©2023 Ohio Music Education Association
Allied Organizations
OCDA Updates
Jeanne Wohlgamuth, President
Vocal Point A cappella group from Marietta High school in Marietta, Ohio at Burr Oak State Park for their summer camp.
Happy Fall! As the leaves begin to change and the air grows cooler, I am excited to welcome you back to a new season/school year. Whether you conduct a school, church, community, or professional choir, I hope that your fall season is off to a great start. I trust you had a restful summer and are returning with renewed energy and excitement for the year ahead.
I want to begin by reflecting on our summer conference and extending my heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in and supported the OCDA Summer Conference. It was a remarkable gathering filled with inspiration, learning, camaraderie, and lots of laughs. We were privileged to have an exceptional lineup of clinicians who shared their expertise and passion with us.
Dr. Julie Yu, Dr. Derrick Fox, and Dr. Kelly Miller delivered sessions that were inspiring, thought-provoking, engaging, invigorating, and educational. Their insights and techniques have undoubtedly left a lasting and invaluable impact. We are grateful for their dedication to advancing choral music education and for making our conference truly special.
This summer brought two exciting additions to the conference: an in-depth exploration of early music and a dedicated one-day middle school track. Dr. Matthew Bester presented a scholarly interest session and inspiring reading session, where he introduced both well-known favorites and some hidden gems.
Our middle school clinicians Sarah Santilli, Kelsey Burkett, Valerie Buckley, and Laurel Labbe were met with great enthusiasm: Their sessions included sight reading strategies, classroom routines, and tools for the director’s toolbox. All were engaging and provided valuable resources and strategies for working with middle-aged singers.
A heartfelt thank you to the performance groups and honor choirs that enriched our conference. Your performances added a vibrant and dynamic element, showcasing the incredible potential of choral music across school, community, church, and professional settings.
The highlight of this summer’s conference was the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award. Congratulations go to long-time OCDA member, Ben Ayling. Ben’s unwavering commitment to choral music and his outstanding contributions to our community have set a high standard for all of us.
Looking ahead, save the dates for the 2025 OCDA Summer Conference, scheduled for June 23-25. This year’s theme is “Optimize, Cultivate, Develop, Achieve.” While final details are still in progress, we’re excited to announce that Dr. Tracy Wong and Dr. Jamie Lercher will be joining us. Learn more about our clinicians at Tracy Wong's website and Baldwin Wallace’s profile.
I’m thrilled to announce that OCDA’s professional development committee is hosting an exciting one-day seminar designed for early-career choral teachers and college students gearing up to teach choir! Join us on Saturday, September. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Upper Arlington High School (1625 Zollinger Rd., Upper Arlington, OH 43229). The seminar features sessions on classroom routines, sight-reading, choir program management, and interactive opportunities to conduct rehearsals, practice error detection, and share resources. Attendees will leave with valuable ideas, resources, and a growing network of colleagues. Registration is just $20, and current OCDA membership is NOT required to attend. Secure your spot by registering at this link.
On behalf of the Ohio Choral Directors Association (OCDA), I invite you to join our vibrant choral community. Membership connects you with colleagues locally and nationally, providing the tools, support, and network to enhance your craft and inspire your choirs. We look forward to having you with us! Here’s to a successful year ahead—let’s create music that educates, inspires, and elevates every member of our choral community.