2016 - 2017 Conventions

The first two TCDA Conventions were held in Dallas, and all Conventions since have been held in San Antonio. Following is a recap of each Convention since 1955. This information was taken from Convention Programs and other archival references in the TCDA offices in Austin. Special thanks to former TCDA Executive Secretary J Marvin Pollard for gathering information from TCDA’s early years.

If you have any additional information that would make this TCDA Convention history more complete, please contact TCDA.

2016 • 61st Annual Convention

Officers

President, Kari Gilbertson
Past President, Billy Talley
College VP, Lynne Gackle
HS VP, Thomas Rinn
MS/JH VP, Connie Horton
Elementary VP, Michele Hobizal
Church VP, Joshua Taylor
Secretary/Treasurer, Leigh Ann McClure
Executive Director, Sharon Lutz

Session Conductors
Jo Scurlock-Dillard, HS Holiday/Seasonal
Susie Low, EL Unison/SA
Roxan Silva, Tried & Proven: Music of the World
Eric Cooley, Tried & Proven: Music of the World
Chi-Chi King, Tried & Proven: Music of the World
Wendy Weeks, MS/JH Treble
Victor Johnson, Sacred General
Sean Pullen, Advanced HS/Col
Stacy Curtis, Sacred Unison/2pt
G. Mikael Lindstrom, Sacred Advanced
Tammie Polanco, MS/JH Tenor/Bass
Cynthia Douglas, HS Treble/Men
Audre De La Cruz, EL/MS/JH Holiday/Seasonal
Michael Lysinger, HS SATB
Richard Bjella, Handel's Messiah Sing-In
College Student Conductors, Adv/JH/HS Training

Student Conductors
Taylor Brimager - Texas A&M University Commerce
Makayla Caballero - West Texas A&M University
Sarah Collier - University of Texas Arlington
Taylor Fischer - Mary Hardin-Baylor University
Jacob Garcia - Stephen F. Austin University
Devon Harper - Tarleton State University
Chairein Jackson - Texas State University
Kristen Jones - McLennan Community College
Thomas Kang - Baylor University
Keenen Kelley - Lamar University
Megan Lewis - Abilene Christian University
Sawyer Lowe - Texas Christian University
Matthew Mancillas - UT Rio Grande Valley - Edinburg
Kevin Punnackal - Houston Baptist University
Ryan Rogers - University of Houston
Trevin Roming - University of Texas San Antonio
Ryan Spradley - University of North Texas
Ashley Tyler - Texas Woman's University

