2018 - 2019 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.

1955 - 1959 1960 - 1964 1965 - 1969 1970 - 1974 1975 - 1979 1980 - 1984
1985 - 1989 1990 - 1994 1995 - 1999 2000 - 2004 2005 - 2009 2010 - 2012
2013 - 2015 2016 - 2017 2018 - 2019 2020 - 2021 2022 - 2023 2024 - 2025


2018 • 63rd Annual Convention


Convention Handouts
Officers

President, Pam Elrod Huffman
Past President,  Kari Gilbertson
College VP, Carolyn Cruse
HS VP, Jason Dove
MS/JH VP, Christina Chapman
Elementary VP, Debra Johnson
Church VP, Dan Baker
Secretary/Treasurer, Carisa Niemeyer
Executive Director, Sharon Lutz

Session Conductors
Mary Cowart, HS/Coll/Com Advanced SATB
Dr. Elisa Wilson, HS/Coll/Com Advanced SATB
Jeremy Crozier, HS Treble
Pauline Sexton, HS Treble
Lindsey Spitzberg, MS/JH/HS Tenor-Bass
Nathan Dame, MS/JH/HS Tenor-Bass
Jason Womack, MS/JH/HS Holiday/Seasonal
Courtney Patten, MS/JH/HS Holiday/Seasonal
Edie Cooksey, MS/JH/HS Pop/Jazz
Jason Brown, MS/JH/HS Pop/Jazz
Nora Henson, HS Tried and True
Monte Garrett, Sacred General
Russell Farnell, Sacred Seasonal
Karen Andrews, Sacred Childrens/Youth
Shelia Donahue, Unison/SA
Shannon Duckett, MS/JH Treble
Kara Kasberg, MS/JH Treble
College Student Conductors, Adv/JH/HS Training

Student Conductors
Jazmin Almendarez - University of Texas at Arlington
Kelly Bird - Lamar University
Garrett Dunaway - Texas A&M University - Commerce
Julia Durbin - Southern Methodist University
Carlos Flores - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Anissa Garcia - Texas Tech University
Greg Goedecke - University of Houston
Azalea Gonzalez - Texas Woman's University
Nakita Harris - West Texas A&M University
Robin Harrison - Houston Baptist University
Joseph Herron - University of Texas at San Antonio
Oscar Lara - Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Grant Peterson - Stephen F. Austin State University
Oliver Rodriguez - Abilene Christian University
Gabrielle Sanchez - Texas State University
Savannah Sepulveda - University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Nash Turbeville - University of North Texas
Sarah Weaver - Baylor University

Clinicians
  • Wesley Davis, HS - Reinforcing Musicianship through Contemporary A cappella
  • Dr. Sandra Snow, MS/JH/HS -"Top Shelf" Conducting Moves to Significantly Improve Your Choir's Singing
  • Dr. Chirs Aspaas, MS/JH/HS - Reboot of the Gesture
  • Dr. Todd Prickett, CH - How to Choose Repertoire for the Church Choir: Three Secrets to Success
  • Todd Wilson, CH - Bridging the Great Divide: Moving Toward Multigenerational Worship
  • Dr. Robert Pendergraft, CH - Bridging the Great Divide: Moving Toward Multigenerational Worship
  • Mary McDonald, CH - Bridging the Great Divide: Moving Toward Multigenerational Worship
  • Nick Boltz, CH - The Aging Voice: Strategies for Success
  • Dr. Blake Simpson, CH - The Aging Voice: Strategies for Success
  • Dr. Laura Dominguez, CH - The Aging Voice: Strategies for Success
  • Rachelle Speer, CCC-SLP, CH - The Aging Voice: Strategies for Success
  • Mary McDonald, CH - Serving in the Trenches
  • Mary McDonald - CH - Playing with Power, Passion, and Purpose
  • Dr. Julie Scott, EL - Choral Singing the Orff Schulwerk Way
  • Phyllis King, EL - Classroom to Chorus: Vocal Development and Singing Games
  • Angela Leonhardt, EL - A Story, A Song, A Performance is Born
  • Michele Hobizal, EL - Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Wonderful World of Technology
  • Katherine Johns, EL - Building Community through Folk Dance
  • Cyndie Lowry, EL - Panel Discussion: Take Your Honor Choir to the Next Levels
  • Lindy Perez, EL - Panel Discussion: Take Your Honor Choir to the Next Level
  • Cecile Johnson, EL - Panel Discussion: Take Your Honor Choir to the Next Level
  • Clinton Hardy, MS/JH - From Zero to Hero
  • Dorrie Seamans, MS/JHTried & True: These Are For You!
  • Jocelyn Epley, MS/JHTried & True: These Are For You
  • Sarah Bayles, MS/JHTried & True: These Are For You
  • Joe Nidever, MS/JH/HS - What the Google?
  • Melissa Hall Smith, MS/JH/HS - What the Google?
  • Dr. Sandy Hinkley, MS/JH - Motivating the Middle School Singer: Some Assembly Required
  • Dr. David Rayl, Coll/Com - Reasonable Romantic Repertoire for Voices and Instruments
  • Dr. David Rayl, Coll/Com - Gesture Matters: Communicative Conducting for More Effective Rehearsals and Better Performances
  • Dr. Mastronardi Ganschow, Coll/Com - Peak Experience: A Triptychal Approach to Transformative Rehearsals
  • Dr. Sandra Snow, Coll/Com - seen and heard: meet the women of mirabai
  • Dr. Carolyn Cruse, College Student Session: TCDA and Networking

