TexasSingsFall2017

Volume 34 Number 3

TEXAS SINGS!

Official Publication of the Texas Choral Directors Association

. .. t s a P e h t m o r F t A Blas Your 2017-18 Officers

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Fall 2017

2017-2018 TCDA OFFICERS

Dr. Pam Elrod Huffman Dallas President

Dr. Carolyn Cruse Lubbock College/Community

Dan Baker Amarillo Church

Jason Dove Deer Park High School

Carisa Niemeyer Richardson Secretary/Treasurer

Christina Chapman Murphy Middle School/Junior High

Kari Gilbertson Richardson Past President

Sharon Lutz Austin Executive Director

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Did you guess correctl

Sharon Lutz

Christina Chapman Carisa Niemeyer Dan Baker Pam Elrod Huffman

Kari Gilbertson Carolyn Cruse Debra Johnson Jason Dove

Debra Johnson Belmont Elementary

TEXAS SINGS!

Volume 34 • Number 3

Attention TCDA Members Student Leadership Day: There will be no High School Student Leadership Day held during the 2018 Convention.

However, we are pleased to announce that TCDA will offer FIVE High School Student Leadership Day events in major regional cities in 2018. As plans are confirmed, information will be posted on our website.

Hosting five events in major Texas cities will allow more students to attend this popular and informative session. Spread the word, and stay tuned!

Fall 2017

Table Of Contents Past, Present, Future..................................................................... page 2 Greetings from the President - by Dr. Pam Elrod Huffman Get In Shape For July!................................................................. page 3

by Sharon Lutz, TCDA Executive Director Assist Hurricane Relief Effort In Texas Schools.............................. page 3 Reinvigorating Your Choral Warm-ups......................................... pages 4-5

by Jason Dove, High School Division 2017 TCDA Scholarships............................................................. page 6 New Friendship Leads To New TCDA Scholarship......................... page 7

by Beverly Schlegel A Special Thanks To Our 2017 Scholarship Donors...................... page 8 The Power of Music to Heal........................................................ page 9

by Paula D’Arcy Impossible Ideal.......................................................................... page 10

by Jeff Rice, TCDA Past President 2011-2013 Advertising, Sponsorship, Exhibitors............................................ page 12

TCDA Membership Year: The TCDA Membership Year is January 1 – December 31.

Membership for 2018 opens December 1, 2017. Renew or Join TCDA at www.tcda.net to receive benefits for the entire year! (See page 13 for a list of Member Benefits.)

Benefits for TCDA Members........................................................ page 13 Geographic Distribution Of All Current Texas TCDA Members..... page 13 2017 Third Quarter TCDA Financial Report.................................. page 14 In Memoriam.............................................................................. page 16 Memories From The 2017 Convention........................................ pages 17-19 2017 TCDA Awards.................................................................... page 20 2018 TCDA Headliners................................................................ inside back

TCDA Convention Dates: Mark your calendar for future convention dates: July 26-28, 2018 July 25-27, 2019 July 23-25, 2020

TEXAS SINGS! Editor: Beverly Schlegel Layout and Design: Mary Byrd Official Publication of the Texas Choral Directors Association 7900 Centre Park Drive, Suite A • Austin, TX 78754 512-474-2801 • www.tcda.net 2017 Texas Choral Directors Association No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Executive Director.

TCDA is an affiliate of ACDA.

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

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Past, Present, Future

by Dr. Pam Elrod Huffman, President One of the many things I contemplate while lying awake at 2:30 am is the future – and there are many items that pop up under that heading: tomorrow’s rehearsal, next week’s concert, that sullen-looking student I obsess about when there is an entire choir of happy-looking students, whether or not I’m good enough, etc. Oh – and TCDA. More specifically, how can TCDA honor the past and, at the same time, keep up with the present and evolve with the future? How can TCDA grow in relevance? You know – easy questions like that. These are the questions your TCDA Board reflects on at every meeting and in between meetings. They are essential questions that require ongoing thought and, with luck, answers now and then. We know that the future of TCDA cannot look just like the present, except with a receding hairline. We know how crucial it is for us to continue to think creatively about who we will be as opposed to who we were – to continue to examine that frightening, uncomfortable thing known as “CHANGE.” I tell you this because I think it’s important that you know about these conversations. And it’s equally important that you support our conversations by sharing your own wisdom, insights, and ideas about how this organization can continue to serve its membership. So please contribute your ideas – and along with that, contribute your time and energy. Volunteer for one of the committees, submit a session proposal, run for office, vote for your officers!

And perhaps most important, encourage your colleagues to join TCDA and to attend the Convention.

The Convention! Our recent fall Board meeting yielded some very exciting plans for the 2018 Convention. You’ll see that we have reconfigured the reading sessions to allow for more interest sessions. And those interest sessions will provide opportunities for you to leave the Convention informed, enriched, and inspired. You’ll have the opportunity to spend time with the extraordinary Tesfa Wondemagegnehu. If you don’t know Tesfa, check him out (https://www.tesfawon.com) – he is an inspiring choral “warrior” who is leading the charge to make choral music life-changing and world-changing. He’ll share his infectious enthusiasm and wisdom as our Convocation speaker and also in an interest session. You’ll hear wonderful choirs, including the Elementary Honor Choir, under the direction of the legendary Ruth Dwyer.

TCDA is here to serve you – what that service looks like depends on you. Let us know what we can do to help you continue to grow as leaders in your profession. In that way, we will continue to grow… and change.

