. The Martin Varsity WomensChoir performed for TMEA in 2008.Kay is also the organist at First BaptistChurch, Arlington.

Ms Owens is a member of MENC,TMEA, ACDA, TCDA, AGO, Who’sWho Among American Teachers, andSigma Alpha Iota Sorority. Kay wasnamed AISD “Teacher of the Year” in1996. Owens was the recipient of theTCDA Abbott-IPCO ProfessionalScholarship presented by TCDA in2000. She served three years astreasurer for Region V Vocal Division,

two years as chair-elect, and two yearsas region chair. Most recently Owenswas named the “2009 Alumnus of theYear” for the Mississippi CollegeSchool of Music.

If elected . . .I would truly enjoy the opportunity

to serve TCDA as Secretary/Treasurer.If elected I would continue the strongleadership from the Board that hasbeen established in the past. I haveenjoyed many opportunities to lead inmy region, and welcome this as anopportunity to serve on the state levelin support of our profession. I willgladly work with other members of theBoard to create wonderful musicalexperiences through clinics/workshops,honor choirs, performance venues, andreading sessions. I will give my time,energy, and passion for this professionthat I love so much – choral music. Iwould be honored to serve is elected asSecretary/Treasurer of TCDA. √

Owens


Secretary/Treasurer

Hirsch

TCDA MembersOn-Line

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Congratulations to the fine Texaschoirs, directors, and individualswhose outstanding performances

impressed those in attendance at theACDA National Convention in Okla-homa City, March 4-7. On behalf ofTCDA, I extend thanks and congratula-tions to ACDA President-Elect JerryMcCoy and his hard-working team foran outstanding convention. Stan McGill,Robert Stovall, and numerous otherTexas choir directors served on theplanning team and organized andmanaged facilities for the convention.

The Lone Star State was certainlywell represented at ACDA by thefollowing Texas groups and individuals:

UT Chamber Singers – JamesMorrow, director;

Tascosa HS Treble Choir – BillyTalley, director;

Clear Creek Symphonic Chorale –Kyle and Sean Pullen, directors;

Children’s Choir of Dallas – CynthiaNott, director.

Interest sessions were led by Texasconductors John Silantien and DerrickBrookins. Many schools and directorsfrom Texas sent students to participatein the Honor Choir experience.

Have you made your summer plans?For many people, the current economy ishelping us focus on quality decisionsabout plans for the summer. I hope thatyour plans include coming to the annualTCDA Convention.

As TCDA President, I receive ACDAstate and divisional magazines fromaround the United States. Many of themare advertising their summer conven-tions. The cost of these conventionsranges from comparable to ours (about$100) to almost $300 to register, and theconventions are usually one or two days,ours covers four days. The value of our

Convention is exceptional.Our Convention has over 25

workshops, 13 reading sessions of newlypublished music, a MS/JH Honor Choirwith Judy Bowers, a Directors Choruswith Z Randall Stroope, a worship event,and TCDA’s Got Talent! I am grateful tothe TCDA Board members who haveworked for months to plan an excep-tional Convention.

TCDA 2009The dates for the TCDA summer

Convention are July 30 - August 1. Aslast year, exhibits will open onWednesday, as registration opens. Youwill have three hours of uninterruptedtime to visit our exhibit hall on thefirst day of the Convention! We haveover 300 booths in our exhibits.Encourage your favorite vendor to be apart of the Convention by contactingour office.

Your TCDA Board of Directors hasbeen working very hard to plan andimplement a Convention that will beboth informative and entertaining. TheBoard has planned many interestingsessions with you in mind. As you readthrough this issue of Texas Sings!, youwill be convinced that this convention is

one you’ll not want to miss.

Convention HighlightsWeston Noble will be a featured

clinician as he shares some of his 60-plusyears of experiences in our profession.Weston Noble’s appearance is partiallysubsidized by Quaid-Schott Media,which has produced a full-length DVDabout his life and work. His full bioappears elsewhere in this magazine.

Judy Bowers of Florida StateUniversity will be a featured clinician.She will work with our auditionedMS/JH Chorus, and presenting a clinicfor the membership. The MS/JH willpremiere a TCDA Commissioned Workby Earlene Rentz.

Dr Z Randall Stroope will conduct aDirector’s Chorus, which will performon Saturday morning. Stroope will alsobe a featured clinician for two highschool division workshops.

In addition to these three featuredclinicians, we will have many practicalworkshops led by some of Texas’ finestteachers. They will address areas specificto Elementary, Middle School, HighSchool, Church, and College/ Commu-nity. We will also have 13 readingsessions in these various areas. Duringthese sessions, you will be able to readnewly published music, selected by theTCDA Board. Our publisher partnershave graciously supplied complimentarycopies of these selected octavos for yourperusal.

Reading Session MusicTCDA was founded to be a new

music reading clinic. I am proud thatover the last 54 years we have adapted tothe needs of each era, but held true toour founding mission. We annually readover 200 new titles at our Convention.Just a few thoughts on how this happens:

First, I would like to thank your

byTCDA PresidentBob Horton

Convention 2009 Preview

President’s Page

President Bob Horton



Arlington Master ChoralePERFORMING GROUPS

The Arlington Master Chorale wasfounded in 1973 under the direction ofMr Michael Kemp, Minister of Music atFirst Presbyterian Church of Arlington.The chorus operated for several years asthe Arlington Civic Chorus and theArlington Choral Society. In the spring of2005, the organization formally adoptedits current name. As the ArlingtonMaster Chorale, the ensemble continues along tradition of excellence in theperformance of classical music for thecitizens of the Arlington and surroundingcommunities as it enhances Arlington’sreputation as a center for cultural arts.AMC’s 2007 season included a perfor-mance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony withthe Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra anda Carnegie Hall debut. Other AMC

performances include Brahm’s Requiem,in April 2008, Bernstein’s ChichesterPsalms, and Orff ’s Carmina Burana in

April 2009 at theMorton Meyer-son SymphonyHall in Dallas.The ArlingtonMaster Choraleis a self-support-ing, non-profit,volunteerchorus, com-posed of

community singers whose full-timeoccupations are as varied as the chorus’repertoire. Members are accepted byaudition requiring demonstration of theirvocal range and quality, as well as their

ability to sight-sing challenging notes andrhythms.

Since its inception, the MasterChorale has steadily grown in profession-alism, in overall quality, and in criticalacclaim within the Metroplex artscommunity. Although an accomplished acapella choir, AMC is one of the few areachoruses that regularly also performswith orchestra.

Randy Jordan is in his fifth year asdirector of The Arlington MasterChorale. His previous appointmentshave been Head Choral Director at AzleHS in Azle, for seven years, and HeadChoral Director for Martin HS inArlington for 23 years where he alsoserved as Fine Arts Department Chair. Inaddition he has served as choral director

Randy Jordan

Board for the many hours they spendreading new music and selecting titlesfor you to hear at our Convention. Asyou may or may not know, each Boardmember receives new music publishedin the school year. The music is fromthe publishers who wish to participatein this process. Starting in Septemberand going until early May, we, theBoard, receive about 3,000 pieces ofmusic to read and consider.

Each Board member works indepen-dently. As we make our selections werank by title, composer, publisher,voicing, and category, and send rankingsto our music vendor by email to betallied. A list of all the songs we selected

and the number of votes each piecereceived is given to us at our Mayplanning meeting. Pieces receiving thehighest votes are placed in the appropri-ate reading session. The Board does notdiscuss their selections until the Mayplanning meeting. We then submit a listfor each reading session to the publish-ers, who supply us with the complimen-tary copies you see in the readingpackets.

Please know that the TCDA Board isresponsible for the selection of themusic for all the reading sessions exceptfor the All-State session and workshoppackets. The newly-read material isintended to supplement our program

selections and to expose us to the newgems in choral music

Final ThoughtsYour TCDA Board wishes you a

wonderful summer. Be good to yourselfand take care to nurture the teacher,conductor, and artist within you. Don’tforget to invest in your own life-longlearning. The TCDA Convention will bea vital part of that plan!

Pre-registration information is inthis magazine as well as online at www.TexasSings.org. I encourage you to pre-register and also to contribute to ourScholarship Fund. See you in SanAntonio at the end of July! √



The Chancel Choir of First UnitedMethodist Church, Midland madehistory in 2008 with two performancesat the White House. At the invitation ofthen President George W and Mrs LauraBush they were the first choir in historyto have sung at the White House for apresidential party. Mrs Bush is a formermember of the Chancel Choir, and theBushes’ daughters, Barbara and Jenna,sang in the children’s choirs. The choiralso had the privilege of performing forthe Bush Homecoming Celebration, atwhich they sang the national anthemwith country headliners Lee Greenwoodand The Gatlin Brothers. Opera divasSusan Graham and Luretta Bybee weremembers of First Church Choirs. The

Chancel Choir has also sung at CarnegieHall, and will again in June 2010, underthe direction of their director, DrThomas Vozzella. This is their firstTCDA performance.