Accompanists
Jimmy Baas
Jeremy Bowen
Judy Boyter
Stacey Brandenberger
Pam Elam
Keith Dixon
Karen Eychaner
Brooke Grall
Jane Haas
Georgia Kornegay
Hanna Lee
Sandra Mattson
Dr. David Means
Sue Neff
Kelly Pfaffenberger
Andrew Steffen
Stefanie Stephens
Catherine Stevenson
Debbie Talley
Manahara Virasinha
David Ward
Justin West
Jennifer Zaccagni

2018 TCDA Dedicated Work
God of our Fathers, arranged by Mary McDonald

Performing Groups
mirabai
– Dr. Sandra Snow, conductor

Dallas Street Choir – Jonathan Palant, conductor
2018 TCDA Elementary Honor Choir – Ruth Dwyer, conductor

2018 TCDA Scholarship Recipients

TCDA/Mary Ann & Art Winden Scholarship - Ashley Dean, UT Arlington
TCDA/Donald Bailey Scholarship – Casey LeVie, UT Arlington
TCDA/William Gorham Scholarship – Gregory Goedecke, University of Houston
TCDA/Jackie Cocke Scholarship – Rachel McCormick, Baylor University
TCDA General Scholarship – Marissa Garcia, Texas Tech University
TCDA/Cloys Webb Scholarship – Kameron Mattingly, Texas Tech University
TCDA General Scholarship – Tiffany Ibarra, University of Houston
TCDA General Scholarship – Jazmin Almendarez, University of Mary Hardin Baylor
TCDA/Past Presidents Scholarship – Olivia Havel, University of North Texas
TCDA/James Matheny Scholarship – Aaron Wardlaw, Stephen F Austin University
TCDA/Abbott-IPCO Professional Scholarship – Joshua Brown, University of North Texas
TCDA/Jim & Glenda Casey Professional Scholarship – Clinton Hardy, University of North Texas
TCDA/Gandy Ink Professional Scholarship – Debbie Pilgrim, Texas Tech University

2018 TCDA Awards
Texas Choirmaster Award:
-Dianne Brumley

Texas Choral Excellence Award:
-Brad Bouley
-Amy Allibon
-Morris Stevens
-E.A. Amby Tanner, III

Young Director of Distinction Award:
-Francis Vu
-Rachel Holliday

Convention Headliners:
-Mary McDonald, Church Division
-Dr. David Rayl, College/Community Division
-Eric Whitacre, 2016 TCDA Directors Chorus
-Dr. Rosephanye Powell, 2016 TCDA Festival Chorus
-Ruth Dwyer, 2018 TCDA Elementary Honor Choir

2019 • 64th Annual Convention

Convention Handouts
Officers
President, Pam Elrod Huffman
President-Elect, Thomas Rinn

Past President,  Kari Gilbertson
College VP, Jeb Mueller
HS VP, Jason Dove
MS/JH VP, Christina Chapman
Elementary VP, Katy Flowers
Church VP, Robert Stovall
Secretary/Treasurer, Carisa Niemeyer
Executive Director, Sharon Lutz

Session Conductors        
Dr. Todd Prickett, Tried and Proven: Sacred General

Mike Ware, Tried and Proven: Lenten Season
Barry Talley, Tried and Proven: Advent Season
Brad White, HS Tried and Proven
Patricia Neighbors, HS Tried and Proven
Terri Preskitt-Brown, Tried and Proven: Sacred Children's/Youth
Jan Taylor, Student Conductor Master Class & Reading Session
Dr. Christopher Aspaas, Student Conductor Master Class & Reading Session

