The future of choral networking.
On Monday December 28 the ChoralNet Board of Directors unanimously approved a motion to dissolve the non-profit corporation ChoralNet, Inc. and merge ChoralNet operations with the American Choral Directors Association effective January 1, 2010.
What does this mean for you?
It means that the 20,000 or so ACDA members that are not already using ChoralNet forums will begin to do so as ACDA moves to use ChoralNet as its main form of communication. New forums will spring up, both geographic- and content-focused, created by the ACDA leadership structure and many more users will meet and exchange information on ChoralNet. With ACDA’s focus on international outreach and connection, we can expect forums in languages other than English to begin. With the resources available to such a strong association, ChoralNet will be able to add new features more quickly and branch out into new online endeavors because the volunteer work that has sustained Choralnet all these years will be augmented by staff in the national headquarters of ACDA and by ACDA’s vast network of elected and appointed leadership.
The vision for ChoralNet – to create a vehicle whereby online choral musicians might network and share information – has not changed in sixteen years. ACDA is dedicated to maintaining a place for the free exchange of ideas and information. Its support of ChoralNet in the past is simply going to be exponentially increased.
Here’s are some things you can expect in 2010:
1. Continued development of the ChoralNet site. We will continue to make the website easier to use and more customizable for the individual user even while combining the resources of both the ACDA and ChoralNet websites, making this the main crossroads of choral music on the Internet.
2. We will add experts from different repertoire and geographic areas to monitor and moderate the forums. The new “Families” feature soon to be unveiled (similar to Facebook “groups”) will provide networking for a myriad of special interests.
3. We will begin to codify the ChoralNet archives into a wiki format, beginning what we envision as a ChoralPedia – an online encyclopedia of articles – as a way of building resources for future generations of choral directors.
It is an exciting time to be a choral musician.