KCDA 2025 Summer Convention Schedule at-a-Glance
Wednesday, July 9
12:00 - Registration (lobby of The Burge Union on the University of Kansas campus)
1:00 - Welcome: Information & Introductions
1:10 - Reading Session 1: New to the PML: Finding the perfect selections for State Large Group Festival can often feel like teaching sight-reading on the Friday before Spring Break! Whether you're building your program or refreshing your repertoire, this reading session is your launching pad. Join KCDA as we kick off the convention by sharing brand-new additions to the Prescribed Music List in voicings that meet you where you are: SAB, SATB, SSA, and TBB. You’ll leave with practical ideas, fresh music in hand, and a head start on festival season prep. Stay for the state approved bops and a little peace of mind before festival season — we found the good ones, promise. (Scott Hay, Elise Peterson, Chris Shaw)
2:10 - Clinician Session (Tenor/Bass Choir ): Warm-Ups for the Developing Choir: Choosing Habits, Building Musicianship, and Cultivating Choral Community (Dr. Maggie Burk)
3:10 - Reading Session 2: The Music of Scott Logan - Local Composer/Director to present a wide variety of music: pop song arrangements (a cappella and accompanied), winter/Christmas, original compositions, and newly published works (Ryan Main & Endeavor Publishing). Check out his repertoire here! (Scott Logan)
4:10 - Clinician Session (Treble Choir): Shaping a New Song, a brief survey of compositional process: Discuss the unique parameters and details involved in creating a new composition—from early sketches and/or commission dialogue, to the final premiere and publication release. (Dr. Howard Helvey)
5:10 - Reading Session 3 - Choose One:
Middle School Magic - Easy, Medium-ish, and “Are You Sure??” Repertoire Rehearsal hacks and magical modifications to tame even the fiercest octavos into middle school masterpieces. Perfect for Choir Directors, Future Music Teachers, and anyone who’s ever heard “What’s a dotted quarter note again?” for the 14th time in a week! (Jana Houston and Savannah Zielinski)
Sacred Music - Explore a variety of repertoire fit for programs of all sizes, liturgical and educational, ranging from new Gospel tunes to European cathedral anthems and everything in between (Dr. Lawrence Abernathy, Dr. Rayvon Moore, and Dr. John Paul Johnson)
6:00 - Dinner (on your own)
8:00 - Beer Choir - Join KCDA at Lawrence Beer Company (826 Pennsylvania St.) for an hour of harmonies, hops, and hilarity! Whether you're a pro sight-reader or just in it for the laughs, this is your chance to raise your voice and your glass. No pressure—just good music, great company, and one unforgettable night.
Thursday, July 10
8:00 - Registration (lobby of The Burge Union on the University of Kansas campus)
8:15 - Reading Sessions 4: KMEA/KCDA Honor Choir Literature (Honor Choir Chairs/Co-Chairs)
9:30 - Convention Headliner Introductions: Dr. Dustin Cates and Dr. Whitney Covalle (KCDA Leadership)
9:40 - Headliner Session: Everyone’s Song: Gender Inclusivity in the Choir Room - with men’s choirs, women’s choirs, tuxes, dresses, and standard repertoire that often reinforces masculine and feminine stereotypes, the gender lines in choral classrooms are well established. However, over the past decade the number of students who choose to express their non-binary gender identity has seen an increase. This session will unpack the results of a national study exploring gender-inclusive practices in choral music. We will examine concepts surrounding the intersection of gender diversity and singing and discuss practical steps choral directors can take to begin to transform their choir room into a place of belonging for transgender and non-binary singers. (Dr. Dustin Cates)
10:30 - Reading Session 5: From Downbeat to ‘Dunn’ Beat: a Deep Dive into the Dynamic, Delightful, and Diverse Scores once directed by our 2024 Harry Robert-Wilson Award Winner - 2-Part, Treble, Tenor/Bass, SAB, and SATB selections (Dr. Dwayne Dunn)
11:30 - Headliner Session: Teaching, Singing and "Being" in the Aural-Oral Tradition: explore, experience and “be” in the aural-oral tradition as a framework for learning vocal music informed by the presenter’s research immersed with three experts of Black Gospel music in Philadelphia and her work over many years learning in this tradition from her own students, colleagues, and community members. This session highlights the participatory, liberatory, and inclusive nature of the aural-oral tradition and its framework for learning, while also reflecting on Whitney's 17-year journey learning this tradition as a White choir director. We will also engage important conversations around cultural ownership and the intersection of race and teaching of this rich musical tradition. (Dr. Whitney Covalle)
12:30 - Lunch (in encouraged groups)