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TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Get In Shape For July!

by Sharon Lutz, Executive Director After spending the better part of a year planning convention, our hope is that every member coming to San Antonio enjoys a much deserved break, even for just a few days, before heading back to the hectic school year. We want the time you spend with us to be a real mental break, maybe the last one you get before the summer fades away. The 2018 convention may also offer members a physical recharge as well. We will be racking up some miles at the newly renovated Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. So, bring your fitness tracker, your favorite water bottle, and pack your walking shoes!

Holding our convention at a premier meeting and event facility is both a good thing and a bad thing. This state-of-the-art facility is now attracting a record number of events, and bookings in 2018 include events held simultaneously with our TCDA convention. Therefore, our upcoming convention (for 2018 only) will be spread out across much of the 1.3 million square feet of the Convention Center, with some rooms that we will be utilizing quite spread out from one another. That is the bad news for us!

The upside of holding our convention at the Henry B. Gonzalez Center is an all-around better attendee experience. The revised floor plan means improved circulation, easy access from the exhibit hall to meeting rooms, expanded aisle intersections and sight lines, and a major upgrade of the building’s technology. It goes without saying that San Antonio offers members a perfect place to relax and vacation, with many activities and restaurants within walking distance of the convention center.

As always, for members who need it, scooters can be rented from Tom’s Wheelchairs in advance. As convention gets closer, we will provide more information about the changes you can expect to the TCDA convention layout. Thank goodness for good A/C! Mark your calendars now for the July 26-28 convention in beautiful San Antonio. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones too! Have a great fall.

Assist Hurricane Relief Effort In Texas Schools

help bring back

THE ARTS

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Be a part of restoring Texas fine arts programs devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

Please join in providing assistance to teachers, districts and students affected by this disaster. We want to help the affected areas in rebuilding with the resources necessary for students to receive a wellrounded education that includes the arts.

Please go to https://help.goarts.org. Your help is much appreciated!

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Reinvigorating Your Choral Warm-ups

by Jason Dove, High School Division The life of a choir director is paved with good intentions when it comes to our personal lives. Many of us go grocery shopping with the intent to eat healthier and take better care of ourselves. If you are like me, you find yourself one month later looking through the refrigerator frustrated by the expiration dates on your milk, eggs, etc. I sometimes find myself in the same “expiration” mode when it comes to choral warm-ups. We all have our favorite choral warm-ups, but sometimes even the best of the best have an expiration date when they have lost their initial pedagogical function. The warm-up time is crucial to developing vocal technique and musicianship skills. Instead of throwing these out, maybe we can find ways to reinvent them. If our choral warm-ups are getting stale like week-old donuts, there are various ways that directors wiser than I have devised to revive them.

Jason Dove Here are a few tools that are applicable to most vocal warm-ups: • Add in dynamics – go back and forth from forte to piano as you modulate • Add in crescendos/decrescendos – a great way students can hear their amazing ability to crescendo and their need to work

on decrescendos • Add in articulation- if it is staccato, sing legato or vice versa, or introduce marcato • Switch the warm-up to solfeggio – this will blow their minds but they can do it • Have the students show you, on their hands (hand staff), where the notes are for this warm-up • Switch to your preferred counting method for the warm-up These are just a few ways to breathe new life into your warm-up time that are crucial to developing vocal and musicianship skills.

If you find yourself looking for more warm-ups to develop your students, I would like to suggest a few resources. These books are arranged based on various concepts like range-building, flexibility, legato singing, etc. In addition, all of these books come with accompaniment CDs. While it is important to have the piano skills to warm up your choir, it is equally important to have the ability to “roam free” among your singers to get a better idea of individual vocal production.

Building Beautiful Voices - Paul Nesheim, Scott Foss, Weston Noble - has a number of great warm-ups. Some of my favorites are #44, #56 and #59. The accompaniments are available on SmartMusic. There is a student edition with the vocal warm-ups written out as well as an accompaniment book with the piano parts written out in full transposition.

The Choral Warm-Up – James Jordan – is another great resource for warm-ups. It is available in a hardbound edition with CDs included. Some of my favorites are #14 & #17. V. One I find especially useful is #24; warming up in minor is important since not all of our literature is written in a major key.

The Choral Warm Up: Modal Exercises - Roger Ames - is another resource if you are singing a song in a mode or you want to incorporate more theory into your classroom.

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TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Chorale Vocal Technique – Sabine Horstmann – A new warm-up book with lots of exercises. There are really a lot of ideas in this warm-up book, including warm-ups for students to interact with each other. You will want to read through it for the various concepts and variations within each warm-up. I like the idea of warm-ups dedicated to Latin, Italian, French and German. Some of my favorites are #50 and #79. There are even warm-ups dedicated to preparing “Messiah” melismas.

Sing Legato – Kenneth Jennings- This is a tried and true gem, a shorter collection than the others listed, but just as useful. I especially like how all of the warm-ups define the technique or terms you are working on, i.e. “sing a little louder in crescendo with a fuller voice”, all on an ascending scale.

Numbers 5, 6 and 7 are great to teach concepts of dynamics, articulation and sigh the tone singing.

Lastly, it may be best to devise your own warm-ups based on your literature. Take a harder intervallic passage and make it a warm-up. If there are vowel issues with a word or two, include this in your warm-up. There are many other warm-up books available that may have some of your favorites. If not, take this opportunity to replenish your warm-up grocery supplies and enjoy!

Invest in the Future Donate to the TCDA Scholarship Fund and Support the Future Of Choral Music Donate online www.tcda.net or call the TCDA office (512) 474-2801.

On the following pages, read about the TCDA scholarship program, the 2017 recipients and a list of donors.

Thank you!

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

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2017 TCDA Scholarships

2017 TCDA Student Scholarship Recipients Left to right: Joshua Taylor, Billy Talley (TCDA Past President), Briana Salas, Courtney Neva, Casey LeVie, Caleb Fritz, Kameryn Mattingly, Marguerita McCormick (for Rachel McCormick), Kari Gilbertson (TCDA President), and Henrik Zetterstrom.