Clinicians

• Dr. Chris Aspaas, HS - Finding Our Inspiration: Vocation and Advocacy in Challenging Times
• Derrick Brookins, HS - Inspiring Our Audience: Engaging Community and Students through Jazz & Pop Ensembles
• Tommy Butler, CH - The 6+ Small Church Choir: Anthems that Work!
• Nicole Catoire, EL - Music Completes the Child! Cross-Curricular Connections
• Christina Chapman, MS/JH - The Alpha and the Omega: A Play-by-Play of Starting and Ending the Choral Learning Year
• Mary Cowart, HS - Inspiring Students to Excel in the All-State Process
• Wes Davis, HS - Inspiring Our Audience: Engaging Community and Students through Jazz & Pop Ensembles
• Dr. Rollo Dilworth, Col/Com/HS - The Choral Warm-Up Experience
• Deidre Douglas, MS/JH - Tried and Proven: Oldies but Goodies
• Dr. Cari Earnhart, Col/Com - Unveiling the Mystery: Understanding Arabic Choral Music for the Western Choral Conductor
• Brent Gault, EL - Movement in the Children's Choral Rehearsal
• Brent Gault, EL - Active Music Learning in the Children's Choral Rehearsal
• Rico Hamilton, HS - Inspiring Our Audience: Engaging Community and Students through Jazz & Pop Ensembles
• Michelle Hank, MS/JH - Do-Re-Mi-Fa-SQUIRREL: Minimizing Distractions in the Choral Rehearsal
• Dr. Allen Hightower, HS - Inspired By our Journey
• Linda Holkup, HS - Inspiring Students to Excel in the All-State Process
• Robyn Hollimon, HS - Inspiring Students to Excel in the All-State Process
• Bob Horton, HS - Inspiring Students to Excel in the All-State Process
• Jan Juneau, MS/JH - Tried and Proven: Oldies but Goodies
• Sandy Knudson, EL - The Engaging Choral Classroom
• Victor Lozado, CH - Beyond the Anthem: Shorter Songs to Sing and Play for Church Children's Choir
• Michael Matlock, HS - Inspiring Students to Excel in the All-State Process
• Mary McKay, CH - Re-creating Christmas after 25 Years
• Casey Medlin, EL - Instruments are for Everyone!
• Kay Owens, HS - Inspiring Our Learners: Kinesthetic, Tactile, and Visual Approaches to Engage our Singers
• Sharon Paul, MS/JH - Tried and Proven: Oldies but Goodies
• Dr. Rosephanye Powell, CH - Meet the Conductor: A Conversation with Dr. Rosephanye Powell
• Angela Ramsey, EL - The Competitive Classroom
• Juli Salzman, EL - Charisma with Aurasma: Augment the Reality In Your Music Room
• Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe, HS/Col/Com - Vowels, Vowels, Vowels: What About the Consonants?
• Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe, HS/Col/Com - Effective Rehearsal Management: Time Management in the Choral Rehearsal
• Tammy Stallcup, MS/JH - Solo and Ensemble: The Secret to Success
• Lynette Stalls, EL - Lift Every Voice and Sing
• Diana Taylor, CH - Beyond the Anthem: Shorter Songs to Sing and Play for Church Children's Choir
• Neena Taylor, HS - Inspiring Our Learners: Kinesthetic, Tactile, and Visual Approaches to Engage our Singers
• Eric Whitacre, ALL - Why We Do What We Do

Accompanists
Jeanna Baibos
Doug Boldt
Carl Braden
Josh Brown
Lynn Bull
Jimmy Emery (Festival Chorus)
Jennifer Franz-Melady
Peggy Graff
Hans Grim
Uzziel Guzman
Marie Rogers
Carla Summers
Adam Stout (Elementary Honor Choir)
Laura Taylor
Eddie Vandewalker
Will Varner
Jennifer Zaccagni

2016 TCDA Commissioned Work
This Is The Day, Sally Albrecht

Performing Groups
Voci d'Amici – Dr. Loyd Hawthorne, conductor
Amphion Youth Choir – Steve White, conductor
2016 TCDA Elementary Honor Choir – Sandy Knudson, conductor
2016 TCDA Directors Chorus – Eric Whitacre, conductor
2016 TCDA Festival Chorus - Dr. Rosephanye Powell, conductor

2016 TCDA Scholarship Recipients
TCDA/Donald Bailey Scholarship – Megan Becker, Baylor University
TCDA/William Gorham Scholarship – Andrew McNair, Texas State University
TCDA/Jackie Cocke Scholarship – Kevin Tarpley, Texas State University
TCDA General Scholarship – Sarah Collier, UT Arlington
TCDA/Cloys Webb Scholarship – Monica Pasillas, Texas Tech University
TCDA General Scholarship – Justin Shen, University of Houston
TCDA General Scholarship – Brandi Spybuck, University of North Texas
TCDA/Past Presidents Scholarship – Ryan Rogers, University of Houston
TCDA/James Matheny Scholarship – Richard Del Cristo, Jr., UT Arlington
TCDA/James Matheny Scholarship – Molly Leach, University of North Texas
TCDA/Abbott-IPCO Professional Scholarship – Chelsea Berner
TCDA/Jim & Glenda Casey Professional Scholarship – Clinton Hardy
TCDA/Gandy Ink Professional Scholarship – Aaron Harp

2016 TCDA Awards
Texas Choirmaster Award:
-Dr. Kenny Sheppard

Texas Choral Excellence Award:
-Harry Wooten
-Tammy Patterson
-Brad White

Young Director of Distinction Award:
-Lindsay Swartwood
-Colton Blake

2016 Special Events
High School Student Leadership Day – featuring Jeremy Spicer, Deborah Williamson, Rollo Dilworth, Francis Vu, & Amy Harrington
TCDA Directors Chorus Performance with the U.S. Air Force Band of the West - conducted by Eric Whitacre

