I am writing this President’s Column in the afterglow of our Southern Division Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, March 5th through 8th, 2008. What a wonderful week we enjoyed together! The standard of performance by our choirs, interest session presenters, round-table discussion leaders, ecumenical and showcase concert ensembles, honor choirs, reading sessions and convention sings, and so many others was simply amazing. To top it off, the convenient proximity of our activities allowed lots of time for visits with friends, former classmates, and choral colleagues. The rewards of our week together will be with us for a long time to come. Sincere thanks to all who were part of our successful week.

My own response to the convention is to feel overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people, who give their time so freely and with such bright spirits, to secure and enable choral music for the next generation. We are an organization of volunteers. Whatever you may be paid for your work, you know that the successes we enjoy in our classrooms and with our ensembles depends upon those many hours that we give beyond our “work” day. The same is true for ACDA. Having been on the receiving end of so much of your volunteer work in preparing and implementing our convention in Louisville, I can only be humbled to count myself among the recipients.

During leadership sessions Jerry Warren, Interim Executive Director, presented some challenging information on ACDA membership trends at national, division, and state levels. Jerry has been in a unique position to observe recent patterns in ACDA membership. Whether due to challenging economic times, “crunches” in school program funding, or for whatever combination of reasons, ACDA membership has slipped a bit. Leadership discussions explored a variety of possible reasons, but the bottom line was clear. We all must renew our efforts to bring members into our organization. At every level and, particularly among new and student members, we must reach out to our fellow music educators and let them know the valuable services and resources ACDA offers. We need to contact friends who might have let their memberships elapse and encourage them to maintain their affiliation with ACDA. Finally, we should let current members know that we appreciate their contributions to our organization.

At the division level, we are taking several steps. First, we are working to facilitate better communication with our states about elapsed memberships, in order to make follow-up contacts easier. Second, we are responding to concerns about how to bring new graduates and young educators into our organization. For example, this spring we presented Colleen Kirk Awards to two music educators in our division, William Podolski and Lisa Mast, to encourage teachers in their first three years of service to attend ACDA conventions. We initiated a new activity at this year’s convention aimed specifically at aspiring conductors and music teachers who are in the midst of their collegiate studies: a highly successful collegiate interest session. Finally, we have invited Beth Brown Shugart to serve as our new Southern Division Membership Chair. Beth’s service to ACDA is long-standing and of the highest quality. We are very excited about the experience and skill she will bring to this role.

So, what can you do? First, share your enthusiasm with others. Our convention was thrilling. Let your friends know what they missed by not being with us in Louisville. Inform them about upcoming opportunities through ACDA, including state conferences, the 2009 convention in Oklahoma City, and our 2010 Southern Division convention in Memphis. Second, let them know that we offer much more than conventions. The resources of Choral Journal, of state chapters, of our national office and officers, of R & S areas, can all provide invaluable tools to help educate, support, and renew educators’ efforts. Invite friends as your guests to state ACDA activities. Consider making ACDA membership a present to a friend. You’ll be helping in more ways than you know.

ACDA is beginning a new chapter, under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Sharp as Executive Director. We congratulate Dr. Sharp on his appointment and thank Dr. Jerry Warren for his outstanding service during this interim period. Both represent the Southern Division with distinction. In the days ahead, examination of our goals and activities will no doubt bring new perspectives and opportunities to invigorate and further the outreach of ACDA. As we look ahead, your input at all levels will help determine the future of our organization. There has never been a better time to lend your support to ACDA.

David Castleberry
Southern Division President

President's Message