Wednesday, June 10 through Saturday, June 13, 2009
(Download the Conference Schedule-at-a-Glance (PDF) to see the daily schedule of events.)

• Plenary Sessions
• Breakout Sessions - see also the list of paired programming of morning and afternoon sessions on specific topics
• In-Depth Seminars*
• Morning Sings
• Annual Meeting & Luncheon*
• Opening Night Reception
• Chairman's Reception
• Buttonholes
• Constituency Group Meetings
• Reception in the Exhibit Area
• Closing Banquet & Auction*

* ticketed event for an additional fee

Plenary Sessions

Elizabeth Streb is a choreographer and one of the boldest and most creative thinkers in the arts today. Once called the Evel Knievel of dance, Elizabeth Streb’s choreography intertwines the disciplines of dance, athletics, boxing, rodeo, circus, and Hollywood stunt-work. She will share her thoughts about how choruses and other art forms can provide a service to a community such that voters, taxpayers, and consumers will consider it indispensable.

Streb has earned recognition for her attempts to challenge convention, including a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant and a Guggenheim Fellowship, among others. Streb's performances often take place at public venues like Grand Central Station, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Coney Island.

In 2003, she opened the Streb Lab for Action Mechanics (SLAM) in a former mustard company warehouse in Brooklyn, NY that she converted into a studio. Streb uses the space to teach community members some of her death-defying moves. SLAM is an open-access venue that models a new kind of artist-driven community institution. The doors of SLAM are never closed. Performances at SLAM are neighborhood happenings where the company's longtime fans from the high-art crowd mingle with the at-risk kids from the local public schools and their parents. (www.strebusa.org).

On June 2, Chorus America will release a wealth of valuable data in its Chorus Impact Study. The plenary session and Constituency Group Meetings will help put this research into action for your organization and for choruses throughout North America. You will leave with new ideas on how to make your chorus’s case for attention and support stronger than ever, which will be particularly valuable in the current economic climate.

Innovation expert Jim Rosenberg, vice president of National Arts Strategies, will help Chorus America delegates uncover what arts organizations need to do differently to survive in a fast-changing world. During this interactive plenary session, Rosenberg’s theme will be about creating a culture of innovation and understanding the barriers to innovation in choral organizations. With the economic crisis fueling fear about the future, he will take a pragmatic look at innovation and explore ways to understand change and how to navigate your environment.

In his role as vice president at National Arts Strategies—a leading provider of organizational learning and change programs for the arts and cultural sector—Rosenberg leads marketing, business development, and partnership efforts. He also serves as the seminar director for the NAS Leading Innovation and Strategic Marketing seminars, and leads research projects on arts management and the arts sector. Before joining National Arts Strategies, Rosenberg founded Workbench Consulting, a business development consultancy focused on mission-driven organizations. Among his clients were Chorus America when he helped Chorus America do market research that led to launching the new Singer Network. He also worked in product development, marketing, and consulting for over 12 years in the software industry, working with startup companies and Fortune 500 companies on new software and business reengineering efforts. Jim Rosenberg holds an M.B.A. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. (www.artstrategies.org)

Bernice Johnson Reagon will address the transformative power of traditional African American music and cultural history. Dr. Reagon has been a major voice for freedom and justice for over four decades. She describes herself as a "songtalker," who balances talk and song in the creation of a live performance conversation with those who gather within the sound of her voice.

Dr. Reagon is a composer, scholar, songleader, and producer who was born during the struggle against racism in America in the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. In 1973, she founded Sweet Honey In The Rock®, the internationally renowned a cappella ensemble that has been a vital and innovative presence in communities of conscience around the world. Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation.

In 2004, Dr. Reagon's composition, “Liberty or Death,” was commissioned by MUSE—Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir, in observance of the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in 2004. She is professor emeritus of history at The American University in Washington, DC.

Breakout Sessions

Throughout the Conference, there will be dozens of breakout sessions addressing a wide range of topics. Here’s just a preview—check back soon for more details including descriptions and speakers. Additionally, at this year's conference, we have alligned a number of morning and afternoon sessions to highlight sessions around a specific topic—please visit our Paired Programming page for more information. Program is subject to change.