Convention Headliners:
-Sally Albrecht, Commissioned Work
-Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe, College/Community Division
-Eric Whitacre, 2016 TCDA Directors Chorus
-Dr. Rosephanye Powell, 2016 TCDA Festival Chorus
-Sandy Knudson, 2016 TCDA Elementary Honor Choir

2017 • 62nd Annual Convention

Officers
President, Kari Gilbertson
Past President, Billy Talley
President-Elect, Pam Elrod Huffman
College VP, Carolyn Cruse
HS VP, Thomas Rinn
MS/JH VP, Connie Horton
Elementary VP, Debra Johnson
Church VP, Dan Baker
Secretary/Treasurer, Leigh Ann McClure
Executive Director, Sharon Lutz

Session Conductors
Todd Prickett, Sacred Lent/Easter
Tommy Haygood, HS Pop/Jazz
Melanie Brooks, Sacred Children/Youth
Shannon Carter, HS SATB
Glenn Foster, Sacred General
Sean Mann, EL Tried & Proven
Jusine Halamicek, EL Tried & Proven
Amy Moss, EL/MS/JH Holiday/Seasonal
Jonathan Pilgrim, MS/JH Tenor/Bass
Lauren Summa, EL Unison/SA
Dr. Jeb Mueller, Advanced HS/College
Cheryl Wilson, HS Holiday/Seasonal
James Kimmel, Sacred Advent/Christmas
Michael Feris, HS Treble/Men
Courtney Kelly, MS/JH Treble
College Student Conductors, Advanced JH/HS Training
Nora Henson, Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes Op. 52

Student Conductors
Adriana Arango, University of Texas Rio Grande
Arali Berumen, Texas State University
Parker Bowen, Baylor University
Madeline Clothier, Texas Woman's University
Amanda Curry, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Eugenio Fabela, Texas A&M University Commerce
Kaitlyn Floyd, Lamar University
Jyron Joseph, University of Texas San Antonio
Cassandra Kirby, University of Texas Arlington
Evan Lane, Texas Christian University
John Pollock, Tarleton State University
Jacob Rivas, Stephen F. Austin University
Samuel Sweet, University of North Texas
Ashley Tillerson, Texas Tech University
Kayla Torp, Abilene Christian University
Anthony Vickery, West Texas A&M University
Andrea Walker, University of Houston
Joshua Westman, Hardin-Simmons University

Clinicians

• Henry Leck, EL/MS/JH - Strategies for Using 2 and 3-part Treble Music in the Middle School
• Don & Sandy Shelley, Ryan & Christy Forkner, Richard & Martha Surface, CH/HS - Juggling Jesus and Juveniles
• Sally Schott, Jan Juneau, MS/JH/HS - Brain-Friendly Teaching: Your Ticket Off the Struggle Bus
• Dr. Joey Martin, Coll/Com - Estill Voice Training in the Choral Rehearsal
• Darla Meek, EL - Using Children's Literature to Teach Rhythmic and Melodic Literacy
• Lauren Bain, EL - I Detect A Theme Here
• J.R. Smith, EL/MS/JH - Don't Hate: Appreciate! Making the Most Out of Your General Music & Music Appreciation Classes
• Lauren Bain, EL - Folk Dancing, Movement and Games - Oh My!
• Heather Bolin, Kelly Morgan, Alyssa Guerra, Matthew Spitsberg, MS/JH - Centered on Learning: Using Music Learning Centers in the Secondary Choral Classroom
• Dr. Frank Eychaner, Coll/Com - 10 Keys to Unlocking Artistic Choral Performances
• Dr. Lori Hetzel, HS - The Empowered Treble Chorus: Vocal Technique and Voice Placement for the Treble Choir
• Kelly McDonald, MS/JH - I Have Confidence in Mi: Play and Practice Strategies for Beginners
• Dr. Robert Bode, Coll/Com - Working with Strings: A Practical Guide for Choral Conductors
• Dr. Rick Bjella, HS - Empowering the Ensemble for Stylistic Performance
• Stephen Carrell, Dr. Howard Batson, CH - So What I Hear You Saying Is...
• Dr. Quinn Patrick Ankrum, Coll/Com - Singing Somatically: Building Voices in the Choral Setting Through the Use of Body Mapping
• Dr. Lori Hetzel, HS - Empowering the Treble Chorus with Quality Repertoire
• Juli Salzman, Michelle Lopez, Ting-Ling Sha, EL - Tackling the T-TESS with Ease: Strategies for Improving Your Evaluation and Increasing Your Awesomeness as a Teacher
• Bethany Stuard, MS/JH/HS - From Compliant Choirs to Creative Musicians
• Dr. Derrick Fox, MS/JH - The Choir Director as the Voice Teacher: Pushing the Boundaries of Your Rehearsal
• Becky Knox, EL - Beyond Games: How to Incorporate Technology and Keep the Integrity of Teaching Music by Creating Digital Portfolios
• Carianne Bernatis, EL - Delving Into the Orff Process
• Justin West, CH - When A Plan Comes Together: Structure and Spirit in the Church Choir Rehearsal
• Carianne Bernatis, EL - Performances for the Whole Musician
• Matt Woodward, HS - Empowering Singers with Contemporary A Cappella
• Kimberly Ingram, CH/EL - Uniquely Wired to Sing & Praise

