Reflection on ACDA’s National Conferences

By Hilary Apfelstadt, ACDA Interim Executive Director

As a graduate student at the University of Illinois decades ago, I attended my first national ACDA conference, and it truly changed my life. Never had I heard so many fine choirs gathered in one place or seen so many leaders in the field share their knowledge and experience. Later, as a junior professor in North Carolina, I joined the chapter there and quickly realized these were “my people.” Over the years, I have experienced ACDA from many angles: as a teacher preparing honor choir students; as a conductor of honor choirs; as an officer working with a network of inspiring colleagues; as part of a national team traveling to Israel to investigate potential musical collaborations; as an advisor of a student chapter; and now as a staff member, at least for a while. ACDA has been my professional lifeline. It has provided resources, inspiration, challenges, and opportunities. Many of my dearest friends are ACDA members. I suspect those words resonate with many of you.

It has given me great joy to see former students grow up in ACDA, performing and presenting at conferences, leading at the state, regional and national levels. ACDA’s positive influence is a result of the many members, like you, who are good colleagues, dedicated teachers and professional musicians. The amount of time that many of you dedicate to the organization is truly inspiring. In the past month, I have seen firsthand the fervor of the national conference steering committee members who are spending an inordinate amount of time planning for a virtual conference in a format that is new to us. Without the expense of travel and hotels, or the need to take time from our jobs, we can attend the national ACDA conference not only as it happens but also for months afterwards, as we will have long-term access to the events. While we will not be able to reconnect face-to-face with our friends across the country or across international borders, we will share virtually the gifts of music, of ideas, and of inspiration. I am truly excited about the event.

In these times when we are hungry for the healing power of music, for the connections and community it provides, we can benefit from immersing ourselves in the opportunities the conference offers. Concerts, interest sessions, publisher reading sessions, cohort groups with people who share our passions – these are only part of what awaits us in March 2021. We can still interact with exhibitors and presenters, hear a variety of ensembles, and collect ideas to keep us productive. This pandemic is not permanent, as daunting as it is, yet there are uncertainties about the future. Now more than ever we need hope and inspiration for our work. Pre-registration will begin November 4 with a special discounted rate for those of you who sign on by January 27. Encourage your friends to join you, especially if they have never attended a national conference. Come to (virtual) Dallas 2021 where “all’s right with the (musical) world!”