Thursday, June 11, 10:45am-12:00pm

• Email Power Strategies for the Arts
  • Eva Flaugh, Patron Technology
• Chorus Governance Roles and Responsibilities
  • David Styers, BoardSource
• Creative Choral Programming: Engaging the Audience
  • Anton Armstrong, St. Olaf College; Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence
• Making the Most of Media Opportunities: A Practical Training Session
  • Tom Hall, Baltimore Choral Arts Society and WYPR
  • Marcus Charleston, WYPR
    

• Opportunities for Choruses on Local and National Public Radio
  • Gayle Ober, American Public MediaMinnesota Public Radio
  • Marjorie K. Herman, Hopewell Valley Chorus and WWFM
  • Jill Pasternak, WRTI
• Jump-Start Your Accounting System and Understand the Financial Health of Your Organization
  • Jennifer Alleva, Your Part-Time Controller, L.L.C.
• Choral Music from the Jewish Tradition: Music You Should Know and How to Perform It Well
  • Joshua R. Jacobson, Northeastern University and Hebrew College
• Commissioning for the "Exceptional" Chorus—Building Connections via New Works for Singers with Neurological and Related Disabilities
  • Allison Fromm, Joyful Noise
  • Elliot Z. Levine, composer
  • Edie Hill, composer
  • Alice Parker, composer, conductor, eacher and Melodious Accord
  • Steven Sametz, composer and The Princeton Singers
  • Featuring: Joyful Noise
• A Poor Man’s Guide to Podcasting: How to Get Started in 60 Minutes for Under $100
  • Erik Baxter, Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State
  • Laura L. Sullivan, Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State
    

Friday, June 12, 11:00am-12:15pm

• Recruiting for Your Children’s Chorus
  • Rollo Dilworth, North Park University School of Music
  • Deborah Patel, Milwaukee Children's Choir
  • Barbara Tagg, Syracuse Children's Chorus
• Mendelssohn Club/David Lang/Leah Stein Dance Company: Arts Entities Working Together on a Brand New Work
  • Peter Rutenberg, Los Angeles Chamber Singers & Cappella
  • Alan Harler, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia
  • David Lang, composer and Bang on a Can
  • Leah Stein, Leah Stein Dance Company
• Low-Cost Technology: Tools for Administration
  • David Dombrosky, Center for Arts Management and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University
• Choral Music in The Academy: Preparing the Next Generation of Choral Conductors
  • Edith Copley, Northern Arizona University
  • Robert A. Harris, Northwestern University
  • Joe Miller, Westminster Choir College at Rider University
  • Earl Rivers, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
    

Friday, June 12, 4:15-5:30pm

• An Open Workshop with Bob Chilcott and the New Jersey Youth Chorus
  • Bob Chilcott, composer
  • Featuring: New Jersey Youth Chorus
• Collaborations Across Countries: Creating Choral Links Across the World
  • Cícero Alves, conductor and composer
  • Russell Shelley, State College Choral Society and Juniata College
• The Challenges and Opportunities of Programming Contemporary Choral Music
  • Nicolas Cleobury, Oxford Bach Choir
• Low-Cost Technology: Tools for Communication
  • David Dombrosky, Center for Arts Management and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University
• Fundraisers and Funders in Conversation
  • Janet Sarbaugh, The Heinz Endowments
  • Wayne Brown, National Endowment for the Arts
  • Olive Mosier, William Penn Foundation
  • Deborah Patel, Milwaukee Children's Chorus
  • Mary Ann Pulk, VocalEssence
    

Saturday, June 13, 10:45-12:00pm

• What Internet2 Can Do for You
  • Greg Palmer, MAGPI at University of Pennsylvania
• Connecting Your Community Through a Creative Choral Project
  • Eric Townell, Rochester Oratorio Society and Master Singers of Milwaukee
  • J. Andrew Cassano, Rochester Philharmoni Orchestra
  • James Harwood, Harwood Management Group Inc.
• Composers on Composing: On the Horizon
  • Bob Chilcott, composer
  • Andrea Clearfield, composer
  • Jennifer Higdon, composer
  • David Lang, composer and Bang on a Can
• Transforming Art into Educational Tools: One Chorus’s Effort in Developing Resources for the Classroom
  • Stephanie Cronenberg, The Choral Arts Society of Washington
    

How do you continue to develop your choir? Composer, conductor, and distinguished choral musician, Dale Warland will share his insights on auditioning, rehearsing, selecting repertoire, commissioning, and more. By presenting strategies grounded in decades of experience, Warland will help illuminate key concepts to create ever-evolving and artistically rich choral organizations.

Dale Warland has made an indelible impression on the landscape of contemporary choral music both nationally and internationally. During his time with the Dale Warland Singers, he shaped a vocal ensemble known for its exquisite sound, technical finesse, and stylistic range. From that platform, Warland not only mastered the traditional repertoire, but also commissioned 270 new choral works.