Thomas R Vozzella is currently inhis fourth year as the Director ofWorship Arts at FUMC, Midland, wherehe is also the Headmaster of the DollyeNeal Worship Arts Academy. DrVozzella has taught at institutions ofhigher education in Arkansas,Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina,Alabama, and Kansas. In addition to histeaching positions, he has served as amusic director/organist around thecountry since the age of 15.

Choirs under his direction have

consistantly received superior ratingsand have performed for the KansasMEA, the Tennessee CDA, and now havethe honor of performing for TCDA.

Thomas has toured as a conductorand organist in 26 states, WashingtonDC, and in Italy, Austria, Germany,France, England, Holland, The Nether-lands, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and theUkraine. During his tenure at FUMC ElDorado AR, the adult and youth choirswere heard on NPR’s “PerformanceToday”. Dr Vozzella earned his DMAfrom the University of South Carolina,MM from Northeast Louisiana Univer-sity (University of Louisiana, Monroe),and his BM from Eastern NazareneCollege. Additional work was complet-

First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir – Midland

Thomas Vozella

PERFORMING GROUPSat Azle Christian Church, St MatthewUMC, and St Barnabas UMC. Mr Jordanis currently serving as Associate Choir-master at University Christian Church inFort Worth under Ron Shirey of UCCand Texas Christian University.

During his tenure at Martin HS,Randy’s choirs performed at the TMEAConvention in 1995, and again in 2005.Martin also appeared as honor choir atthe 1997 National Convention of ACDAin San Diego CA, and again at the 2005National ACDA Convention in LosAngeles CA. His Chamber Singers wereone of three US choirs invited to sing atthe International Fringe Festival inEdinburg, Scotland in 1999. Under hisdirection the Arlington Master Chorale

made their first appearance at CarnegieHall in New York in March of 2007, andat Bass Hall that same year with the FortWorth Symphony Orchestra performingBeethoven’s 9th Symphony. Otherperformances include Brahm’s Requiem,Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Orff ’sCarmina Burana.

Mr Jordan earned his BME fromTexas Tech University, his MME fromNorth Texas State University (now TheUniversity of North Texas) in 1981, andhis degree in music supervision from TheUniversity of Texas at Arlington in 1994.He has studied with Gene Kenny, FrankMcKinley, Hal Gibbons, done postgraduate studies with Kenneth Davis, andrecently completed a two-week master

conducting class at the Oregon BachFestival under Helmut Rilling. In 2000Mr Jordan was one of 15 teachers ofextracurricular activities in the State ofTexas to receive the “UIL Sponsor of theYear Award”, and in 2007 Mr Jordan wasselected to conduct the Mississippi All-State Choir. His professional affiliationsinclude TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, andTMAA. He is a member of Phi Mu AlphaSinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, Who’s WhoAmong American Teachers, and HonoraryLifetime Member of the Parent TeachersAssociation. He and his wife, DebraDuncan, have two altos, a tenor, and abaritone as well as seven grandsons,voices yet to be determined. They residein Arlington. √



First Presbyterian Church Choir – Houston

PERFORMING GROUPS

The First Presbyterian Choir ofHouston is directed by Dr John Yarring-ton, accompanied by organist RhondaFurr. The choir has a long tradition ofproviding music for a variety of worshipservices, as well as singing masterworkswith orchestra. A highlight of every yearis the Sing-a-Long-Messiah which drawsover 1,000 singers to the church. Thechoir takes a mission tour every fouryears, most recently singing in Hungaryand Romania. In addition to theconcerts, the choir always providesfunding for churches or areas where theysing, including the purchase of a grandpiano for one such church.

Dr Yarrington is Director of theSchool of Music and Chair of ChoralStudies at Houston Baptist Universityand Director of the Chancel Choir at theFirst Presbyterian Church of Houston.

Former churches include McFarlin UMCNorman OK, FUMC, Dallas, and thePulaski Heights UMC, Little Rock AR.In Arkansas, Dr Yarrington founded theArkansas Symphony Orchestra Choruswhich he directed for five seasons, andwas interim conductor of the ArkansasSymphony Orchestra for one season. Hewas also Artistic Director of the ArkansasChamber Singers.

After graduating from the Universityof Oklahoma with a BME, Yarringtoncompleted the Master of Sacred Musicdegree at the Union TheologicalSeminary in New York City, studyingwith Sergius Kagen, Madeleine Marshall,Abraham Kaplan, and William Gephart.Continuing graduate studies at theUniversity of Oklahoma under Dr B RHenson and Dr Dennis Shrock led tocompletion of a DMA.

An active contributor to professionaljournals, his writings on choral tech-niques, organization, and philosophy ofchurch music are well known. Hispublished choral compositions are withAugsburg-Fortress, Choristers Guild,Abingdon Press, MorningStar, and GIA.Published books include Building theYouth Choir, Somebody’s Got My Robe,Somebody’s Got My Hymnal, and ChoirCrackups.

Yarrington is active in ACDA andserved as Southwest Division President.He has been featured conductor fornumerous honor choruses and all-stateevents. His workshop schedule takeshim throughout the United States andCanada.

Dr Yarrington and his wife, Diane,have six children and four grandchil-dren. √

John Yarrington

ed at Oxford University, England, theRoyal School of Church Music, England,Nazarene Theological Seminary, and theUniversity of Missouri, Kansas CityConservatory of Music. Thomas is alsoan active member in the ACDA, TCDA,AGO, Fellowship of United Methodistsin Music and Worship Arts, Associationof Anglican Musicians, MENC, TMEA,and ASCAP. He has served as a choralmentor for MENC, and is active as achoral judge/clinician. Alliance,Augsburg, Abingdon, Selah, andCanticaNOVA publish his compositionsand arrangements. Dr Vozzella residesin Midland with his wife, Cathy, anddaughter, Ashley.

Assistant Director Beth Garza is in

her third year asthe AssistantChoral Directorat FUMC inMidland whereshe directschildren’s choirsand is theassistantdirector of theyouth and

Chancel Choir. Beth is currently in hereighth year as director at Alamo JH,Midland, and co-director of the LeeFreshman HS Choirs. During hertenure at Alamo, the choir earned itsfirst Sweepstakes award in 30 years, andboth schools have consistently earned

ratings of Excellent and Superior at UILcompetitions, DC Festivals competi-tions, and the Greater Southwest MusicFestival. Beth is a 1997 graduate ofRobert E Lee HS, where she was amember of Chorale and Origin, underthe direction of Paula Edwards. In 2001she graduated summa cum laude fromHardin-Simmons University with herdegree in Music Education. While atHSU she was a member of Sigma AlphaIota, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the HSUConcert Choir under the direction ofDr Loyd Hawthorne. Mrs Garzagraduated magna cum laude from TexasTech University with an MME, studyingwith Dr Janice Killian. She lives inMidland with her husband, Beau. √

Beth Garza



Stephen T Carrell is in his 18th yearas Minister of Music of the 148-year-oldFirst Baptist Church of San Antonio.

His ministerialand musicalpursuits havebeen committedto the teachingand equippingof children,youth, andadults in thechoral and vocalarts and to theunification and

edification of the church through ashared language of multi-generationalworship.

He is a graduate of Baylor Universitywhere he earned his BM and MMdegrees in vocal performance. He hasappeared as tenor soloist with the SanAntonio Symphony in performances ofHandel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem,and Bach’s Cantata No. 172, and withthe Austin Symphony in performancesof Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Stephen hasappeared in “Three Tenors” concertswith Boca Symphonic Pops in Fort

Lauderdale FL. He is also the formerMinister of Music with the Coral RidgePresbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale.His youth and adult choirs haveappeared in multiple conferences andhave been featured with TCDA Churchand Community Division presentationsas well as Baylor University Church

Music Conferences. Stephen was theconductor for the mass choir of the SanAntonio Millennial Service at theMunicipal Auditorium.

