Ep. #16 - November 2025 (ft. Micah Bland and Bill Campbell)

<p>🎙️ <strong>November 2025 – Uplifting Voices and Honoring Legacies</strong></p><p>This month on the ACDA Podcast, Steve begins with a heartfelt reminder about the power of encouragement—how a few kind words can make all the difference in a colleague’s day. From there, we travel across the country and through choral history in another inspiring episode celebrating connection, creativity, and community.</p><p>🗽 <strong>Summer Institutes in Review:</strong> We hear from <strong>Joslyn Thomas</strong>, President of <strong>New York ACDA</strong>, who shares highlights from the state’s Fall Collegiate Conference at Nazareth University.</p><p>🎵 <strong>Check It Out in the Choral Journal:</strong> Steve welcomes <strong>Micah Bland</strong>, author of <em>The Life and Choral Works of Jester Hairston</em>, to discuss the remarkable life and enduring music of one of America’s great choral composers and arrangers.</p><p>🎶 <strong>R&amp;R Quick Pick:</strong> From the National R&amp;R Virtual Reading Sessions, <strong>Joy Hirokawa</strong> introduces <em>Three Quotes by Mark Twain</em> by <strong>Andrea Ramsey</strong>, performed by the Birmingham Boys Choir.</p><p>🌲 <strong>Guest Interview:</strong> <strong>Bill Campbell</strong>, President of <strong>Northwestern ACDA</strong>, joins Steve to preview the upcoming <strong>Northwest Regional Conference</strong> in Tacoma, Washington. With the theme <em>Sing for a Change</em>, the conference promises to inspire renewal and connection across the region.</p><p>📢 <strong>Did You Know?:</strong> Steve celebrates ACDA members named <strong>2026 Grammy Music Educator Award Semifinalists</strong>, shares conference travel discounts, and highlights new research exploring conductor health.</p><p>❤️ <strong>Influence Story:</strong> <strong>Evan Lane</strong> of Tidwell Choir in Mississippi pays tribute to his mentor <strong>Brad White</strong>, whose guidance and passion helped shape his journey as an educator and conductor.</p><p>🎧 Tune in on your favorite podcast platform, and join the conversation in the <strong>ACDA Podcast Listeners group on Facebook</strong>!<br>📬 Have a story or event to share? Email Steve at <a href="" rel="noopener">acdapodcast@acda.org</a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>ACDA website: </strong><a href="https://acda.org">https://acda.org</a></p><p><strong>Repertoire and Resources page: </strong><a href="https://acda.org/repertoire/college-and-university-choirs-repertoire">https://acda.org/repertoire/</a></p><p><strong>Virtual Reading Sessions:</strong> <a href="https://acda.org/archives/events/2025-national-rr-virtual-reading-sessions">https://acda.org/archives/events/2025-national-rr-virtual-reading-sessions</a></p><p><strong>R&amp;R Quick Pick: </strong><em>Three Quotes by Mark Twain</em>by Andrea Ramsey;  <a href="https://sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=892">https://sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=892</a></p><p><strong>YouTube video of </strong><em><strong>Three Quotes by Mark Twain: </strong></em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEWJTPsd-_k"><em>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEWJTPsd-_k</em></a><em></em></p><p><strong>Choral Journal: </strong><a href="https://acda.org/publications/choral-journal">https://acda.org/publications/choral-journal</a></p><p><strong>Regional Conference REGISTRATION:</strong> <a href="https://acda.org/region-conferences">https://acda.org/region-conferences</a></p><p><strong>Children and Community Youth Retreat:</strong> <a href="https://acda.org/conferences/childrens-community-youth-choir-conductors-retreat">https://acda.org/conferences/childrens-community-youth-choir-conductors-retreat</a></p><p><strong>Regional Conference Airline Discounts:</strong> <a href="https://acda.org/2026-acda-conference-travel-discounts">https://acda.org/2026-acda-conference-travel-discounts</a></p><p><strong>Musculoskeletal Interference and Injury in ProfessionalConductors Research Request:</strong></p><p><a href="https://choralnet.org/archives/acda-new