Time to Wear a New Hat

It is hard to believe my two years as the President of ICDA are coming to an end soon. I am very honored to have been given this opportunity. I have met and worked with so many new and wonderful people and musicians who truly love the art of choral singing and share it with others through their leadership and passion for music.  

Last fall, I encouraged you to try something new this year. I kept my promise and tried some new warm-ups with my choruses. The territory was a bit uncomfortable at first, but it has been well worth it. I hope you continue to find new ways to challenge yourself. Learning keeps our spirits renewed and our minds open. I also encourage you to get more involved with ICDA. There are several new programs and events we have started, and I have found in my experience as a person coming from another state, everyone is very welcoming. I love seeing and gathering with everyone at different events throughout the year, but my absolute favorite times are when we get to sing together.  It is heavenly. 

I would like to thank the board for their support and for helping bring some of our new ideas to fruition. Thank you Stephen Dean for the many hours you contribute to putting this beautiful and wonderful publication together. Thank you Jeshua Franklin for stepping in and making the transition from our beloved treasurer, Paula Alles, seamless. Thank you Jennifer Kitzmiller for all of your work with the All-State Choir and for your help with redesigning the website. Thank you Scott Buchanan, Kyle Broady and Matt Gerhard for leading us in song during the Beer Choir gatherings. Thank you to all of our repertoire representatives for putting together wonderful literature for our reading lists. Thank you Melissa Walsh for organizing and taking care of registration for our summer conference. Thank you Brenda Buchanan for your years of service with the All-State Jazz Choir. Thank you Dennis Malfatti for getting me involved in ICDA. Like many of us do for our craft, I am sure I will wake up in the middle of the night and remember someone else! 

Thank you for your membership. You are an amazing and talented group of people. I look forward to seeing where our new President, Melissa Walsh, will take us next. Again, thank you for trusting me to lead our organization and I hope to keep bringing some “new” until my term is completed this summer.  Keep singing, keep sharing and keep inspiring others.