New Hampshire Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association

We the People

Eastern Division Conference

Philadelphia;

Wed. Feb 10 -  Sat. Feb 13

Details well laid out.

Venues within 10 minutes walking

Shuttle buses available 

The busy schedule allowed flexibility and diverse programs, clinics, and exhibits.

Comments from our NH President about his experience to the Conference. . .

I had put in for Prof. D. time off to attend the Eastern Div Conference, back in August.  However as with many things, the school district decided shortly after Christmas that our Annual District Fine Arts Night would be the Thurs. night of Conference week!  This is one of those things that you have to/want to be there for.  I was only able to attend the Conference for Friday and Saturday.

What I did see and participate in was outstanding.  Friday I attended a Men's H.S. Honor Choir rehearsal with U. of Michigan Choral Director, Jerry Blackstone.  I also attended clinics on Warmups with Sharon Paul, Ladies H.S. Honor Choir Conductor, and I hosted a clinic with Marc Kaplan, a Middle School Choral Teacher in a small NY suburb.  Marc uses jazz improv to work with students and using a sample group from his school, gave quite a demonstration.

Friday night I went to a concert at Wanamaker's (Macy's) Dept. Store to hear the Bel Canto Children's Chorus.  This was a very good group with a program of motets and early works.  I also was uniquely able to visit the console of the famous Wanamaker Organ and to watch as the organist played his 7:30 recital, before hurrying to the Kimmel Center for the Friday night big concert, featuring Helmut Rilling conducting the Westminster Choir and Temple University Concert Choir in The Music of J.S. Bach.  A Sacred and Secular Cantatas were performed and the Bach Magnificat.  The Choirs were great and the orchestra and soloists outstanding.  It made for a terrific ending to a great day.  After returning to the hotel to unwind, I was invited to an open house by the Vermont ACDA delegation  at midnight, joined by the group of Ct. ACDA-ers, they all started in a group sing.

Saturday morning began with a breakfast for the Eastern Div. State Presidents with ACDA National Executive Director, Dr. Tim Sharp.  We discussed common issues and concerns. Tim told us about some exciting initiatives that are in the process.  I had first met Tim at the Leadership Conference that I attended in Oklahoma City two years ago, just after Tim was hired.  He is a very dynamic leader and truly has a vision that will carry ACDA into the future.

Saturday I spent time helping at registrations and then visited the exhibits again.  There were many interesting exhibits from music to travel, schools, equipment, fund raising,even Roland and Steinway were there.  There was something for everyone.

Saturday afternoon I had the privilege of hosting a performance by the Boston Children's Chorus.  This group is made up of students from Boston age 7 to 18 across cultural, religious, ethnic and social boundaries.  The director, Anthony Trecek-King is a very dynamic leader.  I had heard this group coincidentally on NPR broadcast of the Tribute to MLK.  I also hosted a concert by the York County Junior Honors Choir, directed by Donna Knott.  This group of about 60 is made up of students from 17 different schools and for this concert, had not been able to rehearse for 5 weeks due to snow and school cancellations...but they were fantastic.  Their poise in their matching gowns and tuxedo shirts and vests added to the elegance of their music.

Saturday afternoon also featured concerts by the Wellesley College Choir and the Washington Men's Camerata.  Both of these groups were inspiring in concert. The Men's group were from Washington and had not been able to leave Washington due to the storm but had arrived just in time Saturday to perform.  Some conference attendees commented that those from Delaware had to leave illegally as the state had been under "no travel" rules!

The final concert of the afternoon was the 5:00 concerts by the Eastern Division High School Women's Honors Choir and Eastern Division High School Men's Honors Choir.  Having stopped in to listen throughout the two days to rehearsals for the Men's, I was anxious to hear the final concert and I knew that the Women would be just as amazing.  The Men's Honor Choir featured a NH student, Jameson W. from Hampstead, NH.  He is a student of NHACDA member Claudette Macomber of Derry.

Both of the Honor Choirs were outstanding.  A recent journal article discussed the too frequent and unwarranted use of standing ovations at concerts.  The article pointed out that they were rare in the past, but concert etiquette has evolved to where almost every performance, anywhere, will get a standing ovation, diminishing the true meaning of this by a well deserving performance. After the Honor Choir performances, both received well deserved standing ovations.

Philadelphia was an experience that will impact me for a long time. The music, exhibits, networking, performances, and the accommodations all made for an energizing experience. 

As a New Englander I had to chuckle!  Philadelphia and the greater metro area, is not prepared to deal with the storms that they had.  Streets were still un-plowed after 3 days.  Sidewalks wide enough for 5 abreast were down to 2 people wide. 

I encourage EVERYONE to attend a Convention-either a National one, like next year's Chicago Convention or in two years, the Eastern Division Conference in Providence, RI.

Hats off and thanks to Lynn Drafall, Eastern Div. President and David Deitz, Conference Chair!