Stephen enjoys all sports and isactive in physical fitness. He and hiswife, Jamye, have three lovely daughters,Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel. √

PERFORMING GROUPS

First Baptist Chapel Singers – San Antonio

Stephen T Carrell

Palmer Episcopal Church Treble Choir – HoustonCourtney Daniell-

Knapp and Dr BradyKnapp have beendirectors of music atPalmer MemorialEpiscopal Church since1998. At PalmerChurch, they have builta music program thatincludes adult choirs, aboy choir, girl choir, andprimary and pre-kindergarten choirs.The Palmer Churchchoirs have receivednational recognition fortheir compact discrecordings, and inMarch 2007, they sang for the NationalConvention of the ACDA in Miami FL.Ms Daniell-Knapp has taught all agesfrom early childhood to collegiate

students, but her focus has always beenmiddle and elementary school music.She is fortunate to guest conduct at theUniversity of St Thomas where her

husband is the Directorof Vocal Arts. For thepast three years, MsDaniell-Knapp hasmanaged the RoyalSchool of Church MusicGulf Coast SummerTraining Course for girlsages 10-18 and adults, aweek-long choir campwith guest artists housedat the University of StThomas. She receivedher MM from RiceUniversity, her BA inFrench from VanderbiltUniversity, and studiedconducting with George

Mabry and Hillary Apfelstadt. MsDaniell-Knapp’s proudest title is that ofMom to sons Emerson, 7, andTheodore, 5. √



Trudy Armas Judy Bowers Ann Burbridge Stephen Carrell Kathy Chiles

Thomas Coker Susan Elliott Gwen Farris Ken Fulton James Green

John Hemmenway Connie Horton Jing Ling-Tam Cyndie Lowry Patricia Moreno

Bill Nave Weston Noble John Nix Cynthia Nott Mary Jane Phillips

Sharon Radionoff Lisa Roebuck John Scarcella Heather Sharp Tim Sharp

CLINICIANS

2009 Spring Texas Sings! 09: 2005 Spring Texas Sings! FINAL 4/17/09 3:06 PM Page 16


CLINICIANS

Z Randall Stroope Barry Talley Will Varner Lisa Witwer Rod Zeman

CONDUCTORS

Judy Bowers Dennis Boyter Jennie Crawford Kyle Damron

Michael Dean Pam Elam Brett Farr Allen Hightower

Michael Matlock Terrie Preskitt-Brown Mark Rohwer

Joe Weir Tim Winebrenner

TMEA, TCDA, and ACDA. Sheresides in Houston, enjoys singing inTexas Master Chorale and spendingtime with friends and family.

If elected . . .I would truly enjoy the opportu-

nity to serve TCDA. It would be myhope to continue the strong leader-ship that has become the trademarkof TCDA. My goal for the highschool division would be to provideits members with innovative strate-gies to keep our choral programsvibrant and flourishing as we beginthe implementation of new legisla-tion or educational trends. TCDAhas always been a proactive sourcefor our programs and I would like tofind solutions that will perpetuatethe success of choral music in ourTexas schools.

It will be an exciting challenge tofind music that serves the manyfunctions and performance venuesthat our choral programs provide forour communities, concerts, andcontests. In selecting quality musicfor the reading sessions, I will bemindful of the different levels ofability, and the many cultures thatenrich our great state.

TCDA has always meant friend-ships, networking, and the sharing ofideas. I look forward to hearing ofyour successes, what has worked foryou, and how we can share thoseideas to make our profession thrive.

I would be deeply honored toserve TCDA. If elected, I wouldgladly commit my time and passionto serve you, our Texas choraldirectors. √

Sharon PaulContinued from page 5



Texas Choral Directors Association54th Annual Convention and New Music Reading Clinic

July 29 - August 1, 2009, San Antonio

Tentative Schedule(This schedule is not definite; event times and or places may change before Convention.)

Wednesday, July 2910:30 am Golf Tournament The Quarry

Barry Talley, Organizer12 noon - 10:00 pm Child Care Available 209, 2112:00 - 6:00 pm MS/JH Honor Choir Registration/Rehearsal 2143:00 - 7:00 pm Registration Open Exhibit Hall C3:00 - 6:00 pm Exhibits Open Exhibit Hall C5:00 – 6:00 pm College Student Meeting 207B5:00 – 6:15 pm Directors Chorus Rehearsal Marriott Riverwalk Hotel6:00 - 8:00 pm Soiree Marriott Riverwalk Hotel

Thursday, July 307:00 am - 6:00 pm Registration Open Exhibit Hall C7:00 am - 9:00 pm Child Care Available 209, 2118:00 am MS/JH: Honor Choir Rehearsal 214

MS/JH: Rehearsal Techniques I, Judy Bowers 214Reading Session: Pop/Jazz, Michael Dean BR C

9:15 am HS: Recruitment, Rod Zelman 206EL: But I Play Tuba, Cynthia Nott 207CC: Teaching Your Choir to Watch!, Dr Tim Sharp 208Ch: Handbells I, Bill Nave 217Reading Session: Advanced JH/HS Training, Michael Matlock BR C

10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibits Open Exhibit Hall C11:15 am Reading Session: Unison/SA, Terrie Preskitt-Brown 217

MS/JH/SS: Choir 101, Heather Sharp 21412:30 am – 4:00 pm Honor Choir Rehearsal 21412:30 pm MS/JH: Rehearsal Techniques II, Judy Bowers 214

EL: Music Bits and Bytes, James Green 207MS/JH: Sightreading Games, Mary Jane Phillips 217Reading Session: Advanced HS/College, Dennis Boyter BR C

1:45 pm EL: Tried & Proven Literature, Kathy Chiles 217Reading Session: Holiday/Seasonal, Mark Rohwer BR C

3:00 pm Reading Session: Sacred Unison/2-part, Pam Elam 217All: Weston Noble on Music BR C

4:15 pm Performance: Arlington Master Chorale BR C5:30 – 6:45 pm Directors Chorus Rehearsal BR C7:00 pm Hallelujah, Amen! Service, Multiple Choirs First Baptist Church

Friday, July 317:00 am - 11:00 pm Child Care Available 209, 2117:30 – 5:30 pm Registration Open Exhibit Hall C8:00 – 11:00 am MS/JH Honor Choir Rehearsal 2148:00 am MS/JH/SS: Rehearsal Techniques III, Judy Bowers 214

Ch: Youth Choir I, Stephen Carrell 206EL: Elementary Choir, Trudy Armas, Ann Burbridge, Lisa Witwer 207Reading Session: MS/JH Treble, Jennie Crawford 217Reading Session: TMEA All-State BR C



9:15 am HS: Workshop I, Dr Z Randall Stroope 206EL: Differentiated Instruction, Connie Horton 207Reading Session: CC, Kyle Damron 217Reading Session: MS/JH Boys, Tim Winebrenner BR C

10:00 am - 4:00 pm Exhibits Open (Not open on Saturday) Exhibit Hall C11:00 am TMEA Region Meetings Everywhere!11:45 am EL: Children as Performers/Thinkers, Lisa Roebuck, Patricia Moreno 207

CC: Voice Science, John Nix 208Ch: Youth Choir II, Stephen Carrell 217ReadingSession: HS Treble/Men, Student Conductors BR C

1:00 pm CC: Conducting Masterclass, Dr Ken Fulton 205EL: Breath Beneath Sound, Susan Elliott, Will Varner 207Ch: Handbells II, Bill Nave 217

2:15 pm CC: Conducting Masterclass, Jing Ling-Tam 208MS/JH: Boys Changing Voice, Dr Sharon Radionoff 217HS: Workshop II, Dr Z Randall Stroope BR C

3:00 – 4:00 pm Visit Exhibits (Last Chance; Not open Saturday) Exhibit Hall C4:00 pm TCDA Business Meeting BR C

Performance: MS/JH Honor Choir, Judy Bowers, director2009 Commissioned Work by Earlene Rentz

6:30 pm TCDA’s Got Talent BR AYou’re the Talent; Cash Prizes; Contact Billy Talley to PerformSponsored by Pepper of Dallas/Fort Worth

Saturday, August 17:00 am – 1:00 pm Child Care Open 209, 2118:00 – 9:00 pm Directors Chorus Rehearsal BR C8:00 – 10:00 am Registration Open Exhibit Hall C8:00 am Ch: Tried & True Literature, Thomas Coker, John Hemmenway, John Scarcella 207

MS/JH: Workshop, Judy Bowers 2149:15 am EL: Musical M&Ms, Gwen Farris 205

HS: Audiation, Barry Talley 206Reading Session: Sacred Advanced, Dr Allen Hightower 214Reading Session: High School SATB, Brett Farr BR C

10:30 am Performance: TCDA Directors Chorus, Dr Z Randall Stroope, Conductor BR CPremiere 2009 Commissioned Work by Rene Clausen

ACCOMPANISTS

Karla Cruz Patti Freeman Peggy Graff Patricia Neighbors Janet Pummill Daryl Robinson

Janet Scarcella Laura Taylor Will Varner Jennifer Zaccagni



Officer Comments

Twenty years ago, I walked into theWatauga MS choir room – ironical-ly, where I am currently working

part-time is where I began my career. Ifollowed a tremendously popular andfabulous teacher, Stuart Younse, andknew I had to make quite an impressionwith the students, faculty, and adminis-tration. The month before schoolbegan, I attended TCDA for the firsttime. I remember feeling excited aboutmy future and eager to connect withpeople who could help me survive the

trials and tribulations of a first year.During the Convention, I rememberfeeling somewhat clueless. I didn’t havecolorful stories of sight reading roommishaps to share, nor could I recom-mend my favorite TB piece to anyonebecause, well, I did not have one yet. Idid have grueling tales of the TCDATennis Tournament, which at that time,was held at outdoor courts in the 100-degree heat; but alas, no one reallywanted to talk about heat stroke at theSoiree.