Accompanists
Gary Anthony
Mary Helen Atkins
Jimmy Baas
Stephanie Biffle (Honor Choir)
Robin Brockway-Nichols
Tracy Carroll
Karla Cruz
Cynthia DePrang
Norman Goad
Michael Grauvogl
Dr. Sarah Herrington
Paula Knight
Lester Lopez
John Markert
Rae Moses (College Conductor rehearsals)
Susan Neff
Patricia Neighbors (Sing-In)
Kelly Pfaffenberger (Sing-In)
Daniel Steenken (College Conductor rehearsals)
Jennifer Zaccagni (Directors Chorus)

2017 TCDA Commissioned Work
Searching Love text by Euan Tait, Kim André Arnesen

Performing Groups
Southeast Texas Vocal Artists – Levi Duncan, conductor
Credo – Ryan Jones, conductor
Park Cities Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra - Stephen Carrell, director
2017 MS/JH Honor Choir - Dr. Derrick Fox, conductor
2017 Treble Directors Chorus - Dr. Lori Hetzel, conductor

2017 TCDA Scholarship Recipients
TCDA/Donald Bailey Scholarship – Casey Levie, Baylor University
TCDA/William Gorham Scholarship – Briana Salas, UT Arlington
TCDA/Jackie Cocke Scholarship – Kaitlyn McIntire, UT Arlington
TCDA General Scholarship – Ryan Rogers, University of Houston
TCDA/Cloys Webb Scholarship – Caleb Fritz, Texas Christian University
TCDA General Scholarship – Kameryn Mattingly, Texas Tech University
TCDA General Scholarship – Rachel McCormick, Baylor University
TCDA/Past Presidents Scholarship – Ashley Tillerson, Texas Tech University
TCDA/James Matheny Scholarship – Henrik Zetterstrom, Texas Tech University
TCDA/James Matheny Scholarship – Kylee Shipp, Texas Tech University
TCDA/Abbott-IPCO Professional Scholarship – Courtney Neva
TCDA/Jim & Glenda Casey Professional Scholarship – Joshua Taylor
TCDA/Gandy Ink Professional Scholarship – Francis Vu

2016 TCDA Awards
Texas Choirmaster Award:
-Sally Schott

Texas Choral Excellence Award:
-Deidre Douglas
-Dr. Stephen Holcomb

Young Director of Distinction Award:
-Jasmine Reed
-Betsy Clark Howerton
-Kenneth Sieloff

Service Award:
-Emily Crocker (Hal Leonard)
-Carol Ann Rhodes (RBC Music)

2017 Special Events
High School Student Leadership Day – featuring Jeremy Spicer, Connie Sanchez, David Corman, and PFC A Cappella group

Convention Headliners:
-Kim André Arnesen, Commissioned Work
-Dr. Lori Hetzel, 2017 TCDA Directors Chorus
-Dr. Derrick Fox, 2017 TCDA MS/JH Honor Choir