NJACDA Summer Conference Booklet 2025 : simplebooklet.com

2SUMMER CONFERENCE 2025MEET THE LEADERSHIP TEAM............................................................................................3MEET THE CLINICIANS.........................................................................................................4READING SESSION APP INSTRUCTIONS..........................................................................5CONFERENCE MAP...............................................................................................................6WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6TH CONFERENCE SESSIONS..................................................7HONORS CHOIR SCHEDULES.............................................................................................8THURSDAY, AUGUST 7TH CONFERENCE SESSIONS....................................................10INTEREST SESSION DESCRIPTIONS..........................................................................11-12AUGUST 6 8:00AM - 9:00AM THAUGUST 6 8:30AM - 5:00PM THAUGUST 6 5:00PM - 7:00PM THAUGUST 7 8:00AM - 3:50PM THAUGUST 7 4:00 - 5:00PM THREGISTRATIONDAY 1: CONFERENCE SESSIONS & REHEARSALSDAY 1: HAPPY HOURDAY 2: CONFERENCE SESSIONS & REHEARSALSDAY 2: HONORS CHOIR CONCERT

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4SUMMER CONFERENCE 2025Chaequan Anderson is the Director of Middle School Choirs at Montclair KimberleyAcademy, Associate Director & Conductor Cantores at Princeton Girlchoir, and the Founderand Artistic Director of Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble. He has varied choral experiencedirecting school, community youth and children, and professional choirs. As a teacher andconductor, Chaequan has held positions with Trenton Children’s Chorus, and WestminsterConservatory, and has served as a guest conductor and clinician with ensembles inDelaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. He holds a Mitos Andaya Hart teaches undergraduate conducting, graduate choral literature, assistswith graduate conducting, and directs the Temple University Singers and Temple Voices.Prior to her appointment at Temple, she served as Associate Director of Choral Activities atthe University of Georgia where she directed ensembles in early music, jazz, women’s,chamber, and symphonic chorus repertoire. There she was awarded one of the university’shighest honors, the Richard B. Russell Undergraduate Teaching Award, and twice receivedthe Student Government Association Award for “Outstanding Commitment to Students and -stics (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021). She has given clinics and presentations on topics related to diversity in choralmusic and implicit bias in classical music, among other areas, at institutions across the United States, and in 2021delivered a lecture at Yale titled “Performance Practice: A linguistic Approach to Dialect Found in Spirituals.” At theYale School of Music and Yale Institute of Sacred Music, Barber serves as Associate Professor, Adjunct, of ChoralConducting and conducts the Yale Camerata. In addition to teaching graduate-level choral conductors and aspiringundergraduate conductors, Barber is developing a new initiative designed to prepare Yale students to work withyoung musicians on choral music in school and church settings.Dr. Felicia Barber served for the past nine years as Director of Choral Activities at WestfieldState University, in Westfield, Mass., where she led the Chamber Chorale, Gospel Choir, andUniversity Chorus and taught classes in conducting, choral music education, and pedagogy.Barber, whose research interests include effective teaching strategies, fostering classroomdiversity and incorporating equity and justice initiatives in choral curricula, and the linguisticperformance practice of African American spirituals, has contributed to such periodicals asthe American Choral Directors Association’s Choral Journal and is the author of A NewPerspective for the Use of Dialect in African American Spirituals: History, Context, and Lingui-Academic Excellence.” Andaya Hart served on the conducting faculty of the Westminster Chamber Choir withWestminster Choir College of Rider University and has served as a member of the judges panel for the InternationalA Cappella Festival in Leipzig, Germany. In 2010, she served as the clinician and guest conductor for the FirstKenyan Choral Directors National Conference hosted by Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya and in 2013 for the FirstBusan Choral Academy in South Korea. She has conducted various honor choirs and all-state choirs in Florida,Kansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and continues to serve as a national clinician, adjudicator and guestconductor for festivals.Bachelor of Arts in Music and Kodály Certification Levels I & II from Westminster Choir College, and a Master ofMusic in Choral Conducting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, The State University ofNew Jersey. While at Rutgers, Chaequan served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Rutgers UniversityGlee Club and Kirkpatrick Choir. Professional memberships include the American Choral Directors Association,National Association for Music Educators, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the NationalAssociation of Negro Musicians, & New Jersey Music Educators Association.

