News and Notices

Community choruses are working to find new methods of bringing their choristers together during this pandemic. As we discuss opportunities to build community, one common theme emerges — the concept of a virtual choir.

Virtual choirs are already starting to pop up everywhere — in our Facebook feeds, on YouTube, and almost hourly in our online choir forums.

They have, perhaps surprisingly, become somewhat of a controversial subject amongst choral leaders.

On one hand, virtual choirs are pretty cool and they are a great way to make music “together” in isolation.

On the other hand, they take ton of effort to create and we certainly shouldn’t expect every chorus to have the desire, time, or technical know-how to make them.

No matter where you stand, surely we can all appreciate music being made during this difficult time. We are truly lucky to live in a world and time where technology allows us the option to make music together even when we are apart. 

So, without further ado, here are some of the brave souls from across the world that have created awesome virtual choirs during COVID-19.

If you’ve been paying attention to the news this week, you probably heard that on Friday (March 27, 2020), Congress passed, and the President signed, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The $2 trillion stimulus package does a lot. You can read up on the details more fully here. The point of this post is to focus your attention on two opportunities your chorus should take advantage of right now. Read the full post here!

Note: This blog only covers resources available in the U.S.

Exploring repertoire is a worthwhile use of time during the COVID-19 quarantining. Here is a feature of six great SATB pieces from six talented composers!

Six Artist Owned Pieces to View During COVID-19 Social Distancing for High School and College SATB

Currently in its 13th year, the Boston Choral Ensemble’s Commission Competition aims to identify a talented composer and support her or him in the performance of a new work for chamber choir to be premiered by Boston Choral Ensemble.

This year we are inviting people to propose a work inspired by water using a text or texts with a water theme.

The prize is $1,500 and the performance of the commissioned work will be premiered in the fourth concert of our 20/21 season (likely in May, 2021). The concert will be devoted to a water theme and will include music by Palestrina, Whitacre, and others

Details of the 2020 competition may be found at https://www.bostonchoral.org/commission-competition. Applications must be submitted by July 15, 2020.

Applicants with further questions are encouraged to contact the competition coordinator at .

COVID-19 has the potential to greatly and negatively impact small nonprofits.

I’m on a mission right now to help community choruses overcome the challenges that COVID-19 brings and come out on the other end stronger than ever before. One of the ways I will do this is to provide you with information for bringing in revenue during this critical time.

You might have already seen my post on how to transform your live fundraising event into a virtual one. Another fundraising opportunity, perhaps an even simpler one, is to host what’s called a “non-event.”

Here is information on how to host a non-event for your chorus.

ACDA is seeking a Chair of the Diversity Initiatives Committee, one of several national standing committees. All interested individuals are invited to submit a letter of application, including a vision statement and curriculum vitae, to Lynne Gackle, ACDA president, by May 1, 2020.

National chairs of standing committees are appointed for a four-year term by the Executive Committee of ACDA. A national committee chair may be reappointed once, for a maximum of eight years. The chair of the Diversity Initiatives Committee should be a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion with a commensurate history and background. The applicant should be willing to work to fulfill the mission of the Diversity Initiatives Committee specifically, and ACDA in general, in a positive and professional manner. The chair should have successful leadership and strong communication skills. The standing committee chairs will attend the National Leadership Conferences as deemed by ACDA.

ACDA Diversity Initiatives Mission Statement

The mission of the Diversity Initiatives Committee is to foster diversity and inclusivity in our membership, ensembles, and repertoire through active engagement with underrepresented choral musicians and potential choral participants. As a result of this inclusivity, the committee plans to bring about a broader definition of choral excellence to maintain relevance through the expansion of both the reach and impact of our profession and its musical scope.

Diversity Initiatives Committee
Eugene Rogers, co-chair
Penelope Cruz, co-chair
Angela Broeker
Gennevieve Brown-Kibble
André de Quadros

Note: Eugene Rogers will be resigning from the committee due to other professional responsibilities. Penelope Cruz will also be leaving the committee to begin her role as ACDA Eastern Region President in July 2020.

Process dateline:
1. Applications submitted to Lynne Gackle, ACDA President, by May 1, 2020. Email: .
2. Review of applicants by ACDA in May, 2020.
3. Appointment no later than June 1, 2020.