Not pictured: Kaitlyn McIntire, Ryan Rogers, Kylee Shipp, Ashley Tillerson, Francis Vu.

I am very grateful for the TCDA community for providing college students like myself with a means to pay for our education. This is crucial because of the ever-rising cost of higher education. Scholarships like the ones provided by the TCDA General Fund and the family of James Matheny make it possible for myself and other students to pursue a lifetime of singing and doing what we love. Aside from providing scholarship opportunities, TCDA also gives students the opportunity to experience workshops and provides an insight into choral music in other parts of the state, country, and the world. This does a great deal to prepare students for being well-rounded and well-educated future choral directors.

—W. Henrik Zetterstrom Music Ed. & Vocal Performance Major Texas Tech University

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Congratulations To Our Scholarship Recipients: Caleb Fritz Texas Christian University CLOYS WEBB

Briana Salas UT Arlington WILLIAM GORHAM

Casey LeVie Baylor University DONALD BAILEY

Kylee Shipp Dallas Baptist University JAMES EDWARD MATHENY

Kameryn Mattingly Texas Tech University GENERAL FUND

Joshua Taylor SMU JIM AND GLENDA CASEY

Rachel McCormick Baylor University GENERAL FUND

Ashley Tillerson Texas Tech University PAST PRESIDENTS

Kaitlyn McIntire UT Arlington JACKIE COCKE

Francis Vu Michigan State University GANDY INK

Courtney Neva Texas State University ABBOTT-IPCO

Henrik Zetterstrom Texas Tech University JAMES EDWARD MATHENY

Ryan Rogers University of Houston GENERAL FUND

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Renewed Friendship Leads To New TCDA Scholarship

by Beverly Schlegel

TCDA has exciting news to share with our members. We are pleased to announce the recently established Mary Ann and Art Winden Endowed Scholarship, providing tuition assistance to college students majoring in choral, vocal or church music.

Both lifelong educators and residents of San Antonio, Mary Ann is a life member of ACDA and a past Secretary-Treasurer (1977-78) of TCDA. She taught public school music at all levels for over 30 years, while her husband, Art, switched from teaching music to teaching history to allow more time to sing professionally.

Intending to pursue a career in Church Music, but needing a job, Mary Ann was advised to take six more hours to qualify for a teaching certificate (these classes were Ed Psych and Educational Conducting). She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, and landed her first teaching assignment in a brand new elementary school. She was lucky enough to have a wonderfully supportive principal and mentor. With no preparation to be a teacher, on the first day of class, Mary Ann turned to an experienced teacher for advice, and was told, “Go in and salute the flag and say the Lord’s Prayer!” Mary Ann went on to an illustrious and fulfilling career in music. She taught choir at Roosevelt High School in NEISD for 21 years, where her choirs received state, national and international acclaim. At Roosevelt, Mary Ann established a Madrigal Festival that attracted the finest choirs in the state. In TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

UIL competition her choirs at Roosevelt HS were recipients of 100 first Division and 50 Sweepstakes during her 21 years there.

The Roosevelt choirs were selected to sing twice at ACDA National Conventions, four times for SWACDA, and performed at NATS and TMEA conventions. Roosevelt was one of the first choirs selected to sing for the Carnegie Hall Concerts and the Friendship Ambassador Concerts. Mary Ann received a Distinguished Teaching Award in 1995.

In Summer 2014, Mary Ann became the Artistic Director of the Chapel Boychoir of San Antonio, a non-profit founded in 1999 devoted to training and celebrating the beauty of the boys’ unchanged voice.

She is a former dean of the Alamo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and currently serves as educational chair of the Alamo Chapter of Organists.

When asked why they decided to establish a TCDA scholarship, Mary Ann replied, “I found such a joy in teaching. I went on to receive my Masters in Music from the Eastman School in Rochester, NY, met Art, and we both found immense pleasure in teaching others to share their talents in music. Both of us were helped by mentors along the way, and we are just happy to be able to give back and assist others so they can do the same.”

Sharon Lutz, TCDA Executive Director, expressed her appreciation to Mary Ann and Art on behalf of the TCDA Board and its membership. “TCDA is fortunate to be a benefactor of Mary Ann and Art’s generosity.

For 62 years, TCDA has been providing scholarship funds to deserving students, and the ability to expand our scholarship offerings in 2018 is fantastic. This means a great deal to us. There are many students who find these funds invaluable, in fact critical, to their music education, so we are profoundly grateful for an additional scholarship to offer our applicants. TCDA

This year’s TCDA Convention was an exceptional experience for me. It allowed me to immerse myself into the thoroughly enriching environment that is Texas Choral Music. As a future music educator, the convention gave me an opportunity to witness the desire to further excellence in choral music through the musical and personal enrichment of both the directors and the students. Over the time span of a few short days, I saw the ability we have as people to encourage one another in a naturally competitive field, not out of selfish ambition but out of a genuine desire to ensure that we all become the best musicians, people, and leaders we can be for one another, for ourselves, and for our students. Receiving the Donald Bailey Scholarship from TCDA this year provided me with the momentum to power through these last few semesters of my undergraduate degree. Being a recipient of the scholarship encouraged me and reminded me that I, too, can make a difference in the lives of other people through choral music. Not only that, but I don’t have to wait until I am an official “choir teacher.” It starts now. So thank you, TCDA, for creating a community of music lovers and lifechangers and for encouraging students like me to make a difference in our profession and in the world.

—Casey LeVie Baylor University Class of 2019 BME Choral Music

is grateful to Mary Ann and Art for their generosity but also for their contributions to the future of music education.”

