September 2007

From the President | Hilary Apfelstadt

Even though many of us start the school year in August, or even earlier, I still associate the month of September with a return to school. Perhaps it is because Labor Day always signaled the beginning of a new year when I was a child.  New years bring with them different opportunities and challenges. As children, we wondered what our new teachers would be like, whether our best friends would be in our classes, and how much harder the next grade would be. As conductors, we wonder what the new students will be like, whether our new colleagues and/or administrators will be supportive, and whether or not our musical agenda will be as well received as it was last year.

This summer, I attended several state ACDA conventions and heard teachers discussing various challenges they face. I enjoyed performances by fine choirs and had the privilege of conducting two all-state honor choirs. Those present hailed the young singers as the key to the future of music education.  Indeed, maintaining their skills and love of music is crucial to ensuring their continued participation.  With some state curricular guidelines making it more difficult than ever to keep singers in programs throughout high school, it becomes apparent that community and church choirs must fill the gaps created by those restrictions.  We are fortunate that so many of our ACDA members are engaged in teaching singers in community children’s and youth choirs. 
These singers are but one key to sustaining our choral traditions, however.  Teachers are another key, especially young teachers, whose energy and enthusiasm for their craft are sometimes tinged with rude awakenings as they learn to navigate school systems; to deal with students, parents, and administrators; and to survive the rigors of the profession. We must do everything possible to nurture beginning teachers.  States that honor outstanding young teachers are to be commended for doing so. Both Kansas and Missouri ACDA chapters recognized such leaders this summer, and do so annually. I was impressed to hear about what these young conductors are doing to provide musical leadership in their states, already influencing many students in such a positive way.  They are an inspiration.

In addition, the honor choir singers recognized their teachers’ contributions with lusty cheers. It was heart-warming to see them acknowledge these teachers’ contributions to their own successes, regardless of the number of years of experience they may have in the field.
Those of us who have passed the five-year teaching mark have an obligation to encourage our young colleagues, as well as those in mid-career. Likewise, we can look to our retired members as mentors whose vast experience is a storehouse of ideas for all of us. Regardless of where we are in our choral experience—as young singers, novice teachers, or veterans—we are linked by our commitment to the choral art.

This year, I hope each of us will truly savor opportunities to nurture someone’s love of choral music, whether that be a young child in our classroom; a junior high school student finding that new voice; a high school senior preparing for college; a university student seeking to continue that wonderful choral experience from high school; or a community or church choir musician who simply loves to sing.  In particular, reaching out to our colleagues, both younger and older, is essential, not only for our own rejuvenation but also for strengthening our collective roles as champions of choral music.  

Participating in state conventions this summer served to remind me of how crucial our personal and professional links are, and how the choral communities we form are essential to the health of ACDA.  How I wished that every choral conductor in each state could have been there to share in the camaraderie and the music making. During this coming year, reach out to a colleague who will benefit from connecting with you. Do what you can do individually to bring new members to the ACDA community.  In addition, encourage your state ACDA leadership to consider publicly honoring outstanding young teachers; to set up mentoring programs; to acknowledge the enormous contributions made by veteran conductors; and to bring positive visibility to our profession at every opportunity.  We will all be stronger for it.

Hilary Apfelstadt

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