Warland's own compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by choruses throughout the country. Warland's appearances as a guest conductor have taken him to the podiums of the Swedish Radio Choir, Danish Radio Choir, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble, the Utah Chamber Artists, Vocal Arts Ensemble, Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, Rochester Choral Arts, and Israel's Cameran Singers, to name a few. Since the closing of the Dale Warland Singers organization in June 2005, Warland remains active as guest conductor, composer, teacher, and producer of choral programs for public radio.

Margaret Baroody is a singing voice specialist in the voice medicine practice of Drs. Joseph Sataloff, Robert T. Sataloff, Karen Lyons, Yolanda Heman-Ackah, Harvey Tucker, and Venu Devi in Philadelphia, PA. Widely recognized for her work with injured voices, Ms. Baroody is also a highly respected singing teacher who maintains a busy private studio. She has written frequently on the subject of singing, particularly with regard to the injured voice and vocal health. She is the author of over 25 published articles on voice, and a contributing author to numerous articles and books including Vocal Health and Pedagogy, Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care, Choral Pedagogy, and others. She is also a frequent lecturer throughout the United States and Canada on the subject of voice and vocal heath.

Joanne Steller is vice president for strategic communications for Target Resource Group, a data-driven marketing consulting company with arts and culture clients throughout North America. Steller leads TRG’s professional development and communications for arts and culture clients and industry service groups. Since joining TRG in 2000, she has managed consulting services for the company and has been lead consultant for clients nationally including dance companies (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Washington Ballet), orchestras (in North Carolina, Arkansas, Cleveland, and Tucson), opera companies (Austin Lyric Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Pittsburgh Opera), festivals and performing arts centers (Virginia Arts Festival, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, the Clay Center, the former Wang Center). Prior to TRG, she was marketing director for the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Steller last addressed Chorus America at its 2007 Conference in Washington, DC.

Have you been struggling with fundraising success? Are you embarking upon developing a new fundraising program? You will not want to miss this session. Derrick Feldmann, CEO of Achieve, will instruct participants on developing successful fundraising programs that will yield long-term support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. During this session, Feldmann will discuss the key characteristics of annual fund programs, corporate giving strategies, individual cultivation/solicitation tactics, and how to approach foundations for support. Participants will leave with a clear set of guidelines and resources necessary to develop their own fundraising programs and the skills to achieve long-term success.

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Feldmann holds a Master's Degree in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy. In 2001, he joined Learning to Give, leading the organization's external and fundraising operations and helping to guide its merger with THE LEAGUE in 2005. Immediately before helping to found Achieve, he was responsible for all major development programs at THE LEAGUE, including fundraising, external partnerships, and program management. Among his top achievements, Feldmann worked with senior leadership to secure a $6 million gift, negotiated an in-kind TV ad campaign valued at $1 million and reached a 200 percent increase in fundraising. In addition, he has led the development of international philanthropy projects, including programs in South Korea, Japan, and Bermuda. As CEO of Achieve, Feldmann provides strategic direction for the firm as well as counsel for nonprofit clients in the areas of corporate/foundation giving, strategy, and donor engagement.

Morning Sings

Leaders for Morning Sings on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be announced soon!
 

Annual Meeting & Luncheon
Sponsored by ECS Publishing

Join fellow chorus leaders for a celebratory lunch. The Annual Meeting & Luncheon will feature a presentation of Chorus America’s new chorus impact study, which builds on the information and discoveries of the 2003 Study and a keynote address by president & CEO of Kimmel Center, Inc., Anne Ewers. With a little bit of business and a lot of fun, this is a can’t-miss event!
 

In 2007, Anne Ewers became the president & CEO of Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, which is home to eight resident arts companies as well as Kimmel Center Presents and its Broadway Series. Known as a keen executive with an indefatigable spirit and enormous energy, Ewers is also an accomplished artistic director who has spent her entire career in the performing arts.

When Ewers came to the Kimmel Center, she began tackling the Kimmel's significant debt (almost $30 million), a portion of which was left over from the Center's construction. In addition to retiring that debt, Ewers has helped the Center meet its ambitious endowment goals and, on the operations side, has ended fiscal years with significant surpluses. She is an excellent fundraiser and a skillful administrator who knows what it takes to put great art on the stage.

Prior to coming to the Kimmel Center, Ewers was president and chief executive officer of the Utah Symphony & Opera. Prior to joining Utah Opera, her positions included general director of the Boston Lyric Opera and assistant stage manager at San Francisco Opera.