More than surviving the tennistournament, I will never forget my firstTCDA because of a workshop I attendedfor first year teachers. Mike Mitchellhad just completed his first year ofteaching at Judson HS and talked aboutwhat he did that was successful.Specifically, Mike talked about what todo the first day of school, a huge blackhole with a looming neon questionmark in my mind. Mike told us whathe did the first day of school, and I

absorbed (and stole) every word. So,on the first day of my career, a la MikeMitchell, my students heard a profes-sionally produced recording of AlsoSprach Zarathustra with a professionalannouncer saying “You have entered anew dimension . . . WELCOME TOTHE WATAUGA WARRIOR CHOIR.”It was a huge hit, the students wereaccepting of their new teacher, and theyear was off to a great start. Unlike a lotof teachers, I had a great first year, and Iknow it was due in part to what Ilearned at TCDA that summer. I hadmusic to start the year from the readingsessions, ideas from workshops like theone Mike lead, and a brand new familyof mentors. To this day, I keep in touchwith Mike and thank him annually forhelping me past the first day of school20 years ago. And to this day, I leave theTCDA Convention with new ideas,music, and inspiration.

This summer’s Convention hasmuch to offer everyone from the collegestudent through the seasoned veteran. Ilook at TCDA through older eyes (withtri-focals) now, and it’s my personalmission while on the Board to makesure TCDA Conventions include themega-names in our industry each andevery summer. Our own membership isstocked with amazing choral directors,and we need to hear from the mostinfluential and highly regarded leadersin our profession. I am proud that thissummer’s Convention will include aDirectors’ Chorus and two workshopslead by Dr Z Randall Stroope.

Dr Stroope is certainly no strangerto Texas. I have watched with greatappreciation as our one and only “three-peat” Texas All-State Choir conductormolded our All-State Treble, Mixed, andMen’s Choirs. Of his many gifts,perhaps his ability to communicate witheach of the choirs is what I admire most.Dr Stroope’s creative programming andability to elicit incredible sounds fromthe choirs culminated in unforgettableperformances for the students and forus in the audience. A master of pro-gramming, Dr Stroope promises tochallenge this year’s Directors’ Choruswhile providing an inspirational andeducational experience. In addition toselections that will include a new workof his own, the women of the Directors’Chorus will premiere a commissioned

PresidentElect

Amy Allibon

SMC 1/3 PAGE AD



Past, Present and Future:Parting Reflections

That’s right. Time’s up. Got to go.Time to move on. No way around it.The ride has been incredibly fun. I

find it hard to believe this is my lastarticle for the TCDA magazine, especial-ly since I found it hard to fathom theposition I’ve been in was a five commit-ment. What an honor it has been toserve this organization these years! Idon’t think I have said it since I waselected, but thank you for allowing meto have this opportunity.

The PastI find myself reflecting a great deal

on these past five years and all of theawesome experiences and opportunitiesI have had the pleasure of being a partof. I think about the commissionedworks that have been premiered and thefact that we have doubled our effortswith the creation of two pieces each yearfor the past several years. I think aboutthe outstanding honor choirs that haveperformed under the direction ofSandra Snow, Ruth Dwyer, JanealKrehbiel, and Ann Tomlinson. I thinkabout the rich wealth of church andcommunity choruses we are blest to havein Texas with performances by ScholaCantorum of Fort Worth, the AustinVocal Arts Ensemble, South MainBaptist Church of Houston, HoustonChamber Choir, Marvin United Metho-dist Church Choir, and the Texas BaptistAll-State Master’s Singers. And who canforget being inspired by our dear late

Glenda Casey in the 50th AnniversaryDirectors Chorus? Or Anton Arm-strong’s tremendous impact on all of uswho sang in his Directors Chorus orheard him speak?

I love the awards and increasednumber of recognitions we haveprovided as an organization. Since 2005,TCDA has instigated two new awards.Twelve outstanding members havereceived the Texas Choral ExcellenceAward and five teachers early in theircareers have received the Young Directorof Distinction Award. We have alsoadded three legendary names to ourTexas Choirmaster Award ranks with JimMoore, Ken Fulton, and Donald Bailey.

When it comes to workshops, Ireflect on our expansion of the elemen-tary division’s offerings and the subse-quent membership growth in thatdivision. With the restructuring of thedivisions to create a church-onlydivision, I have to smile at the welcomedexpansion and emphasis on offerings forthat division. The addition of conduct-ing clinics led by our talented Texascollege professors has been enthusiasti-cally received. What a pleasure it hasbeen to have experts like Jonathan Reedand Bob Chilcott take time to come andteach us. We’ve also had some prettygood times eating barbecue and listeningto Vince Vance and the Valiants, TimHawkins, the Acoustix, and the hilariousTaylor Mason and his puppets.

I am so proud of the work that thedivisional officers you elected have doneon behalf of TCDA. It has been apersonal and professional treat for meto have known and worked with suchwonderful people. I think the thing thathas impressed me the most about theBoard members I have served with is thefact that they are all BIG DREAMERS.These people want the greatest clini-cians, the best possible new music toread, and the most satisfying Conven-tion experience for you they canpossibly get (and afford!). I applaudthem and their heartfelt efforts to make

TCDA outstanding.

The PresentDespite the current state of the

economy, membership in TCDA andattendance at the summer Conventionremains high and steady. Your contin-ued support by doing business with ourvendors encourages them to continue topurchase booth space and enjoy face-to-face sales time with you.

Your current divisional vice presi-dents have once again done a terrific jobof bringing together exciting cliniciansand experiences to make this year’sConvention something you will notwant to miss. I look forward to theprivilege of giving out scholarships todeserving college students and profes-sionals pursuing advancement in music.

The FutureI’m not sure I would want a crystal

ball to foresee the future. Yet, if I couldpredict what’s in store for TCDA, I see avery bright tomorrow! Our membersare committed, dedicated, determined,hungry for knowledge, and enthusiasticabout their professions. We constantlyhave members who are willing to stepforward and serve as officers andvolunteers to make each and everyConvention a meaningful experiencewith tremendous value both profession-ally and economically. If you haven’tdone so, I hope you give careful consid-eration to offering your service to TCDAas an officer or volunteer. Our organiza-tion and Convention will continue toserve not only our state but surroundingstates and beyond. I am completelyconfident that each new Board willcontinue to “raise the bar” of excellencefor all that TCDA has to offer itsmembership.

The past has been fun to reflect on.The present feels strong and vibrant.And the future is bright! I can’t wait tosee what TCDA looks like in the next 10years, but for now I’ll be satisfied withseeing you July 29-August 1 in SanAntonio! √

Officer Comments

PastPresident

Danny Detrick

treble work by Rene Clausen. Pleasecheck the TCDA website(http://www.TexasSings.org) regardingopen positions that could still beavailable in the Directors Chorus, andhow to sign up. If perhaps the choir is

full by the time you read this, I hope youwill stop by the rehearsals to watch DrStroope work his magic with theDirectors Chorus.

Whether this is your first year toteach or the last year before you retire,

there is something for everyone atTCDA’s summer Convention, no matterthe age of your choristers or yourself.Don’t miss out on the music, theinspiration, and the family atmospherewe share here in Texas. √



Officer Comments

College/Community DivisionConvention Highlights

Weston Noble

We are very fortunate to have as ourheadliner clinician the legendaryconductor of the Luther College

Nordic Choir, Weston Noble. He is oneof this country’s choral pioneers with sixdecades of experience at Luther Collegeand more than 900 all-state choirs, bands,orchestras, and festivals. At one TMEAclinic session, he told my choir “all musicmust dance”. I’ve never forgotten thatprofound statement. We will have theopportunity to watch Weston work withRandy Jordan’s Arlington Master Choralein a workshop setting. That will befollowed by a free-style interview ofWeston by Sally Schott on a variety ofchoral issues. What an opportunity forall of us to learn from a master.

Arlington Master ChoraleRandy Jordan will lead his Arlington

Master Chorale in a featured concertpresentation on Thursday afternoon, July30. The Chorale’s 2007 season included aperformance of Beethoven’s 9th Sympho-ny with the Fort Worth SymphonyOrchestra and a Carnegie Hall debut. InApril 2009, the group sang Orff ’s CaminaBurana and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalmsin Meyerson Symphony Hall, Dallas. TheChorale’s TCDA program will feature agreat variety of historical and contempo-rary works ranging from Palestrina,through Bruckner, to Daniel Gawthropand Z Randall Stroope.

Ken Fulton, Jing Ling-TamPresenting conducting workshops

will be Ken Fulton from Louisiana StateUniversity, Baton Rouge LA, and JingLing-Tam, The University of Texas atArlington. Fulton has been on the facultyat the LSU School of Music since 1986.He chairs the graduate choral studiesprogram there and conducts the LSU A

Cappella Choir. He is also Chorusmasterand Assistant Conductor for the BatonRouge Symphony and Symphony Chorusand serves as artistic director for the LinzSummer Choral Music Institute in Linz,Austria.