We are happy to welcome Mary Ann and Art back into the TCDA family. We hope they will be able to join us at the 2018 convention to recognize the first recipient of the Mary Ann and Art Winden Endowed Scholarship!

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Listing as of 6/13/17 through 9/28/17

A Special Thanks To Our 2017 Scholarship Donors Tyler Adcock Jennifer Agbu Joseph Akers Amy Allibon Jo Antinone Sylvia Arguelles Reza Azizi Matthew Bailey William Baldwin Alice Barnebey Barry Barrios Sam Bartos Susan Bartos Courtney Baxter April Bayer Nathan Benavides Katrina Bernhard Victoria Best David Beussman Rick Bjella Jade Blakey Clinton Blanco Julie Boettiger Shelby Bohlman Fredy Bonilla Sandy Borrego Brad Bouley Nicole Bouley Karen Bradford Tracy Bradstreet Gregory Brigham Christie Brown Leia Browning Phillip Brummett Lori Brunner Daniel Bryson Michael Bryson Rebekah Bulen Brice Campbell Cameron Carnley Stephnie Champion Amber Chapleau Sandra Clampitt Andre Clark Katie Clemmer Darlene Cluff Nichole Clyburn Jonathan Coffield Heather Cole Margot Cook Kellie Cooper Dylan Corder David Corman Garik Cotton Mary Cowart Vanessa Crixell Dawn Crnkovic Emily Crocker

Sue Cruse Andrea Cruz Ricardo Cruz Deborah Daniel Barbara Dardeau Caelyn Davis Florie Davis Trenton Davis Christian De la Cruz Austin Dean Shannon Devine Elisha Dorsett Joel Duarte Dyandra Edwards Pam Elam Susan Elliott Marianne Engle Stephanie Ertel Krista Eshbaugh Francisco Espinoza Demetrius Ethley Megan Eyden Eugenio Fabela Daniel Farris Charissa Fenton Fernando Fernandez Jr Tod Fish Clint Fleming Kelly Flores Victoria Flores Kari Flory Amy Francis Patricia Franco Linda Frazier Caryn Fulford Penny Gabrielsen Megan Gackle Stewart Gaitan Jennifer Gallagher Melody GamblinBullock Anna Gann Charlotte Gantenbein Elda Garcia Gershom Garcia Lauren Garcia Yvonne Garvey Beth Garza Nancy Garza Nicholas Garza Cate Gasco Dani Gathright Dana Gibson Tiffany Gibson Cindy Glenn Philip Glenn William Gokelman Rica Goldyn

Karen Gonzalez Jenn Goodner Michael Grauvogl Allen Grubbs Eileen Guinon Emily Gunter Brittany Gurganus Blanca Gutierrez Clyde Hale Pamela Hamer Rico Hamilton Michelle Hank Hannah Hansard Jared Hardy Katie Hargrove Beverly Harrison Judy Harvel Jennifer Harvey Greg Haugen Doremi Hejny Juan Hernandez Zendel Hernandez Sarah Herrington Ashley Hester Allen Hightower Edward Hinderer Arin Hindman Da’On Hinton Michael Hitt Michele Hobizal Linda Holkup Robyn Hollimon Karen Homer Robert Horton John Howard Austin Hunt Kathy Hunt Phillip Jackson Naida Jaggard Imani James Jessie James Joshua Janecka La’Netha Jefferson Chelsea Jimenez Michael Jimenez Bruce Johnson Linda Johnson Sierra Johnson Stephen Johnson Terre Johnson Cindy Johnston Cynthia Juarez James Kalke Tate Keen Leslie Keig Cynthia Kepler-Karrer Phyllis King Aubrey Kistler

Deanna Kolde Gabrielle Krueger Feliziti Landin Amy Lanford Renee Lawson Annie Lee Art LeSieur Holly Lewallen Karen Lewis Kristin Likos Nicholas Likos Bruce Limuel Grace Littlefield Nicole Lo Galbo Cindy Locke Jessica Logan Cynthia Longoria Maria Lorentzen Jon Marcum Tana Marks Jay Martin Alexandra Martinez Matthew Martinez Mark Marty Melissa Massie Katherine Mathis Mary Mathis-Sadler Jonathan Mayo Rachelle McClellan Brian McKinney Duncan McMahan Melissa Medina Juan Mendoza Helen Miers Deborah Miller Johnny Miller Raquel Miller Ricardo Monreal Marina Monsivais Eli Moralez Kendra Morgan Jimmy Mosby Jeff Moss Gerald Nicholas Lizette Ochoa Marlonado Bradley Olesen Valeria Ontiveros Heather Orr Lisa Owens Victor Parra Samuel Parrott Andrew Passmore Addison Pattillo Sharon Paul Jennifer Pavlovich Lamar Peeples Jerry Perales

Sydney Perez Meredith Phillips Sherri Pickering Chuck Pineda Amy Pitts Kelly Plunkett Tammie Polanco Sarah Posz Christi Powell Josh Powell Amy Prats Terri Preskitt-Brown Mary Price Kyle Pullen Gloria Quinlan Halley Radebaugh Gary Ragland Edward Ramirez Karen Ramirez Veronica Ramirez Kymberly Reeves Jasmine Richardson Jennifer Rivera David Rives Megan Robinett Stephanie Rodriguez Alyssa Rogers Dilhya Ross Tricia Russell Jennifer Sahadi Juli Salzman Jordan Sanchez Ann Sauder Erin Scalisi Kelsey Scheuerman Brian Schmidt Megan Senter Pauline Sexton Lahonda Sharp Justin Shen Benjamin Shively Hope Shiver Tara Sikon Kathy Skinner Bonnie Smith Coretta Smith Krystal Smith lorrie Smith Rheagan Smith Amy Solberg Brandi Spybuck JLonnie Stafford Zach Steele Stefanie Stephens Morris Stevens Sean Stultz Jessica Swenn Shane Swenn