Student Conductors
Ashley Dean, University of Texas at Arlington

Leah Gulley, University of North Texas
Ignacio Cruz III, University of Texas RGV
Desteni Granston, Prairie View A&M University
Alyssa Anderson, Hardin-Simmons University
Jimmy Morgette, West Texas A&M University
Hannah Meyer, Lamar University
Zach Zagrocki, Tarleton State University
Tiffany Ibarra, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Vivian Suarez-Espinoza, University of Texas at San Antonio
Emily Zenkner, University of Houston
Madeline DeHart, Texas Woman's University
Kameryn Mattingly, Texas Tech University
Xavier Alonzo, University of Texas RGV
Austin Rabon, Baylor University
Rachel Wasson, Texas A&M University-Commerce
Jacob Garcia, University of Texas at Permian Basin
Ivan Rodriguez, Texas State University

Clinicians

  • Jodi Coke, MS/JH, How the Heck Do I Start the Year?
  • Tammy Benton, MS/JH, How the Heck Do I Start the Year?
  • Dr. Suzanne Pence, Coll/Comm, Preparing Future Teachers for Success at Every Level
  • Janwin Overstreet-Goode, Coll/Comm, Preparing Future Teachers for Success at Every Level
  • Dennis Boyer, Coll/Comm, Preparing Future Teachers for Success at Every Level
  • Jenn Goodner, Coll/Comm, Preparing Future Teachers for Success at Every Level
  • Howard Solis, Coll/Comm, Preparing Future Teachers for Success at Every Level
  • Mary Jane Phillips, MS/JH, Choosing Appropriate Repertoire (6th Grade); Non-Varsity (7th & 8th) for Tenor-Bass and Treble Choirs
  • Seini Mila, MS/JH, Choosing Appropriate Repertoire (6th Grade); Non-Varsity (7th & 8th) for Tenor-Bass and Treble Choirs
  • Arielle Sword, MS/JH, Big Results Often Start From Small Beginnings: Strategies to Develop Your Small Program
  • Gershom Garcia, MS/JH, Big Results Often Start From Small Beginnings: Strategies to Develop Your Small Program
  • Terry Price, CH/Coll/Comm, Building and Improving Your Volunteer Choir
  • Dr. Alec Schumacker, CH/Coll/Comm, Featured Composer Session I:  The Compositional Process and Philosophy of Dr. Alec Schumaker
  • Matthew Woodard, MS/JH/HS, Google 2.0
  • Anna Osterman, MS/JH/HS,Google 2.0
  • Dr. Carolyn Cruse, MS/JH, Training the Voices in Their Heads: Preparing for UIL Sight-Reading From Day One
  • Denise Eaton, HS, Pillars of Choral Excellence
  • Ryan Forkner, HS, Man-Scaping: Sculpting Tenor-Bass Choir Through Repertoire Selection
  • Daniel Knight, HS, HS, Man-Scaping: Sculpting Tenor-Bass Choir Through Repertoire Selection
  • Tom Shelton, MS/JH, Getting Out of the Rut: Ideas for Introducing a New Song to Developing Singers
  • Darla Meek, Elementary, The Soprano Recorder int he Kodaly Context
  • Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli, Coll/Comm, Of Salads and Palaces: Rediscovering Spanish Renaissance Choral Music
  • Heather Bolin, MS/JH, Centers 2.0 - To Infinity and Beyond!
  • Kelly Morgan, MS/JH, Centers 2.0 - To Infinity and Beyond!
  • Heather Orr, HS, Beautiful, Brilliant and Brave: Preparing JV Treble Chairs for the Varsity World
  • Cheryl Wilson, HS, Beautiful, Brilliant and Brave: Preparing JV Treble Chairs for the Varsity World
  • Darla Meek, Elementary, Serious Singing...Serious Fun!
  • Celeste Harrell, Elementary, Serious Singing...Serious Fun!
  • Tama Barnes, Elementary, Serious Singing...Serious Fun!
  • Darla Meek, Elementary, It's Music to Their Ears! Listening Lessons for the Elementary Music Classroom
  • Oshadhee Satarasinghe, Elementary, It's Music to Their Ears! Listening Lessons for the Elementary Music Classroom
  • Roxan Silva, HS, Building a Notable Varsity Choir
  • Dorothy Wilson, HS, Building a Notable Varsity Choir
  • Amy Moore, MS/JH, Masters of the MIddle School Choral Tone: Princesses of Vowels
  • Jennie Crawford, MS/JH, Masters of the MIddle School Choral Tone: Princesses of Vowels
  • Kim Ahrens, MS/JH, Masters of the MIddle School Choral Tone: Princesses of Vowels
  • Dr. Brad Bradford, All, Resources and Wisdom for Today's Church Worship, Music and Arts Ministry: Things I Can Use Right Away and Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me
  • Emmy Williams Burch, Elementary, Five Ways to Engage Students and Build Literacy Through Singing and Play
  • Dr. Kent Hatteberg, HS, Engaging Singers in the Rehearsal: What Do They Need From You?
  • Dr. Alec Schumaker, Coll/Comm, Featured Composer II: From HI-TX: Music of the Pacific Rim
  • Michele Hobizal, Elementary, Continue Down the Yellow Brick Road in the Wonderful World of Technology
  • Theresa Pritchard, MS/JH, Changing Voices, Timeless Choices
  • Mark Burrows, CH/Elementary, Children and Youth are Needed in Our Worship Service
  • Lauren Knebel, MS/JH, Racial Diversity in the Choral Classroom: Cultural Competency and the Student Experience
  • Jasmine Reed, MS/JH, Racial Diversity in the Choral Classroom: Cultural Competency and the Student Experience
  • Eunice Marrero, MS/JH, Racial Diversity in the Choral Classroom: Cultural Competency and the Student Experience
  • Jennifer Gallagher, MS/JH, Racial Diversity in the Choral Classroom: Cultural Competency and the Student Experience
  • Reginal Wright, MS/JH, Racial Diversity in the Choral Classroom: Cultural Competency and the Student Experience
  • Dr. Kent Hatteberg, HS, Finding Repertoire - The World Is At Your Fingertips!
  • Dr. Julie Derges Kastner, Coll/Comm, Using Popular Music to Help Students "Find Their Voices"
  • Saleel Menon, Coll/Comm, Using Popular Music to Help Students "Find Their Voices"
  • Joe Nidever, CH, Developing and Maintaining Church Youth Choirs
  • Bethany Stuard, MS/JH, These Are the Greatest Games!
  • Dr. Alec Schumaker, MS/JH/HS/Coll/Comm, Featured Composer III: I Want to Sing Pentatonix Songs! How to Authentically Arrange Pop Music for Your Choir

