2024 - 2025 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

2024 • 69th Annual Convention

Officers

President, Carolyn Cruse

President-Elect, Leigh Ann McClure
College/New Professionals VP, Suzanne Pence

High School VP, Daniel Ponce
MS/JH VP, Theresa Pritchard
Elementary VP, Jackson Hill

Worship/Community VP, Robyn Hollimon
Special Projects & Public Relations VP, Rachel Fiorini

Secretary, Jimmy Garrett
Executive Director, Sharon Lott

Student Conductors

  • Athena Arreola - UT El Paso
  • Christina Parra - Angelo State University
  • Destynn Hatcher - Texas A&M Kingsville
  • Emma Duncan - Southwestern Methodist University
  • Haniel Neves - Trinity University
  • Johnny Alves - Baylor University
  • Julianna Ramirez - UT Arlington
  • Ky Jinks - Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Milena Sousa - UT San Antonio
  • Noah Ricciardelli - Texas State University
  • Peyton Matthews - Texas Tech University
  • Makenna Weatherby - Baylor University
  • Xavier Bailey - Ut Austin
  • Shemahl Stewart - Prairie View A&M

Headliners/Sessions

  • Dr. Edryn Coleman, MS/JH/HS: Accessible and Beautiful: SAB/SATB Repertoire for Teaching and Performing
  • Dr. Jacqueline Henninger, ALL: Crucial Conversations: The Importance of Belonging for Our Students, Our Music Spaces, and Our Communities
  • Dr. Jacqueline Henninger, ALL: Purposeful Planning in Our Music Classrooms and Choral Rehearsals: Seeing Our Students and Affirming Their Identities

Clinicians/Sessions

  • Travis Lowery, WOR/COMM: We're Not in Cambridge Anymore: Preparing a Lessons & Carols Service at a Small Church
  • Dr. Christopher Rosborough, WOR/COMM: We're Not in Cambridge Anymore: Preparing a Lessons & Carols Service at a Small Church
  • Eric Robertson, ELEM: Together We Sing: Uniting Your Group Through Warm-Up, Tone, & Expression
  • Rachel Fiorini, HS: Tried and New: Gems for Developing Non-Varsity High School Choirs
  • Darla Meek, WOR/COMM: Sing, Play, and Move Toward Scripture Memory
  • Julie Stobbe, ELEM/MS/JH: Establishing, Building & Maintaining a Dynamic Elementary & Middle School Choral Program
  • Sara Adcock, ELEM/MS/JH: Establishing, Building & Maintaining a Dynamic Elementary & Middle School Choral Program
  • Jonathan Coffield, MS/JH: FUNdamental TB Literature: Fun, Successful Songs for the Beginning Teacher with the Beginning TB Chorus
  • Mark Bailey, HS: Progress over Perfection: Student Success in Title 1 Programs
  • Natalie Cummings, WOR/COMM/COLL/NEW PROFESSIONAL: 'Support' and Other Mysteries: How to Say What You Mean to Build Strong Voices
  • Jason Brown, MS/JH: Tonal Eclipse of the Heart: Treble Songs to Build Beautiful Tone Throughout the Year
  • Mario Contreras, ELEM: Harmony Haven: Music For Emerging Treble Choirs
  • Bryce Gage, HS: Big Success for Small Schools
  • Reginal Wright, WOR/COMM: Texas-Grown Composers and Their Sacred Music
  • Victor Johnson, WOR/COMM: Texas-Grown Composers and Their Sacred Music
  • Heather Sorenson, WOR/COMM: Texas-Grown Composers and Their Sacred Music
  • Dustin Cates, COLL/NEW PROFESSIONAL: Everyone's Song: Gender Inclusivity in the Choir Room
  • Kelsey Helton, ELEM: Music Teacher Toolkit: Tips and Tricks for Elementary Music and Children's Choir
  • Dustin Barksdale, ALL: Every Reason to Stay: Recruitment & Retention in the Choral Classroom
  • Deborah Barrick, ELEM:  Beginner Besties: Literature for Beginner Treble Choirs
  • Justin Langham, WOR/COMM: Programming for the Eclectic Church Choir
  • Alicia Jones-Lumbuz, WOR/COMM: Programming for the Eclectic Church Choir
  • Pauline Sexton, HS: Smoke and Mirrors: How to Survive and Thrive During Rebuilding Years
  • Arianna Astudillo, HS: Smoke and Mirrors: How to Survive and Thrive During Rebuilding Years
  • Catarina Cabrera, MS/JH: Secret Sauce Recipe for UIL Sight-Reading Success
  • Christina Cabrera, MH/JH: Secret Sauce Recipe for UIL Sight-Reading Success
  • Dr. Jacob Narverud, WOR/COM/COLL/NEW PROFESSIONAL: The Compositional Process/Q&A
  • Benito Torres, HS: What I Wish I Knew
  • Reginal Wright, HS Varsity
  • Stacey Redding, ELEM: Prevention, Recovery, and Maintenance for Good Classroom Vocal Health
  • Dr. Jordan Boyd, COLL/NEW PROFESSIONAL: From Notes to Narratives: Embracing Creativity and Collaboration in Choral Programming
  • Matthew Coffey, ALL: There Will Be Rest
  • Christi Jones, MS/JH: Home on the Range: Navigating the Tenor-Bass Ranges
  • Hunter Hendrickson, MS/JH: Home on the Range: Navigating the Tenor-Bass Ranges
  • Jennifer Logan, MS/JH/HS: Harmonizing Teams: The Symphony of Success
  • Sarah Bayles, ELEM: Effective Strategies for Excellent Selections: A Teaching Demo with Members of the TCDA Elementary Honor Choir
  • Austin Hunt, ELEM: Effective Strategies for Excellent Selections: A Teaching Demo with Members of the TCDA Elementary Honor Choir
  • Samantha Mansour, ELEM: Effective Strategies for Excellent Selections: A Teaching Demo with Members of the TCDA Elementary Honor Choir
  • Felipe Rosales, ELEM: Effective Strategies for Excellent Selections: A Teaching Demo with Members of the TCDA Elementary Honor Choir
  • Dr. Elisa Wilson, MS/JH/HS/COLL/NEW PROFESSIONAL/WOR/COMM: Student Conducting Session: All-Level Treble, Tenor/Bass, & Mixed Repertoire
  • Dr. Gary Seighman, MS/JH/HS/COLL/NEW PROFESSIONAL/WOR/COMM: Student Conducting Session: All-Level Treble, Tenor/Bass, & Mixed Repertoire
  • Joshua Taylor, WOR/COMM: Will You Serve with Energy, Intelligence, Imagination, and Love? Affirming or Re-Affirming Your Role as a Church Musician