Ling-Tam is the Artistic Director/Conductor of the American ChamberChoir, and she has served as AssociateConductor/Chorus Master/PrincipalCoach Pianist with the Fort Worth OperaAssociation for 16 seasons. Otherconducting appointments include theAmerican Institute of Musical Studies inGraz, Austria, and the Arlington ChoralSociety. Ken and Jing will also serve ascoaches for the 18 college studentconductors who have been chosen to leadthe High School Treble/Men ReadingSession.

John NixJohn Nix is associate professor of

voice and vocal pedagogy, and director ofthe Voice Research Laboratory at TheUniversity of Texas at San Antonio.Previously he was director of educationand special projects and coordinator ofthe Summer Vocology Institute for theNational Center for Voice and Speech inDenver CO. There he worked withinternationally known voice scientist andeducator Ingo Titze. Nix will present asession on the use of cutting-edgetechnology in the choral rehearsal. Hehas authored a study on the use of VoceVista software in the rehearsal setting. Byuse of this software, a women’s choir wasable to view on a screen a representationof their sound, vowel uniformity, vibratoeffect, onset, releases, and other technicalfactors in real time as they sang. VoceVista is most often used in the voicestudio, so this is one of the first studies toapply the technology to the choralsetting. Nix will share the results of thisexperiment and the effect of this real-time feedback on the choir’s perfor-mance.

Tim SharpThe new Executive Director of ACDA,

Tim Sharp, will present a session titled“Teaching Your Choir to Watch.” In thisclinic, Sharp suggests that much of ourgestural work as conductors conditionsour choral singers to not watch theconductor. Without ignoring the tempo-meter function of gestural conducting,this clinic focuses on the start/entrance-

stop/cutoff function as well as theinterpretive function of gestural languageas a means to teach the choir to watch theconductor, all the time, in attempting toachieve nuanced performances. AsExecutive Director of ACDA, Tim isparticularly interested in cultivatingstudent involvement in ACDA. Toacquaint college students with the nationalorganization, ACDA will host a studentmeeting/reception on Wednesday, July 29.

College StudentsEighteen college-student members

will conduct the High School Treble/MenReading Session. They represent the beststudent conductors in collegiate pro-grams from throughout the state. Thisreading session provides them with awonderful professional opportunity anda positive introduction to TCDA. Theywill receive coaching from Ken Fultonand Jing Ling-Tam. All registered collegestudents will be invited to meet membersof the TCDA Board and Tim Sharp,Executive Director of ACDA, at thecollege student meeting/reception, 5–6pm, July 29.

Weston’s “Special World”Some of Weston Noble’s teachings

have been collected in a volume titledCreating the Special World (ed. StevenDemorest, GIA Publications, 2005). Inthat book, Weston tells of a specialmoment he experienced as a high schooljunior. Playing clarinet in the band, heheard the cornets enter with a fanfare-liketheme from behind him. “What hit me?My backbone rippled with excitement; Ifelt totally alive for a brief moment.” Thisspecial moment most musicians haveexperienced and probably can rememberit vividly. It’s what we try to relive andrediscover in every rehearsal and concert.It doesn’t always occur. But it’s ever thegoal, and it’s the search that keepsconductors and singers going. Westontells of a Messiah performance at LutherCollege, in which the chorus numberedbetween 800-900 singers. He recalls,“One year, the captain of the footballteam grabbed me after the performanceand exclaimed, ‘What happened to meduring the Amen chorus? Never have Ifelt this way in my life, not even whenmaking a touchdown!’ His life waschanged.” Weston defines that specialmoment as achieving a wholeness, whenbody, spirit, and soul come together.

College/CommunityJohn Silantien



Officer Comments

My term as MS/JH Vice President isquickly coming to an end. Myexperience as a TCDA Board

member has provided me the opportuni-ty to meet hundreds of colleagues fromacross the state. I firmly believe thatTexas music teachers are among the mostdedicated and effective members of theeducation profession. We are passionateabout music and we truly care about theyoung musicians entrusted to us for atime. The nature of music itself createsteachable moments which musiceducators can use to contribute to thewhole education of our students.

In my last article for Texas Sings!, Iwould like to feature a meaningful work

penned by an Odessa teacher. Long-time elementary music specialist,Loretta Walker, has granted permissionfor me to share this piece with you. Ihope that Loretta’s words help you tovisualize the contribution that musicteachers make to education. Neverforget the difference that you make inthe lives of your students.

I TeachMusic is math and science you can hear;a language which requires the soul as itsinterpreter. — Loretta Diane Walker

MiddleSchool/Junior HighKathy Lollar

“Everything is in line – we are momen-tarily whole – it is an unforgettable

moment.” And it’s better than scoring atouchdown. Don’t miss the opportunity

this summer to hear about this specialworld from a very special man. √

What a spring! I had the honor ofconducting a group of 54precious young ladies in the

Civic Center Music Hall in OklahomaCity for the ACDA National Conventionin early March. Exactly one week later, Iwas conducting 450 fifth graders andsixth graders in a gymnasium for ourannual Cluster Concert. God certainlyhas a way of keeping me humble.

One of the things I love about beinga choir director – there’s always a “next”concert. As soon as we finish oneconcert, we are quickly moving on to thenext one. And the types of music weperform are certainly varied. As youfinish up the 2008-09 school year, Iknow that you are looking ahead to thecoming 2009-10 school year. What betterway to recharge your creative batteriesthan by attending the 2009 TCDAConvention on July 29-August 1! Thissummer’s convention is full of excitingand helpful workshops, great perfor-mances, and reading sessions featuringbrand new music from publishers acrossthe nation and beyond!

We have four workshops planned forthe high school division. I know you will

benefit greatly from each of theseworkshops.

Music and the Mind: TeachingStyle through Imagery

This is the first of two sessions by ZRandall Stroope. This session will seekto enhance your score preparation anddelivery to students in an interestingand imaginative manner, engaging thesingers’ minds and opening their doorof creativity.

Music and the Mind: Teaching Musicality

Z Randall Stroope’s second work-shop will provide ideas in codifying stepstoward a more musical and expressivechoral performance. Choirs are oftenchallenged in bridging the chasmbetween learning the notes and commu-nicating the music.

Recruiting: How to Find the Singers in Your School

Rod Zeman has taught at the middleschool and high school levels, and iscurrently choir director at CrockettMiddle School in Amarillo. In less thantwo years, his enrollment jumped fromaround 100 students in choir to acurrent enrollment of 400 plus. Rod willshare what he does to locate prospectivesingers and how to incorporate theminto your choral program.

Audiation: Silent Singing in Your Daily Rehearsal and at UIL

This relatively new concept hasproven to be a successful tool in teachingsingers to hear the music in their heads.

Barry Talley will explain how he usesaudiation to develop better sight singingskills in his students. I know he’s mybrother, but he knows his stuff!

Our high school reading sessionconductors for this summer will beMark Rohwer, Flower Mound HS; BrettFarr, Coronado HS; Michael Dean,Trinity HS; and Joe Weir, Atascocita HS.Our accompanists will be Patti Freeman,Strickland MS; Peggy Graff, BirdvilleHS; Jennifer Zaccagni, San Antonio; andJanet Pummill, TCU. Thanks in advanceto these talented musicians for theirservice to TCDA.

You will want to participate in theDirectors Chorus, under the directionof Z Randall Stroope. The women ofthe Directors Chorus will be preparingand presenting our High SchoolDivision Commissioned Work by ReneClausen, written with high schooltreble choirs in mind.

And if that’s not enough, we will beholding our first ever TCDA’s GotTalent! You won’t want to miss perfor-mances by our very own TCDA mem-bers, competing for outstanding cashprizes provided by our friends at Pepperof Dallas/Fort Worth. The format andlocation will be a little different this yearthan in the past. TCDA’s Got Talent! willbe held in the Convention Center. Wewill not be serving barbeque, so eatbefore or after you attend. Light snackswill be provided. There will be a cashbar. Admission is free!

Make plans to be in San Antonioon July 29-August 1. You’ll be glad youdid! √

HighSchoolBilley Talley



Officer CommentsI teach math using meter and rhythm.Measure by measure, I divide, add,subtract at the same time, in the samespace, produce an equation ofharmonious sounds.

I teach poetry when I extract lyricsfrom melodies, let them speak alone.

I teach language arts.The symbols I teach are simple anduniversal. Yet, they are foreignto those who choose not to understand or explore their uniqueness. Others,like myself, opened the mind – sought to know.

I teach art and science. However, whatI teach is a mystery no scientist cansolve but an artist can embrace.The mystery is this: It has no color,nonetheless, the sound of it can createa spectrum of colors or cause darknessto veil the mind.it can paint the universe without usingan artist tools.

I teach social studies and health usingan entity found in most cultures richwith history.I use the soul as an interpreter.Although it is healthyfor the mind, body and soul, the bodycannot touch it.

However, the heart can feel it, themind can learn to enjoy,appreciate and love it. I teach thewhole being of a child.I teach music.