Accompanists
Peggy Graff

Debby Barkey
Michael Grauvogl
Dan Miner
Robert Cruhm
Jennifer Franz-Melady
Christopher Wagner
Kelly Pfaffenberger
Ryan Rogers
Jordan Peek
Candy McComb

Performing Groups
The Dallas Chamber Choir - Jon Culpepper, counductor

The CenturyMen - Dr. Charles Fuller
2019 MS/JH All-State Choir - Tom Shelton, conductor

2019 TCDA Scholarship Recipients
TCDA/Mary Ann & Art Winden Scholarship - Kameryn Mattingly, Texas Tech University

TCDA/Donald Bailey Scholarship – Helen McDaniel, Baylor University
TCDA/Jackie Cocke Scholarship – Adam Thomas, Texas Christian University
TCDA General Scholarship – Ashley Dean, University of Texas Arlington
TCDA/Cloys Webb Scholarship – Vivian Suarez-Espinoza, University of Texas San Antonio
TCDA General Scholarship – Ivan Rodriguez, Texas State University
TCDA General Scholarship – Laurel Kroesch, University of North Texas
TCDA/Past Presidents Scholarship – James Segura, University of Texas San Antonio
TCDA/James Matheny Scholarship – Henrik Zetterstrom, Texas Tech University
TCDA/Abbott-IPCO Professional Scholarship – Debbie Seitter
TCDA/Jim & Glenda Casey Professional Scholarship – Hannah Ware
TCDA/Gandy Ink Professional Scholarship – Francis Vu

2019 TCDA Awards
Texas Choirmaster Award:

Rosemary Heffley
Nora Henson

Texas Choral Excellence Award:
Billy Talley
Eddie Quaid
Norris Blevins
Margaret Jordan

Young Director of Distinction Award:
Lauren Robertson
Eradio Martinez

Convention Headliners:
Dr. Kent Hatteberg
Tom Shelton, Jr
Dr. Alec Schumaker