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8:30 - 9:15READING SESSIONCommunity ChoirsNICHOLAS HALLKahlil GuntherCollaborative Pianist: James LubranoREADING SESSIONWORLD MUSIC & SSAASHINDELL HALLAdam Good & Dr. Rachel CarlsonCollaborative Pianist: Lori Lynch9:25 - 10:10INTEREST SESSIONComposing & Arranging For & With YourChoirNICHOLAS HALLNeil GinsbergINTEREST SESSIONCollegiate Session: From Student toProfessional: Preparing for Grad Schooland/or Music Ed JobsSHINDELL HALLDr. Whitney Covalle, Dr. Heather Mitchell,Dr. Nick McBride & Lindsey Salamone10:20 - 11:05READING SESSIONHigh School & TTBBNICHOLAS HALLDan MalloyCollaborative Pianist: Jason VodickaREADING SESSIONChildren’s ChoirsSHINDELL HALLDr. Lynnel Joy JenkinsCollaborative Pianist: James Lubrano11:15 - 12:45HEADLINER SESSION #1 FELICIA BARBERSession I – A New Perspective on the Dialect Found in African American Spirituals:History, Context, & LinguisticsSHINDELL HALLCollaborative Pianist: James Lubrano2:05 - 2:55INTEREST SESSIONTrial By Fire: Thriving in the FIrst FiveYearsNICHOLAS HALLNic NoaINTEREST SESSIONWarm-Ups that Work: Building HealthyVoices in ChoirSHINDELL HALLBrian Murray3:05 - 3:50INTEREST SESSIONCollege/University Conductors RoundtableDiscussionNICHOLAS HALLJason VodickaINTEREST SESSIONSing, Play, Repeat: Vocal Warm-Ups,Rounds, & Canons for Developing VoicesSHINDELL HALLAlly Jurgens4:00 - 5:30HEADLINER SESSION #2 FELICIA BARBERSession II - A New Perspective on the Dialect Found in African American Spirituals:Recommendations & ApplicationSHINDELL HALLCollaborative Pianist: James Lubrano7SUMMER CONFERENCE 2025LUNCH: Trayes Hall B, Douglass Student CenterJOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR AT ON THE BORDER (51 US HIGHWAY 1). APPETIZERS ON NJACDA.OBSERVE HONORS CHOIR REHEARSALS

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9:00 -11:008th & 9th Grade SSA Rehearsal 1VOORHEES CHAPELConductor: Chaequan Anderson10th-12th Grade SATB Rehearsal 1WALTERS 240Conductor: Dr. Mitos Andaya Hart12:30 -5:008th & 9th Grade SSA Rehearsal 2WALTERS 240Conductor: Chaequan Anderson10th-12th Grade SATB Rehearsal 2VOORHEES CHAPELConductor: Dr. Mitos Andaya Hart9:00 -11:008th & 9th Grade SSA Rehearsal 1WALTERS 240Conductor: Chaequan Anderson10th-12th Grade SATB Rehearsal 1NICHOLAS HALLConductor: Dr. Mitos Andaya Hart11:00 -12:308th & 9th Grade SSA Rehearsal 2NICHOLAS HALLConductor: Chaequan Anderson10th-12th Grade SATB LUNCHStudent Lunch on OwnMORTENSEN HALL ATRIUM12:30 -2:008th & 9th Grade SSA LUNCHStudent Lunch on OwnMORTENSEN HALL ATRIUM10th-12th Grade SATB Rehearsal 2WALTERS 240 Conductor: Dr. Mitos Andaya Hart2:00 -3:008th & 9th Grade SSA Tech RehearsalNICHOLAS HALLConductor: Chaequan Anderson10th-12th Grade SATB Rehearsal 2WALTERS 240 Conductor: Dr. Mitos Andaya Hart3:00 -4:008th & 9th Grade SSA Final RehearsalREHEARSAL HALL 104Conductor: Chaequan Anderson10th-12th Grade SATB Tech RehearsalNICHOLAS HALLConductor: Dr. Mitos Andaya Hart8SUMMER CONFERENCE 2025STUDENTS LUNCH ON OWN: TRAYES HALL B, DOUGLASS STUDENT CENTER4:00PM HONORS CHOIR CONCERT: NICHOLAS HALL

