With the 2022 ACDA Eastern Region Conference, we “seek to create sound waves that travel further in different directions, fostering diversity and inclusivity in ways that RESONATE with more people. The concerts, sessions, and presentations will reflect the many different life experiences and realities of our members and those we hope will become part of our shared resonance.” (from the 2022 Conference Guiding Values) 

To that end we have expanded the kinds of opportunities and entryways for conductors and ensembles to be part of the conference. As in the past, there will still be “Auditioned Choirs,” but there are two new categories with distinct application and participation expectations within that Auditioned Choirs framework: SPOTLIGHT and CONCERT.

All choir applications will be made through the Submittable platform and are due May 15. The ACDA Eastern Submittable site will open for applications on March 22.

SPOTLIGHT CHOIRS: Celebrating the Process

Ensembles and conductors selected will be showcased in a 50-minute interest session that shares what is outlined in the application submitted.

The Spotlight Choirs initiative aims to bring attention to EXCELLENT work with regard to process or mission. This includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Choirs that have a mission (cultural representation, social justice, etc.) that is as important, if not more important, than their musical objectives.
  2. Conductors and choirs that want to share how they learn and progress without the pressure of the expectations of a typical ‘auditioned choir’ performance. Spotlight Choirs might be non-auditioned or operate under difficult or unusual circumstances. Nonetheless, conference attendees could learn from the processes, values, or narratives of these choirs, perhaps because they RESONATE with the Spotlight Choir’s circumstances. 
  3. N.B.: If you are a conductor looking to present an Interest Session using your choir as a demonstration choir, APPLY as a Spotlight Choir.

Spotlight Choir Application Information

CONCERT CHOIRS

Ensembles and their conductors selected will be showcased in a  25-minute concert performance.  

Application will follow a similar process to the one used to select “Auditioned Choirs” in the past.

Concert Choir Application Information

All choir applications will be made through the Submittable platform and are due May 15. The ACDA Eastern Submittable site will open for applications on March 22. 

A NEW ENTRY POINT: Nominated Choirs 

Concert Choirs or Spotlight Choirs selected without going through the audition process. 

ACDA Eastern Region wishes to expand the roster of ensembles that are part of our Boston 2022 conference. We believe that a more diversified conference requires identifying exceptional ensembles that have never performed at an ACDA conference and shepherding them through the application process. We are asking each state president and each Region R&R chair to identify ensembles in their state and to encourage those ensembles/ensemble directors to apply to perform at the 2022 ACDA conference. Furthermore, we are also expecting the presidents and R&R chairs  to NOMINATE ensembles. Nomination does not guarantee participation in the conference, but it does eliminate some of the audition and application requirements and fees and brings them for immediate consideration by the conference committee for selection. Those nominated should be choirs and conductors who have NEVER performed at an ACDA conference. In addition, special consideration will be given to ensembles and conductors from population underrepresented in ACDA. 

We invite ALL ACDA members to bring to the attention of their state presidents, ensembles who should be considered for nomination. 

SELECTION CRITERIA: 

Eastern Region leadership has endeavored to develop an adjudication process and rubric that we hope will better support the guiding values of our conference. With the goal of increasing transparency of the decision-making process, we share the new rubric here. 

With regards to repertoire, we would like to meet or exceed benchmarks conference-wide as recommended by The Institute for Composer Diversity wherein the program contain “…at least a minimum of 25-35% works by living composers; at least 15-25% works by women composers; and at least 15-25% works by composers from underrepresented racial, ethnic, or cultural heritages” and that “there should be overlaps between these categories.”

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Potential financial burdens should NOT stop conductors and choirs from applying. 

Choirs selected to perform at National and Regional ACDA conferences often represent similar socio-economic demographics, typically from communities where funding and support for attending a conference is readily available. When funding is significant obstacle to participation in the conference, thereby, there is  limiting what voices and experiences are part of the conference.  ACDA Eastern Region is committing to assisting with the financial burden of Spotlight and Concert Choirs’ conference participation, through providing counsel and support in the budgeting process, helping ensembles to access resources for funding, or by partially subsidizing funding (in collaboration with the state chapters). BOTTOM LINE: Potential financial burdens should NOT stop conductors and choirs from applying. 

All choir applications will be made through the Submittable platform and are due May 15. Here is the Submittable Application