The MS/JH Honor Choir under thedirection of Judy Bowers will be ahighlight of this summer’s TCDAConvention. At the time of this writingover 900 audition recordings havearrived at my home. It is truly exciting toread the return address on each package.How awesome to realize that middle-schoolers from all corners of our statewill come together to work with FloridaState University’s Judy Bowers. A grandexperience is in store for each member ofthe 200-voice choir. I extend mysincerest thanks to Honor Choir Assis-tant, Connie Viverette, and to HonorChoir Section Leaders, Brent McCartney,Candy McComb, Joel Price, and AngelaWilliamson. These volunteers willdevote many hours as well as theirConvention time to the success of thechoir. I look forward to being anobserver of the musical magic that is sureto happen in San Antonio this summer.

Every choral director should findsomething of interest at this summer’sevent. Mary Jane Phillips will share herbag of teaching tricks in her sessionentitled, “Sightreading Games”. Well

known vocal specialist, Dr SharonRadionoff will share her extensiveresearch in dealing with the adolescentmale voice. Last year’s TCDA YoungDirector of Distinction award winnerHeather Sharp will present “Choir 101”.In this session, she will share the secretsthat have led to her success in theclassroom. The concluding session forthe MS/JH division will feature HonorChoir conductor Judy Bowers. You willnot want to miss her session entitled,“Choral Pedagogy: Utilizing Contempo-rary Methods”.

Your Board members are reviewingnew choral publications on a daily basis.We are hard at work in the selectionprocess of the newly composed repertoirethat will be presented this summer. TheMS/JH Treble Reading Session will be ledby Jennie Crawford. Tim Winebrennerwill conduct the MS/JH Tenor-BassReading Session. The Advanced JH/HSTraining Choir Reading Session will bedirected by Michael Matlock. All of theseconductors will be supported by accom-panists Laura Taylor and Peggy Graff.The MS/JH Honor Choir will be accom-panied by Karla Cruz.

Join us in San Antonio this July toenjoy a time of relaxation with colleaguesand a chance to rev up your teachingengine for another year of music-making. √

Where in the world has this schoolyear gone? It seems that only afew weeks ago the students were

“bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” inanticipation of a new school year! I knoweveryone is in the final preparation stagesfor end-of-year programs and concerts.With all of the hustle and bustle, taketime to tell your students how much youhave enjoyed having them in class andthat they are important to you – you may

be the only person they hear that from!I am very excited about this summer

– rest, relaxation and travel are all part ofwhat makes the summer so anticipated. Iam also so excited about the TCDAConvention and am in the position ofcarrying on a wonderful change for theElementary Division that has beenhappening for the past couple of years. Iwould encourage you to include theTCDA Convention as part of yoursummer plans – what fun we will all have!

Terrie Preskitt-Brown, Coordinatorof Children’s Music at Highland ParkUMC and Assistant Conductor of theChildren’s Chorus of Greater Dallas willlead our Unison/SA new music readingsession, with Will Varner serving as heraccompanist. Be guaranteed that you willfind at least one new piece for your schoolyear from this packet of newly publishedpieces!

I am happy to announce a preview of

what will be offered for the ElementaryDivision membership. So many of youwho are elementary music teachers havenot considered yourself to be choraldirectors, but in reality, if you sing withyour children, you are a choral director!

Cynthia Nott, artistic director of theChildren’s Chorus of Greater Dallas willpresent “I Have an Elementary Choir?But I Play the Tuba! – Singing 101 for the*Non-singing* Elementary MusicTeacher”. This workshop is for anyonewho wants to gain confidence in theirown singing ability in order to help theirstudents sing more beautifully. Ways toencourage beautiful singing in theclassroom and the choral rehearsal will beexplored.

Connie Horton and Cyndie Lowry ofConroe ISD will present “DifferentiatedInstruction: Sing, Move, Dance and PlayYour Way to Music Literacy”. They willpresent various activities that address the

Elementary

Karen Gonzalez



Calling All Church Musicians!

Planning for the fabulous 54th TCDAConvention is well under way! Thiswill be the third year of TCDA’s

Church Division standing on its ownsince the community choirs have beengrouped with the College Division.Some of America’s finest talents inchoral music and church music will be apart. Texas has plenty of wonderfulchurch musicians of her own, but we’renot exclusive to Texas. The mix ofchurch musicians with school musiciansand college choral musicians encouragesfellowship and learning opportunities

that I have found to be very healthy andvery helpful in my ministry. We will rubshoulders with people whose great gift is“ministry”, and we will also rub shoul-ders with folks whose great gift is“music”. My hope is that through thisconference both parts (that dwell in usall) will have an opportunity to bestrengthened.

At TCDA one can choose fromamong workshops or music readingsessions in any area. That is one of thestrengths of this organization. Else-where in this magazine please readabout the opportunities available inTCDA at large. Below you will get aglimpse of the church music divisionofferings. I firmly believe that TCDAplays an important role in helping ussharpen our skills, receive inspirationand energy, and receive new “tools” inthe form of literature for our work andministry.

Hallelujah! Amen! Service Thursday evening

I hope everyone will plan to be apart of this service to be held in the

beautiful worship space at First BaptistChurch of San Antonio. Inspired by aservice originally planned and executedfor the 1989 ACDA Convention inLouisville KY, this service will reprisethe powerful processional written byDavid Danner especially for the “Hal-lelujah! Amen!” service in Louisvilleexactly 20 years ago. I am delighted thatwe will have marvelous church choirsparticipating. We will be led by, andreceive inspiration from four choirs; atreble choir, a youth choir, and twoadult choirs.

Participating choirs are: TheChancel Choir of First Presbyterian,Houston, under the direction of DrJohn Yarrington; The Chancel Choir ofFirst United Methodist Church inMidland, conducted by Dr Thomas RVozzella; the Chapel Singers of FirstBaptist Church, San Antonio, conductedby Stephen T Carrell; and the TrebleChoir of Palmer Episcopal in Houstonled by Courtney Knapp. We will hearthe brilliance of brass, organ, andhandbells as the choirs and instrumentslead us in dynamic singing. Whatever

Church

Thomas Coker

different learning styles of your students.They will share anchor activities, tieredassignments, and clever assessments thathelp guide your students to a solidfoundation in music literacy.

Gwen Farris of Dallas ISD willpresent “Musical Menus – or the M & M’sFor Short” Gwen will present menus offun ways to teach musical concepts andinclude the following:

• Menus for rhythmic spices

• Menus for intervals with a dashof “soul”

• Menus for fun games – plenty ofsalt and pepper

• Menus for puppetry fun (sugar-free)

• Menus for rondos – add a splashof “Classic coke”

• Menus a la carteJames Green of Garland ISD will

cover how technology can make planningand teaching easier with just a littlecreativity. “Music Bits and Bytes:Incorporating Technology in the MusicClassroom” will have ideas on making amusic icon library, basic song presenta-tions, presenting new material, studyunits, lesson planning, seating charts, and

other topics.Patricia Moreno, instructional

coordinator for elementary and choralmusic, Austin ISD, and Lisa Roebuck,curriculum specialist for fine arts, RoundRock ISD, will present “Children asPerformers and Critical Thinkers”. Comeand learn techniques for developingchildren’s singing voices and ears in thegeneral music classroom. How cancritical thinking be part of teaching asong by rote? Music teachers who havelimited instructional time with theirstudents will benefit from these timesaving ideas. Ideas for sequencing, musicliteracy, movement, singing, and playinginstruments will be presented.

Ann Burbridge, Trudy Armas andLisa Witwer will share some tried andtrue classroom management strategiesfrom veteran teachers. Come prepared totake home some wonderful ideas that willmake your teaching easier and moreenjoyable from “Elementary Music/Choir– Where Do I Start?”

Susan Elliott and Will Varner willpresent “Beat Beneath the Sound”. Thisworkshop will use folk dance to instillunderstanding and performance of the

beat as a foundation for posture, steadybeat movement and phrasing.

Last, but certainly not least, I am sovery pleased to announce that there willbe a “Tried and Proven Songs for Elemen-tary Choirs” session presented by KathyChiles. This hands-on practical readingsession and workshop will include songsthat are appropriate for general use aswell as theme-based programs includingfall, winter, and patriotic holidays. Thistype of session will become a part of theElementary Division on a rotating basis!

Please encourage fellow colleagues –veteran and new teachers alike – to joinTCDA and to make the TCDA Conven-tion part of their relaxation and rejuvena-tion time this summer! They can joinTCDA online and everyone is encouragedto pre-register for the Convention by July1st to save $20!

The TCDA Convention will beginWednesday, July 29 at 3:00 p.m. and runthrough Saturday, August 1 at 12:00 p.m.in San Antonio.

The workshops that will be presentedwill be fun and beneficial and I amlooking forward to a wonderful time witheveryone! √

Officer Comments



Officer Commentselse you are doing, I hope you will planto be at First Baptist San Antonio onThursday evening at 7:00 pm.