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8:30 - 9:15READING SESSIONMIDDLE SCHOOLSHINDELL HALLJeron StephensCollaborative Pianist: James LubranoREADING SESSIONMUSIC IN WORSHIPREHEARSAL HALL 104Sarah Michal & Norma HughesCollaborative Pianist: Lori Lynch9:25 - 10:10INTEREST SESSIONInnovative New Choral Music: Repertoirefrom C4: the Choral Composer/ConductorCollectiveSHINDELL HALL Karen Siegel, Emma Daniels, & Bryan LinCollaborative Pianist: James LubranoREADING SESSIONJazz/A CapellaREHEARSAL HALL 104Luke WroblewskiCollaborative Pianist: Jason Vodicka10:20 - 11:20HEADLINER SESSION #3 FELICIA BARBERFostering Diversity in the Choral Music Classroom SHINDELL HALLCollaborative Pianist: James Lubrano1:00 - 1:45INTEREST SESSIONWinning Repertoire That Works Well for allLevels of High School & Middle SchoolChoirSHINDELL HALLLorraine Lynch & Patrick HacheyINTEREST SESSIONBeyond the Podium: Strategies for SustainableSuccess in Choral Music EducationREHEARSAL ROOM 104Libby Gopal, Kason Jackson, AlisonCaravano, Rebekah Sterlacci2:15 - 3:45HEADLINER #4 FELICIA BARBERConducting MasterclassSHINDELL HALLCollaborative Pianist: James Lubrano10SUMMER CONFERENCE 2025LUNCH ON OWN / OBSERVE HONORS CHOIR REHEARSALS4:00 - 5:00NJ-ACDA HS Summer Honors Choir Performance Chaequan Anderson, 8th & 9th Grade SSA Honors Choir ConductorDr. Mitos Andaya Hart, 10th-12th Grade SATB Honors Choir ConductorNICHOLAS HALLCollaborative Pianists: Francois Suhr, SSA, & David Malyszko, SATB RAFFLE AND GIVE-AWAYS: SHINDELL HALL

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11SUMMER CONFERENCE 20259:25 - 10:10Innovative New Choral Music: Repertoire from C4: theChoral Composer/Conductor CollectiveThis reading session will feature innovative recent works by adiverse selection of living composers performed in recent yearsby C4: the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective. Many of thefeatured composers are C4 members, and most identify asbelonging to a historically marginalized race or gender.Collegiate Session: From Student to Professional:Preparing for Grad School and/or Music Ed JobsDesigned for our collegiate NJ-ACDA members and emergingmusic educators, this session offers practical guidance onnavigating the transition from college student to professional.Topics include preparing strong graduate school applications,building an effective résumé, creating impactful demo lessonsand conducting/rehearsal videos, and excelling in interviews.Whether you're applying to grad programs or landing your firstteaching job, this session will equip you with the tools, insights,and confidence to take your next steps in the choral musiceducation field. Bring your questions—and your ambitions11:15 - 12:45HEADLINER: A New Perspective on the Dialect Found inAfrican American Spirituals: History, Context, & LinguisticsThe interpretation of a piece of music is dependent on severalfactors, which may include its melody, harmony, and rhythm.However, in choral music it is the text that serves as a definingcharacteristic. The pronunciation and interpretation of text iskey to understanding its meaning, as well as culturalinterpretation. One of the most persistent problems found inthe performance practice of African American Spirituals is itsdialect. This presentation will review the history of thelanguages and dialects that developed out of the AfricanDiaspora; discover the chief phonological features found inearly performance practice of spirituals. the Gesture:Conducting Strategies to Enhance Musicality.2:05 - 2:55Trial By Fire: Thriving in the First Five YearsFor veteran, new, and pre-service teachers alike, this sessionwill build upon tried-and-true methods for setting a successfulfoundation as a lifelong music educator. A plethora of items willbe discussed such as programming appropriate repertoire,warmup/rehearsal techniques, score study, recruitment andretention, and striving for work-life balance. Templates for alltopics included!Warm-Ups that Work: Building Healthy Voices in ChoirFostering healthy vocal production is the daily task of thechoral director. In fact, for many students, their choral directoris their only voice teacher. Through warm-ups, we can insist onbeautiful, healthy singing every day.College/University Conductors Roundtable DiscussionJoin us for an opportunity to connect with other college anduniversity choir conductors and discuss important and relevanttopics ranging from managing a choral program (recruitment,attendance and other policies, travel, student leadership) torepertoire (responding to the needs of your students, yourcurriculum, and your community) to personal development(continuing education, research, self-care). This session is opento those currently teaching at colleges and universities, thoseretired from college or university positions, and those aspiringto positions in higher education.3:05 - 3:50Sing, Play, Repeat: Vocal Warm-Ups, Rounds, & Canonsfor Developing VoicesExperience a lively session filled with vocal warm-ups, rounds,and canons designed for developing voices in elementary andmiddle school settings. Discover fresh ideas and techniques toenergize your rehearsals, support vocal growth, and inspire alove of singing through collaborative ensemble work. Attendeeswill receive ready-to-use resources in both digital and printformats. Come ready to sing, participate, and enjoy the fun!4:00 - 5:30HEADLINER: A New Perspective on the Dialect Found inAfrican American Spirituals: Recommendations &Application This presentation will follow up on the phonological featuresidentified as part of early performance practice in spiritualsand move to application in both historic and modern texts.Instructing teachers on how to employ these findings, using theInternational Phonetic Alphabet, to enhance the performancepractice of spirituals.HAPPY HOUR AT 51 US HIGHWAY 1. APPETIZERS ON NJACDA5:30

