Convention Countdown and All-Convention Sing!

Good afternoon, KCDA!

We are only three weeks away from what promises to be a FANTASTIC summer convention!  If you have not yet registered, it's not too late to join the fun. Please use these links to register, book your hotel, or get more information.

KCDA Sings with Andre!
Included in all of this year's fantastic upgrades and additions, we have a new Thursday evening event: The All-Convention Sing.  Following dinner on Thursday evening, the convention attendees will join the All-State Women's Choir and All-State Men's Choir to sing a collection of pieces under the direction of convention headliner Dr. Andre Thomas. The evening's repertoire includes:
The King Shall Rejoice (Handel), "Dixit" from Solemn Vespers (Mozart), "Laudate Dominum" from Solemn Vespers (Mozart), Like as a Hart (Howells), Selections from the Gospel Mass (Ray).

Please make plans now to join us for this fantastic evening of music-making!  And don't forget to register for the convention and book your hotel!

Looking forward to seeing you all in Topeka!

Tiffani N. Thompson
KCDA Webmaster

Accompanist Openings

The Basehor-Linwood School District is seeking an accompanist. The position - shared between the middle and high schools - is part-time, averaging 30 hours per week, with the option of increased hours during festival season and the school musical. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Wendi Bogard at wbogard@usd458.org, or to apply, please click here.

Bishop Seabury Academy (4120 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS) is also seeking an accompanist.  The position serves grades 6-12; hours are 1:30-3:30 MWF and 1:00-3:30 TTH, with increased hours as contest and concerts approach.  Scheduling flexibility and location make this a great opportunity for KU students.  For more information, please contact Margie Lawrence at 650.207. 8241.


---

Tiffani N. Thompson
KCDA Webmaster

LAST CALL! Registration Ends Tonight!

LAST CALL to take advantage of the Pre-Registration savings for this year's Summer Convention: Choral Connections. By registering before 11:59pm TONIGHT you can save 20-30% on your registration costs AND guarantee your choice of reading packets. Click Here to register now!

This year's Convention promises to be our best-yet, in an ALL-NEW LOCATION (The Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center), with internationally renowned headliners, fantastic performances, and reading and interest sessions for all areas.

A complete schedule can be viewed by clicking here: Schedule At-A-Glance

For more information, or to register, renew your ACDA membership, or book your hotel, please visit www.kansaschoral.com!

Tiffani N. Thompson
KCDA Webmaster

The Countdown Continues!

ONLY FIVE DAYS remain to take advantage of the Pre-Registration savings for this year's Summer Convention: Choral Connections. By registering before 11:59pm on June 1, you can save 20-30% on your registration costs AND guarantee your choice of reading packets. Click Here to register today!

This year's Convention promises to be our best-yet, in an ALL-NEW LOCATION (The Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center), with internationally renowned headliners, fantastic performances, and reading and interest sessions for all areas.

For more information, or to register, renew your ACDA membership, or book your hotel, please visit www.kansaschoral.com!

Tiffani N. Thompson
KCDA Webmaster

Pre-Registration Closes in One Week!

HAPPY SUMMER!!! (Or almost Summer, to those who "enjoyed" some snow days this year).

We hope that you've got plenty of fun and relaxation planned for your break, and that as part of it, you've made plans to join us for what promises to be our best-yet Summer Convention, with a new location, internationally renowned headliners, a new Thursday evening activity, and the inaugural performance of the Kansas All-State Men's Choir.

Already know that you're going to join us in Topeka? Take advantage of the Pre-Registration savings and guarantee your choice of reading packets by registering before Monday, June 1! Click here and choose the appropriate Pre-Registration rate.

Convention Highlights Include:

• A NEW LOCATION!!!  We're moving across town to the Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center to accommodate all of our exciting additions
• Headliners Dr. Andre Thomas and Eric Barnum
• Thursday evening's All-Convention Sing
• Reading Sessions for all levels, ages, and styles
• Interest sessions by Dr. Eph Ehly, Mary Lynn Lightfoot, Dr. Robert Bode, Dr. Michael Hanawalt, Dr. Mark Bartel, and Ms. Gretchen Harrison
• Performances by the Heartland Men's Chorus, the All-State Women's Choir, and the ALL-NEW All-State Men's Choir!