Jessica Taber Randy Talley Crystal Tamaren Emory Tanner Karen Tanner Leslie Tanner Kevin Tarpley Neena Taylor Travis Taylor Erin Thelen Karen Thomas Shelby Thomas Chris Thomasson Joanna Thomasson Mary Jane Thornton Sandra Toller Victor Toruno Jennifer Tucker Heather Turk Richard Douglas Vandertulip Amanda VanZandt Will Varner Colin Varville Sally Vasquez Avary Vaughn Brandi Veatch Scott Vernon Hailey Vestal Margaret Villanueva Erin Wagner Alicia Walker Sandra Walker Matt Wallace Rachel Wallace Mike Ware Mitchell Washington Mark Watt John Wayman Jolene Webster Stephen Weed Judy Welch Lydia West Lisa Wheeler Michelle White Rosemary Whittle Elizabeth Wiley Kenneth Williams Mary Williams Maurice Williams Kasey Wilson James Winslow Victoria Wolf Abby Wood Matthew Woodward Mykle Wright Reginal Wright Ashley Yarbrough

TCDA Scholarship funds given in memory of Michael O’Hern

Thank you for Supporting the Future of Choral Music 8

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

The Power of Music to Heal

by Paula D’Arcy Reprinted with permission of Paula D’Arcy, from Fall 2012 issue of Texas Sings!

Even though many years have passed, if I close my eyes and move back in memory to August 1975, strong images remain.

One moment I was traveling in a car with my husband and our 22-month old daughter, Sarah, returning from a weekend visit with my parents. I loved everything about my life, including the fact that I was three months pregnant with a second child. In the next second a white car thundered out of control and flew across the divided interstate, a drunk driver at the wheel. It was like being in the vortex of a great storm. No time to think. No way to process the power of the darkness that was about to descend.

Everything shattered at once.

When I opened my eyes an emergency room physician leaned toward me with grave concern. My unborn child and I miraculously survived, but everyone else was gone. It felt as if the life I’d known had been swallowed by a rogue wave. Pain swept in with that tide and tore everything apart.

There was little wise counsel for the journey ahead. I was 27 years old, young and idealistic, and not equipped to deal with this forceful meeting with life and its shocking brevity. Where are the real teachers, I wondered – the ones who might have cautioned me to take nothing for granted? I who loved words could not be soothed by words, no matter how well meant. Even though I was alive and able to open my eyes and look around, still, I was lost to myself. “This is what it means,” writes author Amy Hempel, “to live the details of your life.” She understood.

In college, when I studied human anatomy, we viewed diagrams that pictured the way sound enters the body through the delicate mechanisms of the ear. None of the texts spoke of music or mentioned a possible relationship between healing, music, and pain. But now, I began to make that connection.

Weeks passed, and I noticed that when I listened to certain music it momentarily lifted the darkness, or at least held it in such a way that the music reached right through the pain and calmed me.

The music touched places that my mind couldn’t access.

Each healing journey has its own timetable, and mine felt agonizingly slow and deliberate. Everything I’d previously relied on had changed and I was filled with questions: What is this journey? Is there something more than the events that fill the surface of our lives? One night I pulled out a Barry Manilow album and put it on. The Manilow lyrics and notes reached into me that night: Just One Voice/ Singing in the darkness/ All it takes is One Voice…

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Music became a vehicle. It contained none of the judgment that always seemed to accompany advice; it simply helped me feel what I couldn’t express, and led me inward. My softened heart began to open, and I wrote about my progress in a journal: I’ve joined a church choir. I told the choir conductor that I am seeking the fellowship and joy of choral singing. I really want to heal my life, but I could never have said that without sobbing. Now every Wednesday evening I arrive at choir practice and there’s a different arrangement to learn. Harmonies. The blend of voices. The beauty and power of Handel and Bach. Requiems. They move right through my fear and confusion, carrying me into the mystery of being here at all. I see that I am hardly the only person who suffers. I’ve stopped asking, “why me” and begun to ask, “Who might I be, past this heartache?”

The little family of the choir accepted me without question.

And when I sang, the stories I’d been telling myself about pain and loss fell away. I remembered what it was like to know beauty, and in time a deeper song of hope became audible. Geraldine Brooks writes, “[Loss] is the unwelcome current that forced you to an unintended harbor. But here, perhaps, the vessel lies that will carry you onward to the place where you were always meant to go.” (Caleb’s Crossing) Sometimes I imagine life as the beginning of a great concert, and picture the way a conductor’s raised hand brings the choir to attention. The raised hand is followed by a forceful moment of no sound – the anticipation before the downbeat. In that quiet moment, the music lives in anticipation both in the minds and hearts of those about to sing and those who will listen.

Somewhere in the audience are persons who hurt the way I was hurting. These individuals privately wonder if they can make it through the day. Everything stands still. Then the conductor’s hand moves, a simple gesture, and with the first note love and healing are set in motion – the sheer miracle of it all. The choir picks up their music and begins to sing. All it takes is one voice.

Paula D’Arcy is a writer, retreat leader and speaker who travels widely in the U.S., Canada and abroad. She is also president of the Red Bird Foundation, which supports the growth and spiritual development of those in need and furthers a ministry both to those in prison and those living in third world or disadvantaged cultures.

