Bridging States Through Song: Reflections on the 27th Annual ACDA Voices United Conference

The 27th Annual ACDA Voices United Conference convened August 1–2, 2025, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia. Established in 1999, Voices United was conceived as a collaborative summer initiative to unify the American Choral Directors Association’s state chapters across Virginia, Maryland/DC, and Delaware. It serves as a unique alternative to traditional state conferences, fostering regional collaboration between the Southern and Eastern Divisions of ACDA.

This year’s conference brought together choral musicians, educators, conductors, and students for two days of intensive professional development, artistic inspiration, and community engagement. The 2025 headliner clinicians included Dr. Jeffrey Benson (San José State University), Dr. Julie Yu-Oppenheim (Kansas State University), and Dr. Jamie Hillman (University of Toronto), whose expertise anchored the conference with transformative rehearsals, lectures, and workshops.

Key offerings included a conducting masterclass, a wide array of interest sessions spanning pedagogy, vocal technique, and repertoire, as well as networking and social events designed to cultivate connection among ACDA members. Notably, the conference featured two performance-based ensembles: the Children’s Honor Choir, conducted by Dr. Hillman, and the Festival Chorus, conducted by Dr. Yu-Oppenheim, with the South Loudoun Youth Chorale serving as the anchor choir.

The success of this year’s conference is a testament to the tireless leadership of Bonnie Tynch, Immediate Past-President of the Virginia chapter, who chaired Voices United for the past two years. During the closing session, she ceremoniously passed the baton to Frank J. Van Atta, President-Elect of the Maryland/DC chapter, who will oversee the planning of the conference for the next two years.

While the conference has traditionally been hosted in Virginia, a new rotational model has been established to share hosting responsibilities among the three participating states. In alignment with this vision, the 28th Annual ACDA Voices United Conference will take place July 31–August 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C.—marking the first time the event will be held in the nation’s capital.

Voices United continues to expand its reach and impact, offering choral professionals a distinctive summer experience grounded in collaboration, excellence, and shared purpose. For more information, visit www.acdavoicesunited.com or follow us on Facebook at ACDA Voices United.

Submitted by Ocie S. Banks, MD/DC ACDA President