North Central Division Convention, Minneapolis, MN

The 2010 ACDA North Central Division will be held in Minneapolis, MN, March 3-6, 2010.

A Community That Sings! …will be the theme in March of 2010 as choral directors from across the upper Midwest gather in Minneapolis for the North Central Division convention.  Both a culminating event and a kickoff to an ongoing effort to bringing song back to our society, the convention will feature national and international leaders in the community singing movement.  Headlining the conference will be Alice Parker…the long-time voice for melody in America.  A second keynote will be presented by Britain’s National Ambassador for Singing, Howard Goodall.  The initial immersion day will conclude with two dynamic events…first, a public “SING”  where nine newly arranged folksongs by nationally recognized composers will be unveiled. Second, the evening will wrap up with a presentation and performance by Maarja Soone and the Girls Choir of the Old Town Musichouse from Tallinn, Estonia.  Convention goers will hear how the power of song in Estonia helped the country achieve independence from the former Soviet Union.

The convention will also feature fifteen performing choirs from across the division, and some twenty interest sessions planned by the Repertoire and Standards Committee focusing on bringing community singing back to schools, churches and civic groups.  Workshops and performances by Sweden’s The Real Group will include the NCACDA high school vocal jazz choir (Phil Mattson conductor).  A grand performance of a new oratorio by Eric Whitacre will be conducted on Friday night by Craig Hella Johnson and will feature two-hundred singers and several professional soloists,  accompanied by the fabulous St. Olaf Orchestra.  Two music in worship events will explore diverse avenues for singing as part of spiritual devotion.  Finally, the convention will conclude with the honors concerts conducted by Eugene Rogers (junior high/middle school), Elaine Quilichini (5th & 6th grade elementary), Robert Ward (high school men), and Josephine Lee (high school women).

The North Central American Choral Directors Association Division Convention will be an amazing opportunity for all who love our art to share singing in new and unique ways.  March 3-6, 2010 at the lovely Minneapolis Hilton with all major concert performances taking place at Orchestra Hall this convention is not to be missed

Applications for Choral Performance – available Winter 2008-09; due Spring 2009

Interest Session Proposals – available Winter 2008-09; due Spring 2009

Registration Information – available Fall 2009

Visit the North Central Division's web site.