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Impossible Ideal

by Jeff Rice, TCDA Past President 2011-2013 Is it possible to achieve the ideal balance in our lives? Does our all-consuming profession as a choral director invade our home/ family life? Living life as a choral directing team and married couple for over 30 years, including 27 years parenting and 17 years working together at the same school, has made for an interesting and challenging balancing act.

Currently in our 18th year of co-teaching at Midway HS in Waco, Jannifer and I have lived and raised our children in the same community where we teach. Our lives are intertwined with countless former and current students and their families, making it difficult to assess whether we have achieved this “balance” in our lives. The line between our work and non-work lives is ridiculously blurred. By most standards of “balance”, we have probably failed miserably. However, we have survived this crazy arrangement and are still married and loving our jobs. More importantly, we have three wonderful grown children who are employed and successfully “adulting.”

There have been many lessons learned, sacrifices made, and fulfillment and joy experienced along the way. This model would not work for everyone, but we have lived this life while loving our family, friends, and jobs along the way. Of course, we have to add that Midway HS is a dream place to teach and we are beyond blessed to have landed here.

We do not have all the answers, but here are some thoughts that have successfully guided us through the years.

Family First - We do our best to give each other and our own children our love and attention before we give it to our students.

Early on, the multitude of required choir activities threatened to take time away from our family. For many years our solution was to take our kids with us wherever we went or one of us would stay home with them. Yes, there were many times they went to the grandparents’ house for some TLC when we were in a busy season. Weekends, holidays, and summer break were great times to catch up on quality time together. Though we do not have official “date nights” as a couple, we do spend time together going out to dinner, taking long walks, going to a movie, traveling, Netflix nights at home, etc.

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Leave it at the Office - We fail at this more than we succeed.

Being a choral music director is not a regular job. It is an identity that we live and breathe 24/7. However, there must be times when you are not thinking about your job. Read a book, watch TV, attend a play, have dinner with friends, go to church, Jeff Rice go for a walk, take a weekend getaway trip, take up a hobby – do something to take your mind off of work or you will burn out. Hopefully, we all love our jobs and feel a sense of calling to this profession. However, there must be some time that we are not dwelling on work-related issues.

Focus on Others - There is no better way to give life meaning and take your mind off your troubles than to turn your attention toward others. Take time to really listen to that student, friend, or colleague who is talking to you when you don’t have time.

Give them your undivided attention and respond with compassion and understanding. Look your students in the eyes and see them as sons and daughters of parents like yourself. Be present and available for all of them.

Relationships – Music is about relationships – besides the obvious musical relationships of melody/harmony, pitch/rhythm, conductor/choir, etc. -- we cannot be balanced and successful in our lives and careers without relationships with others. We are blessed with a tremendous and invaluable professional network of fellow choral directors. However, try to develop and nurture friendships with people in other professions. Ask questions about what they do and try to learn more about them. Also, strive for positive relationships with your students and colleagues by initiating a conversation, giving them a high five, smiling at them, making eye contact, or telling them you appreciate their hard work.

Balance is a precarious position. The weights of work and nonwork shift back and forth many times each day. Hopefully, the overall result of our efforts is an overall “balanced” life.

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

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The official publication for TCDA, Texas Sings! serves over 1600 choral directors in Texas and represents elementary, middle school, high school, college and church. Advertising supports our publications! Choral Directors and Exhibitors, consider advertising choral programs and events, summer camps and tours, and showcase educational tools, resources and products to Texas decision-makers. Texas Sings! is published in May; in July; and in late October.

Be a Convention Sponsor!

Exhibitors, we connect you and your customers! Increase your exposure outside the Exhibit Hall. Set your company apart from competitors. Build brand recognition with TCDA directors.

Sponsor an event or activity at Convention, and reach more directors.

Ask us about advertising and sponsorship, or other ways you would like to support TCDA. We appreciate our Advertisers and Sponsors!

Call us at 512-474-2801 for more information, or visit us at www.tcda.net

A Big Thanks to Exhibitors TCDA has existed over 62 years due to the consistent support of our exhibitors. Your support and patronage enables us to offer our members a quality convention every year. TCDA is grateful for your continued support. Thank You!

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TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Benefits For TCDA Members TCDA Membership Year is January 1 - December 31. Membership opens December 1, 2017.

Renew or Join TCDA at www.tcda.net to receive benefits for the entire year!

TCDA offers these benefits to current members: • Annual Convention every July. Experience world-class workshops, reading sessions, performances, continuing education credits, and an exciting, fun-filled exhibit hall.

• Session Handouts available on website after convention.

• Three annual publications: Fall, Spring, and On-Site at Convention • Choral Notes: On-line newsletter sent monthly • Regionally Acclaimed Awards: Given yearly for Young Director of Distinction, Choral Excellence, and Choirmaster • Job Board: find and post jobs • On-line Member Directory • Financial Planning, Health Plans, Dental, Long Term Care, Life Insurance. Contact Dan Samuel at 512-659-7101 or email dan@america-grp.com • Legal Assistance and Identify Theft Protection through LegalShield. Go to www.jschlegel.legalshieldassociate.com or call 512-656-8569.

Geographic Distribution Of All Current Texas TCDA Members Region Comparisons:

2017 2016

DFW Region 38% 34% San Antonio Region 18% 15% Houston Region 30% 35% McAllen/Brownsville 6% 6% Odessa Region 3% 5% Lubbock 5% 5%

NOTE: members residing in smaller cities are grouped with closest major city.

Out-of-state attendees are not required to be TCDA members.

Map does not include out-of-state members who DO hold memberships.

