Fall 2024 Edition of the OCDA News Now Available
The fall issue of the OCDA News is now available for viewing.
In this issue:
Jeanne Wohlgamuth recaps our summer conference, and looks ahead;
Sarah Santilli discusses how to incorporate world music in your developing choir;
Sam Al-Hadid touts the value of vocal jazz for musical growth;
Tim Carpenter highlights last year’s recipient of the Distinguished Service Award: Ben Ayling;
Brandon Moss offers an update from the Standing Committee for Professional Development;
Stephen Caracciolo provides technical assistance in teaching true legato; and
Kent Vandock submits his annual Treasurer’s report.
Click the link and benefit from the expertise and experience of our choral colleagues!
OCDA Honor Choirs Survey
Please take a few moments and fill out this survey regarding OCDA Youth Honor Choirs. Your answers will allow the board to make decisions on best practices moving forward in regards to our Honor Choir offerings at thte Summer Conference.
OCDA Sets Up Grant Through Donation Funds
The Ohio Choral Directors Association has received a generous gift from the dissolution of Quire Cleveland, with the funds intended to support activities aligned with Quire Cleveland’s original mission. The donation aims to promote opportunities for Ohio singers to learn and perform a cappella vocal ensemble repertoire, particularly works composed before 1700. Funds may support public performances, workshops, masterclasses, festivals, and professional development for choral directors, including establishing new a cappella ensembles in underserved areas.
Usage of the funds will be overseen by the OCDA President, who, along with the executive board, will disperse the monies based on the merit of the proposal and alignment to Quire Cleveland's mission. A sponsorship application process will be available to OCDA members, with grants up to $2,000 per project. All approved projects must publicly acknowledge support from the Quire Cleveland Fund and provide a report on the project’s outcomes. There can be no modifications to the fund's guidelines.
Ben Ayling is the 2024 Distinguished Service Award Winner
Excerpted from Rich Schnipke's nomination letter.
Dr. Ayling’s direct service record to OCDA is wonderful. He has served on the OCDA board in many positions over the years, including president. As president, he established a board “contingency fund” that remains in place today, protecting the organization from unforeseen financial burdens. As retired director’s representative, he founded an annual golf outing to help provide scholarship funds for university students to attend the OCDA summer conference. He also encouraged young directors to become involved with OCDA and has made countless summer conference personal invitations and board membership recommendations. I honestly cannot remember an OCDA summer conference when Ben has not been in attendance and actively working for the organization.
While Ben’s direct OCDA board service is impressive, I think his greater contribution to our Ohio choral community is through is connections with people. Ben’s warm, welcoming smile and inviting personality have helped him become a friend and mentor to so many Ohio choral directors, including me. As a young teacher, he encouraged my natural talents and provided warm, constructive feedback for areas of improvement, always doing so in a thoughtful, kind manner. Even after his retirement, I have seen him continue this type of leadership/service to the profession by engaging with current early career teachers in the same way he did for me many years ago.
Dr. Ben Ayling has been an integral part of our Ohio professional choral network for over 30 years. He leads by example in a calm, caring, and engaging manner. He is a wonderful musician and conductor, a consummate professional, a caring mentor, and a warm friend. I highly encourage the Ohio Choral Directors Association to recognize Dr. Ayling with 2024 OCDA Distinguished service award.
OCDA News Archive Available
OCDA is proud to announce the introduction of the OCDA News Archive. Thanks to the efforts of OCDA Historian, Amy Gelsone and IT Coordinator, Eric West, OCDA News issues dating all the way back to the late 1960's are now available for viewing and downloading in PDF format.
Click here to access this new OCDA resource and peak back into what OCDA was and what it become over the past six decades.
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