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12SUMMER CONFERENCE 20259:25 - 10:10Composing & Arranging For & With Your ChoirIn this workshop we will learn techniques for composing andarranging music for and with your choir. Exercises will explore:generating lyrics from prompts, compositional structures,improvising accompaniment, and approaches to notation toenable students to feel empowered to compose and revise theirown original compositions. Concurrently, we will analyze theelements of an effective choral arrangement and demystify thecraft of composition.10:20 - 11:20HEADLINER: Fostering Diversity in the Choral MusicClassroom This session will focus on ways that teachers may encouragediversity within their ensembles specifically with recruiting,engagement in cross curricular activities, as well as diverserepertoire. The session hopes to give teachers practicalstrategies for the classroom as well as a sample reading packetof repertoire that will strive to highlight underrepresentedcultures, styles, and composers.1:00 - 1:45Winning Repertoire That Works Well for all Levels of HighSchool & Middle School ChoirThis session will introduce choral repertoire that workssuccessfully for all different levels of high school and middleschool choirs from beginning to intermediate and advanced.These suggested selections are “winners” when choralprofessionals are not sure of the balance of the choir they willbe assigned, or perhaps starting in a new position, and justneed some repertoire that is sure to shine!3:00 - 3:50HEADLINER: Conducting MasterclassThis session will share recommendations for choral conductorsand educators specifically applied to the foundationalelements of gesture including facial affect, hand position,gesture, posture, and use of the left hand. We will use specificchoral repertoire from the week.4:00Beyond the Podium: Strategies for Sustainable Successin Choral Music EducationDuring this session, participants will identify challenges andopportunities in sustaining high-quality choral programs. Wewill explore strategies for fostering student engagement,community support, and professional resilience. The sessionwill culminate with actionable ideas that can be immediatelyapplied to their choral programs.The goal of the NJ-ACDA High School Honors Choir Is toprovide an outside of school ensemble experience foryour hardest working and most dedicated choir studentswho might not have had the opportunity to participatean NJACDA or NJMEA honors ensemble during theschool year. There will be varying ability levels, and ourguest conductors have been working hard to choosemusic that will challenge everyone.HS SATB HONORS CHOIRDR. MITOS ANDAYA HARTTemple University8/9TH GRADE SSA HONORS CHOIR CHAEQUAN ANDERSONGlassbrook VocalEnsemble

NJACDA Summer Conference Booklet 2025

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