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

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2017 Third Quarter TCDA Financial Report Scholarship Report

Revenue & Expenditures

as of September 30, 2017

Scholarships Beginning Balance, 1/1/2017 Contributions to 9/30/17 Awards Paid Adjustments*

Scholarship Balance, 9/30/2017

Scholarships funded by: Abbott IPCO Gandy Ink

*investment interest & golf net profit

January through September 30, 2017

172,079.39 23,385.80 (16,500.00) 13,766.00 192,731.19 500.00 1,000.00

Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2017

Current Assets Checking/Savings Bank of America, Checking Petty Cash Total Checking/Savings Other Current Assets Accounts Receivable, Gen Accounts Receivable, NSF Accts Rec, Magazine Lincoln Financial Investments Prepaid Exp, Bulk Postage Prepaid Exp, Convention Scholarships Total Other Current Assets

1,200 288 900 140,008 103 500 192,731 335,730

Total Current Assets

473,988

Fixed Assets Depreciation Reserve Fixed Assets, Electronics Office Furniture/Equipment Total Fixed Assets

-26,155 15,822 17,640 7,307

138,208 50 138,258

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

45 -871 -6,914 3,164

Total Liabilities

-4,576

Equity Net Assets, Restricted Opening Balance Equity Net Income Total Equity

192,731 224,721 68,419 485,871

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 481,295

14 TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

429,961

150,756

Convention Expenses Advertising/Promo Audio/Visual Child Care Contract Labor Decorating Facilities Rents Functions Golf Tournament HS Day Expense Photography Piano and Organ Rentals Printing, Supplies, Misc Security & First Aid Student Assistants Technology Total Convention Expenses

1,212 25,669 1,350 1,128 15,328 22,148 30,755 1,761 4,867 2,469 2,760 2,335 2,732 844 9,258 124,616

Directors Chorus Expenses

Current Liabilities Other Deferred Credits Sch Payable, Bank of Amer Sch Payable, Lincoln Fin Soc Sec/Medicare, FICA

1,925 89,849 2,790 10,270 29,917 5 720 177,383 720 3,460 7,421 324,429 7,852

Total Administrative Expenses

Church Service Expenses

481,295

6,410 76,197 232 12,411 2,400 97,650

Convention Income Directors Chorus Exhibit Rents Golf Tournament High School Day Honor Choir Income Member Souvenirs Miscellaneous Income Registration Fees Showcases Sponsorship Sustaining Dues Total Convention Income Publications Advertising Income

TOTAL INCOME EXPENSE

ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

INCOME

Operating Income Collection Fees, ACDA Membership Dues Royalties/List Sales Investment Income Shared Office Income Total Operating Income

Honor Choir Expenses Other Program Expenses Commissioned Work Scholarship Donation Total Other Program Expenses

750 4,364 18,176 2,010 929 2,939

Directors’ Expenses Board Meals Meetings Expenses Ofc Supplies/Postage Travel, Directors Total Directors’ Expenses

8,060 100 680 23,243 32,083

Publications Expenses

23,832

Technology

TOTAL EXPENSES NET INCOME

4,026

361,542 68,419 TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017 14

In Memoriam The TCDA staff requests your help in recognizing our departed colleagues. If you are aware of a death of a colleague, please go to www.tcda.net and enter the required information. Unfortunately, we are not able to include non-members in our printed recognition; however, we will remember all of our departed colleagues at our annual TCDA Convocation.

Thank you.

Robert Booth Buchanan January 23, 1927 – June 21, 2016 Robert Booth (Bob) Buchanan spent most of his adult life (61 years) teaching music to the children of Brownsville and promoting fine arts in his community.

Bob taught in Hillsboro and Van, Texas, before moving to Brownsville in 1954.

He taught music at Cummings Middle School and Texas Southmost College until he became the choir director at Brownsville High School in 1960. He retired from teaching in 1991 with 40 years of experience. Bob married Ann Adelaide Anderson in 1967, and the Brownsville Boy Choir, which they organized and directed for 15 years, sang at their wedding. TCDA had the privilege of speaking with Ann and Bob for the 60th Anniversary issue of Texas Sings! Ann credited TCDA for bringing them together, as they met through workshops at TMEA and TCDA. Bob served as Third Vice President of the TCDA Elementary Division and Vocal Division Chairman and All-State Choir organizer for TMEA. Bob is survived by his wife, Ann, three children, seven grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Karen Mayberry January 6, 1953 – June 11, 2017 Karen Mayberry served as the Choir Director for Little Elm High School in Little Elm, TX, where she taught for over 19 years. Karen was quoted as saying this about her experience at Little Elm ISD: “It is fulfilling and always rewarding to see a student’s confidence grow as they experience success in performing.”

Karen’s love of music inspired many and will live on through the lives she touched with her many years of teaching. When Karen first began at Little Elm, she worked with students in grades K-2 in the Primary School which later became Zellars. After that, she taught grades 3-6 at Brent Elementary School, and when Brent and Powell became 5-6 grade campuses, Karen taught at those schools.

She also taught middle school and then finally she taught at Little Elm High School. Karen’s death generated many memorials from her students, including “she was a teacher who always had a smile on her face”, an “amazing teacher, friend, and person”, and a teacher who “left a footprint in all of her students’ lives.” Karen performed for ten years with the Dallas Opera and taught private voice and piano lessons. She was also the organist at a church in Irving, Texas. Karen is survived by her three children, Michael Mayberry and his wife, Kemeka; James Mayberry and wife, Samantha; and Melissa Dewlen and husband, Seth.

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TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Memories From The 2017 Convention I was honored to share my love of contemporary A cappella with the Texas choral community as a clinician. Teaching to your colleagues really makes you rise to a different level. Prepping for the class helped me focus on what is essential and important in my daily routine and planning. And I know it sounds like every basic teacher’s raison d’etre, but seeing the lights start to fire up in the eyes of the attendees during the improvisation and vocal percussion work made my soul smile.