2:00 - Reading Session 6: Latin American Choral Music: Discover music for every level and voicing composed/arranged by composers from Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, and Columbia! Explore folk songs in Spanish, original works in Spanish, English, and Latin, 8-part SATB divisi, music for treble choir, and songs that have multiple voicings offered for purchase that make them accessible to a wide array of choirs. Autobiographical information, translations, and educational materials will be provided to KCDA members to bring back to your rehearsals (Angela & David Pérez)
3:00 - Exhibitor’s Lobby Opens (Burge Union Café & Lobby)
3:30 - Reading Session 7: MusicSpoke: Regional and Underrepresented Composers. MusicSpoke is building the world’s largest marketplace for artist-owned sheet music—empowering living composers and expanding access to diverse voices. This KCDA session highlights powerful and inspiring music by composers from across the country and right here in your own backyard. Come explore vibrant new works that uplift underrepresented composers and help you connect with meaningful, accessible music for your ensembles. Featured compositions by Andrea Ramsey • Kurt Knecht • Zanaida Robles • Bradley Vogel • Valerie Crescenz • Thabo Matshego • Timothy Tharaldson • Zachary Moore • Moira Smiley. (Dr. Rayvon Moore and Jennifer Rosenblatt)
4:30 - Plenary Session: Healthy Singing Tools for Choir Directors: Discover practical and interactive tools to foster healthy singing in your choir. This engaging presentation will introduce the Choir Director's Pack, a resource designed to help conductors teach efficient vocal technique, prevent vocal strain, and build confident singers. Participants will experience hands-on demonstrations of simple and effective exercises that can be used immediately with their ensembles (Dr. Jamea Sale and Christine Freeman).
5:30 - Dinner (on your own)
7:30 - All-Convention Sing & All-State Vocal Jazz Concert (Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall)
8:45 - KCDA Soiree! at DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom (200 McDonald Drive)
Friday, July 11
9:30 - Registration (lobby of The Burge Union on the University of Kansas campus)
9:30 - Headliner Session: Chasing the Dream: Living Our Best (Choir Director) Life! “Choral Director” isn’t just a job title—it’s a calling, a core part of who we are. It brings joy, meaning, and connection to our lives. Yet even in our dream roles, it’s easy to lose sight of the passion and purpose that first drew us to this work. Part pep rally, part TED Talk, this energizing session invites us to reconnect with the heart of our profession. Together, we’ll reflect on why we chose to teach choir, explore the qualities of transformational choral leaders, and consider how caring for ourselves and our communities can sustain us for the long haul. You’ll leave with renewed inspiration, practical strategies, and a deeper sense of what it means to live your best (choir director) life. (Dr. Dustin Cates)
10:30 - Headliner Session: Harmonize: From Small Games to Strong Bonds - Turning Classrooms Into Choir Families Through Love and Connection: How do—or can—we really build community in choir? We know our students long to belong, seen, and engaged by both their teachers and peers. Building relationships with our students is the root of meaningful learning. In this session, we’ll explore how taking rehearsal time to play seemingly surface-level “games” (musical and non-musical) can spark connection rooted in love. By practicing and normalizing shared vulnerability, intentional relationships, and self-expression, we create the conditions for students—and choirs—to truly harmonize. (Dr. Whitney Covalle)
11:30 - Clinician Session (Jazz Choir): Introductory Methods for Incorporating Contemporary Styles into the Choral Rehearsal (Dr. Kate Reid)
12:30 - Exhibitor’s Lunch and KCDA Awards (Burge Union Ballroom)
1:30 - Exhibitor’s Last Call (Burge Union Café & Lobby)
2:00 - Headliner Combined Session: Singing and Justice for All - When done right, choral music celebrates diversity and unites individuals in shared purpose. Throughout history, singing has served as a catalyst for social justice movements, giving voice to the voiceless and empowering communities to stand together. In today’s polarized climate, where concepts like empathy, equity, and justice are often politicized, choirs offer a rare and vital space: one where our differences are not only embraced but recognized as essential and where singing together unites us around a common goal. In this session, we will explore the connection between singing and social change. Together, we’ll reflect on how our ensembles can model inclusivity, foster empathy, and inspire meaningful action. Through discussion, practical strategies, and singing, we’ll consider how to harness the transformative power of choral music to help build a more just and equitable world—one rehearsal at a time (Dr. Dustin Cates and Dr. Whitney Covalle).
3:30 - Travel to Lawrence Free State High School (4700 Overland Drive)
4:30 - All-State Honor Choirs Concert (Treble and Tenor/Bass) at Lawrence Free State High School
Saturday, July 12
1:00 - KCDA Board Meeting (via Zoom)