Hello Friends,
I am a retired Choral Educator seeking information. Many years ago, a National ACDA Conference was held in San Antonio, TX. For the first time, a Multi-Cultural Choir consisting of pre-auditioned high school students, college students, and choral educators performed under the direction of Anton Armstrong and a woman who I believe was from Venezuela. I am thinking this occurred in the 1990s? Perhaps 1993?
I am wondering if anyone remembers the repertoire we sang? I think one piece was “True Light” by Keith Hampton, a piece that he dedicated to Essence of Joy, Penn State, Dr. Tony Leach. I tried to reach out to Tony Leach, but quickly realized in my search that he passed away earlier this year. What a wonderful man and musician he was. I heard his Essence of Joy perform a few times at various ACDA conferences. I had the opportunity to work with him as the choral manager of the Vermont All-State Choir when he was the guest conductor.
At any rate, I would love to remember the pieces we did at that ACDA conference. The multi-cultural choir was a big hit!
Thank you.
Glory Lanphear (retired Vermont choral director and former VT-ACDA President, now a resident of Maryland)
Tobin Sparfeld says
It was probably 1993. Maybe the woman was Maria Guinand?
GloryL says
Hi Tobin,
That name sounds right. Do you have, or do you know of anyone, who might have or remember the repertoire for the Multi-Cultural Choir? Was it ever published in a journal?
Thank you!
Glory