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Choral News

Phoenix Chorale

USA: Phoenix Bach Choir changes name to Phoenix Chorale (Phoenix, August, 25, 2008) – On the eve of its 50th Anniversary Season, the Phoenix Bach Choir has announced that beginning with the 2008-09 concert season the organization’s new name has changed to Phoenix Chorale. The change follows a two-year process of discussion and evaluation, and is intended to reflect the Chorale’s extended artistic breadth and to position the group for further expanding its international profile through a series of new recordings and tours. With the 2008-09 season, Artistic Director Charles Bruffy celebrates his tenth year conducting the Chorale. More: http://bachchoir.org/PhoenixChorale-NewN...

Isora Erickson dies at age 86 Soprano Isora Erickson, formerly Isora Iverson, sang lead roles for the Minneapolis Civic Opera, led a choral group of singing moms and used music to help children in need. Erickson, who in the 1950s founded and directed the Sounds of the Symphoknolls, and was a former director of the Pillsbury-Waite Cultural Arts Center in Minneapolis, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease on June 27 at her home in Prior Lake. She was 86. More: http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/25...

ACDA to Host National Convention in Oklahoma City The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) will host its 50th Anniversary National Convention in Oklahoma City, March 4-7, 2009. Over 4,000 choral directors, industry representatives, choirs and observers will gather for this biennial conference, using the Civic Center Music Hall and Cox Convention Center as anchor venues for the various events. Highlights of the 2009 National Convention include a city wide concert premiering the commissioned composition Cenotaph for choir and orchestra by internationally acclaimed composer Dominick Argento, a peace event for the city and convention attendees at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, performances from over 30 of the world's greatest choirs, and ceremonies and receptions to celebrate ACDA's 50 year history. The American Choral Directors Association began on February 4, 1959 in Kansas City, MO at the Music Teachers National Association National Convention. Thirty-five choral directors met with the purpose of establishing a national organization of choral music directors. The group succeeded and today ACDA enjoys a membership of over 20,000. The central purpose of ACDA is to promote excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publication, research, and teaching. In addition, ACDA strives through arts advocacy to elevate choral music's position in American society. The organization was first located in Tampa, FL under the direction of its first Executive Secretary, R. Wayne Hugoboom. In 1977, ACDA moved to Lawton, OK under the direction of then newly appointed Executive Director, Gene Brooks. With strong ties to the McMahon Foundation in Lawton, OK, Brooks secured land and a new building in Lawton that would serve the members of ACDA admirably for more than twenty years. By the late 1990's, ACDA had outgrown the Lawton building and in 2004, ACDA moved their headquarters to Oklahoma City to serve their spatial needs and to provide convenient access to the airport. The Headquarters is now located in the Arts District of vibrant downtown Oklahoma City, directly north of the Civic Center Music Hall. The organization is led by newly appointed Executive Director, Tim Sharp. Sharp came to ACDA after working in academic as well as music related business arenas. Most recently he was Dean of Fine Arts and director of choral activities at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, and prior to that position served in a similar capacity at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. He is widely published as a choral researcher, and participates in an active conducting schedule throughout the United States and abroad. Commenting on the upcoming 50th Anniversary National Convention Dr. Sharp observes, "Oklahoma City is the perfect choice for the celebration of our 50th anniversary. This unique convention gives us a chance to introduce our own International Choral Museum and other arts organizations of Oklahoma City to our membership, and offers us the opportunity to welcome our city to our new home." More: http://acdaonline.org

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New Resources

Czech Republic: Czech Choirs Association
Czech Republic: Unie ceskych peveckych sboru
Podcasts: 6. Interview with Christopher Gabbitas of the King's Singers
Charles Kaufmann (Maine, USA)
Why Dress rehearsals?
Brian Tate (BC, Canada)
Michelle Willis (Utah, USA)
Getting choral music: Koor&Stem online choral library (Antwerp, Belgium)
Lighted Conducting Batons (Wisconsin, USA)
Eric William Barnum (Washington, United States)