Matt Woodward, TCDA Clinician 2017 Choir Director, MacArthur High School NEISD, San Antonio

This is my second year teaching in Texas. I was formerly a member of Kansas CDA where their convention is pretty small. TCDA is like a mini-TMEA and it has perfect timing. July is right when I start thinking about what I need for my kids in the upcoming year. The exhibits provide great materials to purchase (I always spend too much money), plus you get enough free pens and pencils to last the whole year! I particularly enjoyed the elementary focus this summer. This was my second time at TCDA, but my first as an elementary teacher (formerly middle school). The sessions on children’s literature, mixed with singing and movement, provided great kid-friendly ideas that were simple enough to add to my current teaching plan, but were also packed full of teachable material that the kids love. The reading sessions are so beneficial, especially since you are singing with trained singers. You get to hear how a song should sound. I attended both elementary and sacred, since I am a church musician, and I found lots of pieces that were worthy of either category. The networking opportunities at convention are fantastic. Especially as a Texas transplant, TCDA provides many opportunities to get to know teachers from all over the state (and brush up on my Texas geography at the same time!).

I can borrow (steal) many ideas from people who may be sitting next to me in a session, such as, “I do this, but in this way....”

It is so neat to hear the different ideas on one simple topic.

Kelsey Scheuerman Travis Elementary School Goose Creek CISD Baytown, Texas

TCDA’s Convention always provides an air of comfort and allows me to grow and learn from others. It’s a solid network of hard workers who want to better the lives of their students. To be nominated by my peers and awarded TCDA’s Young Director of Distinction Award was one of the highlights of my entire summer. Convention always renews my educator soul and makes me grateful for a large network of caring individuals. This year’s convention, along with this amazing award, provided that and so much more. Thank you.

Jasmine Reed, TCDA Award Recipient 2017 Choir Director, Bayside Intermediate Region XVII Vocal Division Chair

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

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Memories From the 2017 Convention

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TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

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2017 TCDA Awards Choral Excellence Awards

Deidre Douglas Choral Director Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Dr. Stephen Holcomb Director of Choral Activities Dallas Baptist University

Texas Choirmaster Award

Sally Schott Music Education Consultant Schott Bradshaw Publications

Young Director of Distinction Awards

Betsy Clark-Howerton Assistant Choir Director Martin High School

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Jasmine Reed Choir Director Bayside Intermediate

Kenneth Sieloff Associate Choir Director Ector County ISD

TEXAS SINGS! • Fall 2017

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu Dr. David Rayl Mary McDonald

Ruth E. Dwyer

2018 TCDA Headliners Ruth E. Dwyer (Elementary Honor Choir conductor) is an internationally recognized treble and children’s choir specialist and Kodály educator. She served Indiana for 19 years as a public school music educator, and is now the Associate Director for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC), and Artistic Director of the Columbus, Indiana Children’s Choir. Dwyer has been a guest conductor for OAKE National Children’s Choir, for AllState and State Choirs, and Honor Choirs. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Philanthropy Through Song Choral Festival and the Hoosier Hills Choral Festival, and a guest conductor with MidAmerica Productions.

A published composer, choral arranger and editor of the Ruth Dwyer Choral Series, Dwyer is a consultant for Hal Leonard’s choral textbook series.

Mary McDonald (Church Division) is a lifelong resident of Knoxville, TN. A composer, artist and clinician, McDonald was the first woman President of the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference. She served as sacred music editor for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio for over 20 years, and now takes her tremendous passion and love for music making directly to churches as an independent artist. In demand in churches across the nation, McDonald serves as host for many top Choral Music Dealer conferences, where ministers of music gather to hear and bring back new choral music to their congregations.

Dr. David Rayl (College Division) is Professor of Music, Director of Choral Programs and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research at the Michigan State University College of Music. Under his baton, the University Chorale appeared at the ACDA national convention (2007), the ACDA Central Division Convention (2006) and the College Music Society national meeting (2002). Prior to joining MSU, Rayl held the same position at the University of Missouri-Columbia for 12 years, conducting the University Singers and Choral Union, and taught in the undergraduate and graduate conducting programs. Rayl is a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the U.S.

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu (Convocation Speaker) is Director of Choral Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. He previously served as the conductor of The Radio Choir from American Public Media and was the Assistant Artistic Director of VocalEssence. As a high school teacher, he was named Orange County Public School’s Teacher of the Year and received the Macy’s National Magic of Teaching Award. At Freedom High School in Orlando, he led his choirs in performances at state conventions of the ACDA and the Florida Music Educators’ Association. Wondemagegnehu has performed, presented workshops, and conducted honor choirs across the U.S., Canada, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Costa Rica.

Why Attend The TCDA Convention?

Let’s Count the Reasons!

• Learning Opportunities!

Interactive workshops taught by expert music educators; • New insights, information and techniques to improve your classroom instruction and program administration; • Valuable reading sessions for finding music; powerful performances; • An Exhibit Hall filled with music, software, attractions, retail and more!

• New Teacher Academy; • Connect with old friends and make new ones; • And Don’t Forget…

We continue to offer a 50% Convention Fee Discount for first-year teachers! And convention expenses are tax-deductible (fee, lodging, transportation and meals).

Consult IRS website www.irs.gov. Membership is not tax-deductible.

• Pre-register by July 1st and save $20 on convention fee; • Make hotel reservations prior to June 30th to receive contract rates; • Renew membership early to receive Texas Sings!

Pre-Convention 2018 Issue!

Don’t Miss the Convention July 26-28, 2018 . . .

ENHANCE TEACHING ENERGIZE

GET INSPIRED SHOP EXHIBITS

MEET FRIENDS

. . . Return Home A Better Teacher!