Sessions for Church Music Leaders and Others

Youth The growth and development of

youth choirs in church is both one ofthe most rewarding and, at the sametime, the most challenging of ourministries. For this reason we haveasked Stephen Carrell, who has a longand dynamic track record of usingchoral music to develop the body, mind,and spirit of youth, to lead two sessionsfor TCDA. Don’t miss these sessions ifyou work with a youth choir. If youhave someone else who works withyouth choirs, get them to TCDA forthese sessions. Entitled, Thriving YouthChoirs: Cultivating Unswerving StudentOwnership, the sessions are:

Session I – The Rehearsal: Logis-tics, Techniques, Spiritual Formation,

and Accessible RepertoireThis session will feature practical

and immediately applicable elements tosupport and perpetuate a successfulyouth choir rehearsal format andstrategy. This discussion of founda-tional components will encompass anexhaustive list of processes, procedures,vocal techniques, student leadershipideas, and accessible repertoire. Uponapplication, the result will be a freshapproach to assist young singers inrecognizing and developing communitythat will assist in eliminating their self-conscious inhibitions that limits the“full chorus” sound.

Session II – The Program: From“Rush” to “Home Concert”

This presentation will provide adetailed glimpse into a contagious youthchoir calendar that builds anticipationand valuable continuity. Events forrecruiting, fellowship, creative concertsand combined efforts with other choirs,ministry and missions, creativerehearsals, seasonal ideas, and the“crown-jewel”, the choir tour will beexamined and developed. This sessionwill conclude with a brief season ofsharing your personal victories andchallenges as a youth choir director.

HandbellsAnother valuable tool for teaching

and for ministry in our churches ishandbells. Bill Nave of Houston is amaster teacher who has a passion forhandbells and has the ability to workwith experts or beginners equally. Billwill lead two sessions. The first, “What INever Knew about Handbells” will takeyou through the process of gettingstarted with handbells. The secondsession entitled Bronze will explore ideasand techniques for advanced bells.

Four Fabulous Church MusicReading Sessions

Sacred Advanced (previously MixedLarge Choir) – Dr Allen Hightower,Minister of Music and Worship atTallowood Baptist Church in Houstonand Director of Choral Studies at SamHouston State University in Huntsvillewill lead this session. Music for thisreading session will be aimed at thosechurch directors who are looking for

quality literature that might be morechallenging, and will ask a little more ofour singers than normal.

Sacred General (previously MixedSmall Choir) – Kyle Damron, Ministerof Music at Westbury Baptist Church inHouston, will lead this session ofteachable, readable, accessible literaturethat will be useful in both large andsmall churches. Kyle’s personal musicministry uses a wide range of literature,making him well qualified to lead thissession.

Sacred Unison and Two-part —Pam Elam of Cleburne will lead thissession of music suitable for children’schoirs and men’s or women’s ensemblesin unison or two parts. Again, selec-tions will be suitable for a wide varietyof tastes.

Tried and True – When we foundout we had the opportunity to providethis reading session, we almost immedi-ately thought of past president andactive church musician, John Hemmen-way, to lead it. John’s idea was to askthree church musicians from diversechurch music experiences to share inpresenting some for their most enjoy-able, but perhaps underused, anthems.As a result, John Scarcella and I will joinJohn Hemmenway in leading thisexciting session.

Accompanying all church musicdivision reading sessions will be DarylRobinson, organist extraordinaire atSouth Main Baptist in Houston and anundergraduate student at the Universityof Houston, and Janet Scarcella, whoseservice to TCDA and music in Texas islegendary. We are very grateful to bothfor their service.

So help us pass the word thatexciting things are planned for churchmusicians at the TCDA Convention thissummer. And remember that we maybe the church musicians of the presenttime, but we follow directly in the stepsof of Jubal, Miriam, David, the disciples,Gregory, Palestrina, JS Bach, Isaac Watts,Charles Wesley, Don Hustad, William JReynolds, and countless others. We arebut the present incarnation of anancient line of musicians who havechosen to “make His praise to beexceeding glorious.” Let’s make itcount. √



Officer Comments

Instrumental ensembles spend timebefore every performance tuning as agroup and individually so that they

can play in tune and blend as anensemble. Choral ensembles do nothave that same capability; tuning forchoirs is an involved process that mustrecognize the unique quality of eachindividual voice and also requiresattention to consistent vowel produc-tion.

As directors we often ask our choirmembers to “blend with your neighbor”.The easier way to approach choral blendis to “voice” the choir, so that the vocaltone qualities of your singers arematched to one another. This methodworks within sections as well as betweensections.

Choir members should be activelyinvolved in the process of voicing; usetheir ears as well as your own todetermine the best vocal match. Startwith three to four singers (yourstrongest voices); move them around asnecessary until you find your preferredsound. Add more singers (next to, or infront of) the first group. You may findthat you need to switch singers around;it is amazing to hear how reversing theorder of a row, or moving one or twopeople to a different spot, can changethe sound of the ensemble.

Another way to voice your choir isto place a section or group of singers ina circle around you. You can quicklyshift positions of singers within thecircle to create the optimal sound.When placing singers on the risers, youcan blend side-to-side, top to bottom, orsome combination of the two.

If you prefer a mixed arrangement,then you have to blend soprano withalto, alto with bass, tenor with sopranoetc, to create your preferred arrange-ment. Blending between sectionscreates its own unique set of concerns,but can result in a truly outstanding

choral ensemble. And, as you gothrough the rehearsal season, you mayfind that you need to re-voice certainsections, or even the entire choir asvoices develop and mature. Ultimately,the choir becomes a single instrument,rather than a collection of voices thathave to learn how to work together.

When you can effectively put theindividual voices (components) of yourchoir together, you end up with astronger final product. Attending theTCDA Convention can help you findthe components you need to have asuccessful 2009-10 school/church yearthrough our reading clinics, workshops,and performance opportunities.

Consider pre-registering for thisyear’s Convention. Even when pre-registration lines are long, you can getthrough them more quickly thanthrough the on-site registration; you canquickly be on your way to the exhibits.Be sure to fill out the form completely,with the correct information. Thefollowing Membership Guidelines areprovided to help you with the process:

Active – Teacher, director (church,community, or school choir), consul-tant, or supervisor (full or part-time).

Student – Full-time studentsregistered for classes at a Junior College,College, or University. Part-timestudents who direct or accompany achurch choir should register as Activemembers. (Please note: full-timestudent membership includes Conven-tion registration.)

Associate – Interested in TCDAobjectives, but does not meet the Activerequirements.

Retired – No longer in the profes-sion in any capacity. If you hold achurch job, paid or volunteer, or teachprivate voice or piano, you must registerin the Active category.

Guest – Spouse, Child, FamilyThese are non-member categories.Convention registration is available for$5. Any spouse or family member whointends to visit the sessions or exhibitsmust purchase a Guest badge.

Spouse is the person you aremarried to who does not work in thechoral profession. He/She is not anaccompanist, private lesson teacher, andnot employed in the music profession inany capacity. If your spouse is employedin the music profession, he/she must

register as an Active member.Please indicate guest names on the

registration form so a badge will beready at registration. The $5 per childfee will also enable you to take advan-tage of professional childcare servicesduring convention hours at no addi-tional charge.

The TCDA Store will once again bein the Registration area; there, you canpurchase vouchers for:

T-shirtsPolo shirtsMugsGuest and family badges

You can also make scholarshipdonations at the TCDA Store if you didnot do so when you pre-registered.

The Solutions booth is the place togo when you have questions that can’tbe answered anywhere else. TCDAExecutive Assistant Jeanne Kuhn will beavailable to assist you. If someone is notthere immediately, please be patient; weare probably solving another problem.

Jed Ragsdale, Heather Orr, and theircommittee will be in charge of theHospitality Booth this year, where onceagain you can:

Redeem your vouchers for yourTCDA purchases;

Get a TCDA luggage tag (free witha scholarship donation,) and

Drop off those heavy shoppingbags from the Exhibit Hall until the endof the day (for only $1 a bag.)

The Hospitality Committee is alsoworking to ensure that Wednesday’sSoiree and Friday evening’s “TCDA’s GotTalent” are enjoyable experiences foreveryone.

If you are interested in donatingyour time to TCDA, consider volunteer-ing to work either Registration orHospitality during the Convention. Ifyou can give us an hour of your time,you will be making a significantcontribution to TCDA, and you willhave the opportunity to meet some ofthe wonderful people who make upour organization. Please contact meat [email protected],[email protected], [email protected] if you can help. √

Secretary/Treasurer

JanwinOverstreet-Goode




54th Annual ConventionSan Antonio

July 29 – August 1, 2009

TEXAS CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

54

PULL-OUT SECTIONHotel and Convention Registration Materials


Active $ 30.00 $85.00 Teacher, director, consultant, supervisorAssociate $ 30.00 $85.00 Interested in TCDA objectives: do not meet Active requirementsStudent† $ 10.00 $35.00 Currently full-time student at Jr College, College, or UniversityRetired $ 7.50 $45.00 Retired and interested in TCDA objectives

Membership Category / Convention Registration

Membership dues paid to TCDA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes; however, dues payments may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expense.Monetary gifts to TCDA and to the TCDA Scholarship Fund are tax-deductible.