Ewers will talk about her experiences in helping to re-imagine the Kimmel Center’s role and will inspire us to think about our own possibilities—especially in these challenging times.

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Opening Night Reception

Following the concert with The Princeton Singers and The Crossing, the Conference kicks off with an informal reception on the rooftop deck of The Independence Seaport Museum with superb panoramic views of the Delaware River and the city skyline.

Chairman’s Reception (by invitation)

This annual reception is Chorus America’s opportunity to thank our most generous supporters. This year’s event will be held at the renowned Curtis Institute with stories about the unique building and its inhabitants from our host David Hayes, music director of The Philadelphia Singers and staff conductor at Curtis. Transportation will be provided between the conferencfe hotel and Curtis.

Contributors of $500 or more are invited to join us. If you would like more information about the reception or how to make a gift to Chorus America, please contact Catherine Dehoney at cdehoney@chorusamerica.org or 202-3341-7577 ext. 241.

Buttonholes

Do you have burning questions that you’d love to have answered by a chorus industry leader? Do you want insight that delves into detail beyond the Conference sessions? Sign up for one of our most popular Conference offerings: Buttonholes.

Buttonholes are 20-minute, one-on-one private consultations with leading industry experts including artistic and executive directors, foundation executives, arts consultants, and Chorus America board members, who volunteer their time to be available to our attendees. For more information about how buttonholes work, please see our About Buttonholes document. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis and spots fill quickly.

Buttonhole consultants for this year include:

• Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence
• Paul Caldwell, Youth Choral Theater of Chicago
• Bob Chilcott, composer
• Nicholas Cleobury, conductor
• Corty Fengler, San Francisco Symphony Chorus and nonprofit consultant
• Joshua Jacobson, Northeastern University and Zamir Chorale
• Tom Hall, Baltimore Choral Arts Society
• Donald McCullough, composer and conductor
• Alice Parker, Melodious Accord
• Janet Sarbaugh, The Heinz Endowments
• David Styers, BoardSource
• Barbara Tagg, Syracuse Children's Chorus
• Trudy Weaver Miller, Berkshire Choral Festival
• And many more!
  

Constituency Group Meetings

Throughout the Conference, there are numerous opportunities to connect with choral friends and colleagues. You’ll be sure to return home with an expanded network as well as new information and strategies for your organization. Structured and unstructured time for leaders of professional, volunteer, children/youth, and symphonic choruses as well as for board members, conductors, and managers are sure to stimulate great conversations and encourage new ideas.

Reception in the Exhibit Area

Wind down from the first full day's events with a wine and cheese reception. Visit with our exhibitors and browse the exhibit area with your colleagues.

Closing Banquet & Auction

After a departure from tradition at last year’s Conference, this year we return to our practice of ending our time together with a celebratory banquet. As we enjoy one another’s company before heading back home, the evening will also include Chorus America’s annual silent and live auction, when one-of-a-kind auctioneer Tom Hall, music director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, will be with us to lead the fun and the fundraising. The night will end with a very special performance by baritone Nathan Gunn!

Nathan Gunn has made a reputation as one of the most exciting and in-demand baritones of the day. Mr. Gunn has appeared in internationally renowned opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), Paris Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Glyndebourne Festival, and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels. His many roles include the title roles in Billy Budd and Hamlet, Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte, the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Ottone in L'incoronazione di Poppea. He also created the role of Clyde Griffiths in the world premiere of Tobias Picker's new opera, An American Tragedy at the Metropolitan Opera.  Upcoming engagements include two world premieres - Peter Eötvös' Love and Other Demons at the Glyndebourne Festival and André Previn's Brief Encounter at the Houston Grand Opera- his debut at the Los Angeles Opera as Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, and returns to the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Zurga in Les pêcheurs de perles and the Opera Company of Philadelphia as Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucrecita.

A distinguished concert performer, Mr. Gunn has appeared the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Münchner Rundfunkorchster, and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.  As a frequent recitalist, Mr. Gunn has also been presented by Lincoln Center's Art of the Song Series, the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, Cal Performances, the Schubert Club, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, the Vocal Arts Society in Washington, DC, the University of Chicago, the Krannert Center, the Wigmore Hall, the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, and recently made his recital debut at Zankel Hall in Carnegie Hall.

Mr. Gunn was the recipient of the first annual Beverly Sills Artist Award, and was recently awarded the Pittsburgh Opera Renaissance Award. He is an alumnus of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artists Program and was the winner of the 1994 Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition. In addition, he is also an alumnus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he still makes his home, and was recently awarded a professorship by the university.

More information on the auction