Distinguished Service Award
The OCDA Distinguished Service Award
This award is given to a person who is in good standing of the American Choral Directors Association. This person exemplifies a high standard of musicianship and professionalism and has a record of service to choral music in Ohio and to OCDA. Winners can come from any speciality, discipline and teaching level within ACDA.
Nomination Procedures
The Vice-President calls for nominations from the membership for the OCDA Distinguished Service Award each year in the fall. Call for nominations will be in the fall issue of the OCDA News or in an email to the membership.
Nominations are submitted using our online form should include the following information:
Name of nominee
Nominee's address (address, city, and zip)
Nominee's phone and email address
Nominee's areas of work: indicate Elementary, Middle/Junior High, Senior High, Two-year Colleges, College/University, Church, or Community
Nominee's years of experience
Statement in support of nominee
Your name, phone number, and email
Nominations should be submitted no later than December 1 to the Vice-President. The Board’s decision is made at the January meeting and the award is given at the summer conference.
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
John Leman - 2001
John Drotlef - 2002
James Gallagher - 2004
Richard West - 2005
B. Neil Davis - 2006
Richard Mathey - 2007
Hilary Apfelstadt - 2008
Maurice Casey - 2009
Craig Johnson - 2010
Ernest Hisey - 2011
Lucinda Houck - 2012
Tom Merrill - 2013
Gayle Walker - 2014
Wade Raridon - 2015
Eric Richardson - 2016
Mark Munson - 2018
Sandra Mathias - 2019
Kent Vandock - 2022
Peter Jarjisian - 2023
Ben Ayling - 2024