TOTAL $

Special Notes: Use this space and back of page for additional information, and add the name and address of a colleague not currently in TCDA!

Mail

SSN (last four digits): ________________

Preferred Mailing? ____Home ____WorkDate ___________________

Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Nickname (for badge) _____________________________

Home Address _______________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________________________ State ______ Zip ___________

Place of Employment __________________________________________________________________________

Work Address ________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________________________ State ______ Zip ___________

Area(s) of Employment: Student ___ Church/Syn ____ Elem ____ JH/MS ____ HS ____ College ____ Admin ____ Comm ____ Private ____

q Do not publish my member information in the online database q Do not send TCDA promotional information via email (TCDA's primary member contact vehicle)

Home Ph ___________________________

Work Ph ___________________________

FAX ______________________________

email ____________________________@

__________________________________

Member TCDA ACDACategory DUES DUES

† Full-time (12+ hrs) student membership includes convention registration fee.

Pre-Register

Save $25 !

_____ T-Shirt(s) @ $15 $ ______ _____ Golf Tournament @ $70 $ ____________ Polo Shirt(s) @ $25 $ ______ _____ Coffee Mug(s) @ $5 $ ____________ Barbecue Tickets @$15 $ _______

AMX / Disc / MC / VISA# ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ /___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ Exp Date: (eg 06/12) _____ / ______

CC Code (3 or 4 digits on card front on AMX; back, others) ____________ Signature _________________________________________

Billing address and ZIP: home__ work __ other: ________________________________________________________________________

1st Convention? ____Yes ____No

Pre-register and save $25. Registration at the door will be $100. Pre-registration deadline is July 1, 2009Please print plainly. This information will be used in the Membership Directory. Return form to TCDA • 7900 Centre Park Dr Ste A • Austin TX 78754

†Texas Residents must be current TCDA members to attend the Convention.*Out-of-state ACDA members may show current ACDA membership card and pay convention registration fees only.

Voluntary Scholarship Contribution $ ____________

Spouse/Child Names

An Affiliate of ACDA

q

q Convention Pre-Registration Fee† $75.00q Retired Pre-registration Fee $20.00 q Out-of-state Pre-Registration Fee* $75.00q Student Registration Fee $00.00q Spouse/Child Registrations each $ 5.00

Annual Convention July 29 - August 1 • San Antonio Convention CenterMembership Year • June 1, 2009 – May 31, 2010

2009-2010 Membership/2009 Convention Pre-Registration

3

HOTEL RESERVATION FORM Housing for 2009 Texas Choral &

Orchestra Directors Association will open on January 12, 2009. To secure your hotel choice and receive immediate confirmation, make your reservation via Internet. Faxed & mailed housing requests will take longer to process and choice hotels may not be available. INTERNET RESERVATIONS

www.ensemble.org/tcda/index.php?p=200

9conv FAXED/MAILED RESERVATIONS

Fax reservations to 210-207-6702. Mail reservations to TCODA Housing Bureau, 203 S. St. Mary’s, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78205. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

**To insure you receive the email

acknowledgement, please add

[email protected] to your

address book**

The TCODA Housing Bureau will send an acknowledgement of your reservation via email, fax or mail, depending on information provided on your housing form. Please review all information for accuracy. Acknowledgements will be emailed within 12 hours of reservation being processed directly online. Housing forms received via fax & mail will require 10-14 days for processing & sending of acknowledgement. If you do not receive your acknowledgement in this time frame, please contact TCODA Housing Bureau by fax at 210-207-6702, or email: [email protected]. You will

not receive a written confirmation from

the hotel. ROOM RATES/TAXES

To take advantage of the special TCODA rates, please book your reservation by June 24, 2009. After June 24, 2009, room blocks will be released and hotels may charge higher rates. All rates are per room and are subject to 16.75% occupancy tax, (subject to change). Special requests can not be guaranteed; however, hotels will do their best to honor all requests. Hotels will assign specific room types upon check-in, based on availability. GUARANTEE

All reservations require a credit card valid through July 2009 or check guarantee at the time of confirming reservations. Requests received without a valid guarantee will be returned and will not be processed. Credit cards may be billed anytime June 24, 2009, at the discretion of your confirmed hotel. CHECK DEPOSITS

If you choose to mail a check deposit, it should be made payable to TCODA Housing Bureau in the amount of $200 and mailed along with your housing form to the address provided. CANCELLATIONS

TCODA Housing Bureau must receive all cancellations on or prior May 25, 2009, to avoid a penalty. Any cancellations received after May 25, 2009, will be assessed a $50 cancellation fee. This fee will be charged within seven days of the cancellation.

RESERVATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED IF FORM IS INCOMPLETE. Telephone requests are not accepted. Keep a copy of this form for your records. DO NOT MAIL AFTER FAXING. Acknowledgements are emailed, mailed or faxed only to the email or fax provided and name listed in field #8. Photocopy this form if you need more than one room SELECT SIX HOTELS: Rooms are assigned first come/first served. If choices are not available, a room will

be secured at a hotel based on your preference of rate or proximity, and availability. Use code only, not

numbers. See Hotel Listing for rates and codes. 1st 2nd 3rd Choice Choice Choice 4th 5th 6th Choice Choice Choice If hotel Choices are sold out, which is more important? ❑ Room Rate ❑ Location

2. Arrival: 3. Departure: DATE:__________________TIME:__________am pm DATE:__________________TIME:__________am pm (Make air reservations before filling out arrival/departure dates on this form. Requests for more than 2 days pre/post-convention may not be available through the

housing department. Acknowledgment will advise you to call the hotel direct for additional nights (not always available at convention rates)

4: CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX: ❑ ONE BED ❑ TWO BEDS

Suites must be requested in writing to TCODA Housing Bureau via email at [email protected], or fax 210-207-6702.

5. 5. The housing department will request room type, hotel will confirm if available. TOTAL PEOPLE IN ROOM:______________

6. 6. ROOM GUARANTEE: All rooms must be guaranteed. Some hotels require a non-refundable 1st night room and tax deposit. If this applies, the credit card provided below

will be charged for that amount. __________________________ _______________________ ______________ __________________________ Type of card (i.e. AE, MC, VS) Credit Card Number Expiration Date Name on Credit Card

7. LIST ALL OCCUPANTS first name first: 1. _____________________ 2. ____________________________ 3. _____________________ 4. ____________________________ 8. SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO: FIRST NAME MI LAST NAME AFFILIATION/COMPANY STREET ADDRESS OR P.O. BOX NUMBER CITY STATE COUNTRY ZIP CODE DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER FAX NUMBER ( If International, indicate Country/City Code)

Email address:______________________________________________________ 9. SPECIAL REQUESTS: ❑ SMOKING ❑ NON-SMOKING ❑ Check here for disability

List special or other needs:____________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Continue to use TCODA Housing Bureau for changes & cancellations through June 30, 2009. Beginning July 1, 2009, all

requests for changes & cancellations must be directed to your confirmed hotel. Reservations must be cancelled within 72

hours of arrival or hotel will charge a first night’s room and tax.

Hotel Code Address Sing Double Triple Quad Valet Self-Park

Marriott Rivercenter MRC 101 Bowie Street 153 175 197 197 27 21

North of Marriott Riverwalk – attached to RiverCenter Mall

Marriott Riverwalk SAM 711 E Riverwalk 145 150 169 169 27 21

Headquarters Hotel -Across Market Street from Convention Center

Grand Hyatt GRHY 600 E Market 178 178 178 178 30 23

Attached to North end of Convention Center

Hilton Palacio del Rio HPR 200 S Alamo 131 146 166 166 33.50 22

West Across Alamo Street from Convention Center

Menger Hotel MEN 204 Alamo Plaza 115 125 130 130 25

3 Blocks North of Convention Center; across Crockett from the Alamo

LaQuinta Conv Center LQC 303 Blum 123 123 123 1 23 20 16

1 Block East of Marriott Riverwalk; Free Parking

LaQuinta Downtown LQD 100 W Durango 108 108 108 108 - free

7 Blocks SW of Convention Centre; 1 block from Trolley; Free Breakfast, HH, and Parking

Plaza San Antonio PLZ 555 S Alamo 127 142 157 172 23 16

Across Alamo St, 1 1/2 blocks South of Convention Center

Red Roof Inn RRI 1011 E Houston 95 95 95 95 - free

Just E of I-37, 7 Blocks from Convention Center; 1 block from Trolley; Free breakfast, HH, and Parking

Crockett Hotel HIC 320 Bonham St 115 125 130 130 - free

Just NE of Menger; Across Bonham Street

Documents

Texas Sings! Spring 2009