For more information, or to register or renew your ACDA membership, please visit www.kansaschoral.com!

Tiffani N. Thompson
KCDA Webmaster

Wichita Chamber Chorale Composition Winner

KCDA,

Please see the following announcement from the Wichita Chamber Chorale concerning the winner of this year's Kansas Choral Composition Prize.

Have a great day!

Tiffani N. Thompson

KCDA Webmaster

____

The Wichita Chamber Chorale is pleased to announce Geoff Wilcken of Lawrence, Kansas as the inaugural winner of the Kansas Choral Composition Prize. The announcement was made on March 27, 2015 preceding the Wichita Chamber Chorale’s spring concert at First United Methodist Church, Wichita. Mr Wilcken attended the concert and was presented a check for $1,000 by Roger Eastwood, Wichita Chamber Chorale President, and Lori Supinie, Owner and President of Senseney Music.
Music scores were submitted anonymously to a panel of judges which consisted of Dr. Dean Roush, Wichita State University; Dr. Leonard Enns, University of Waterloo; Dr. Deanna Joseph, Georgia State University; and Robert Simpson, Houston Chamber Choir. The applicants showed clear and verifiable ties to Kansas by being a native Kansan or a current resident, or by being a student studying at a Kansas institution.
Geoff Wilcken is an active composer, conductor, organist, and pianist, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in composition at the University of Kansas. He began his study of composition in 1982 under Drs. Jeffrey Prater and Gary White, both of Iowa State University. He won the Music Teachers National Association composition competition in 1985 and again in 1986. Geoff completed a Bachelor of Music degree at Iowa State University in composition (1995), and subsequently finished his Master of Music degree in choral conducting under Simon Carrington at the University of Kansas (1998).
The winning composition will be performed by the Wichita Chamber Chorale during the 2015-2016 concert season. Dr Mark Bartel is Artistic Director and Conductor of the Chorale. The news release and photo is featured on the Wichita Chamber Chorale website, www.wichitachorale.com. The KCCP winner will be announced in the Chorus America publication Voices, the Kansas Choral Directors Association publication Choral Range, and other various media outlets.
The Wichita Chamber Chorale is a 501(c)3 nonprofit performing arts organization in its 37th season. Roger Eastwood is President of the Wichita Chamber Chorale. Senseney Music, Inc is located in Wichita and is a full- service retail music store. Lori Supinie is Owner & President.

The only program of its kind in the state of Kansas, this initiative was founded by the Wichita Chamber Chorale and co-sponsored by Senseney Music, Inc. The Kansas Choral Composition Prize (KCCP) fosters original choral music of the highest quality, with the intention of giving the winner(s) a high-profile performance of their work by the Wichita Chamber Chorale, in addition to a monetary prize.

Artistic Staff
Dr Mark Bartel,
Artistic Director and Conductor
Steve Bixler,
Personnel and Stage Manager
Julie Warkentin, Accompanist

Board of Directors

Advisory Board

Roger Eastwood, President Matthew Hanne
Bill Loyd, Secretary
Adam Manlove, Treasurer

Debbie S Hall Wyatt Sheeder Mark Simmons Dr Charles Turley Anna Uhlig

Dr Rodney Miller
Dr Pina Mozzani Thomas Rhoads, Esq Dr Michael Pohlenz,

Bob Scott Denny Senseney Vern Zielke

Music Director and Conductor Emeritus 

All-State Choir Forms Due!

Good afternoon, KCDA! 

I hope that you are all surviving contest season.

Congratulations to all of those who had students selected to perform as part of the KCDA All-State Women's Choir or the all-new All-State Men's Choir.  More than 170 students were selected to be part of these ensembles; they represent 27 schools and organizations from around the state of Kansas.  More information can be found on the KCDA website at www.kansaschoral.com.

Just a reminder to directors of these students that the medical form, liability waiver, acceptance letter, and $45 participation fees are due to the respective directors.  These items must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 24 to:

Men's Choir
Jake Narverud
1771 N. 1500 Rd
Lawrence KS, 66046

Women's Choir
Amy Brown
Wichita Northwest High School
1220 N. Tyler Rd.
Wichita, KS 67212

Tiffani N. Thompson
KCDA Webmaster