September 2025 – New Beginnings, Global Connections, and Future Visions
September means fresh starts, full choirs, and a new season of possibilities! This month, Steve brings us highlights from summer conferences around the country, including reports from UMKC’s Choral Conducting Symposium, the New Jersey ACDA Summer Conference, and the 27th Annual Voices United Conference in Virginia.
We then look beyond our borders with Josh Habermann, ACDA’s Chair for International Activities, who shares insights into the International Conductors Exchange Program (ICEP) and its upcoming partnership with Portugal.
🎶 Our R&R Quick Pick is Until Love is Spoken by Karen Marolli, recommended by Jennaya Robinson—a powerful piece with a timely message.
🗣 Steve also speaks with Derrick Fox, president of Midwest ACDA, about the upcoming Midwestern Regional Conference in Milwaukee and its theme, Reflections of Us.
📚 In Check It Out in the Choral Journal, Steve highlights Eric Rubinstein’s article Rising Voices: Perspectives from Early-Career Choral Directors in Higher Education, featuring four inspiring young conductors.
In Did You Know?, we cover reminders about membership renewal, details on regional conferences, virtual reading sessions, and a call for research proposals for the 2026 Symposium for Research in Choral Singing.
We close with a heartfelt “Influence” story from Athena Mertes, honoring the mentors who shaped her journey as a choral director.
🎧 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to join the conversation in the ACDA Podcast Listeners group on Facebook.
📬 Got a story, event, or influence to share? Email Steve at acdapodcast@acda.org.
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LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:
ACDA website: https://acda.org
ICEP Participants: https://choralnet.org/archives/acda-news/2026-international-conductors-exchange-program-participants-selected-partnership-with-portugal
ICEP Info: https://acda.org/resources/icep
Repertoire and Resources page: https://acda.org/repertoire/
Virtual Reading Sessions: https://acda.org/archives/events/2025-national-rr-virtual-reading-sessions
Choral Journal: https://acda.org/publications/choral-journal
R&R Quick Pick: Until Love is Spoken, byKaren Marolli; https://www.ecspublishing.com/until-love-is-spoken.html
List of State Events: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SALL8kh_EkKydSdxjJEl0f0kFchLTtJrpMAxaqCsij4/edit?gid=893148961#gid=893148961
Regional Conference Info: https://acda.org/region-conferences
Children and Community Youth Retreat: https://acda.org/conferences/childrens-community-youth-choir-conductors-retreat
Symposium for Research in Choral Singing: https://acda.org/conferences/symposium-for-research-in-choral-singing