Publisher Reading Sessions

  • Publisher RS 1 - Hal Leonard: New Middle School Choral Music
  • Publisher RS 2 - Walton: New Music
  • Publisher RS 3 - Choristers Guild: Distinctive & Innovative Repertoire for  Developing Middle and High School Choirs
  • Publisher RS 4 - Heritage/Lorenz: New Music for Elementary and Middle School Choirs
  • Publisher RS 5 - Excelcia: New Choral Music from Voctave, Derric Johnson & Pink Zebra with Choral Editor Jamey Ray
  • Publisher RS 6 - ECS Publishing: Music for Schools
  • Publisher RS 7 - GIA: New Sacred Choral Music
  • Publisher RS 8 - Alfred: Meet Me in the Middle: Choral Rep for Middle School Voices
  • Publisher RS 9 - Alliance: New Publications
  • Publisher RS 10 - Excelcia: New Choral Music for All Levels with Choral Editor Jamey Ray
  • Publisher RS 11 - Choristers Guild: Sacred - Singing through the Church Year
  • Publisher RS 12 - Hal Leonard: New High School Music
  • Publisher RS 13 - Heritage/Lorenz New Music for High School and Coll/Univ
  • Publisher RS 14 - Alfred: 2-Part Choral - Not Just for Kids!

Accompanists

  • Jennifer Zaccagni
  • Dan Miner
  • Kimber Rodriguez
  • Grace Capshaw
  • Jody Bagley
  • Cory Curvin
  • Mackenzie Pollock
  • Matthew Martinez
  • Karla Cruz

Performing Groups

  • Brothers in Song, Dr. Derrick Brookins, conductor
  • Orpheus Chamber Singers, Dr. J.D. Burnett, conductor
  • Tallgrass Chamber Choir, Dr. Jacob Narverud, conductor
  • Inspirata, Heather Sorenson, composer

Featured Video Performances

  • IlluMen: Chorus of Men; Grant Lyons, conductor
  • Academy Singers; Matthew Stephens, conductor; Steve Carlton, accompanist
  • Veterans Memorial ECHS Varsity Treble Choir; Iliana Guerrero, conductor
  • Copperas Cove HS Varsity Treble Choir; Ricky Gates, conductor; Mrs. Heeyoung Cho, accompanist
  • Northpointe Intermediate 6th Grade Choir; Angela Ramsey, conductor; Lynne Sears, accompanist
  • St. Mark’s School of Texas Upper School Choir; Tinsely Silcox, conductor
  • Granbury HS A Cappella Choir; Kendra Fisher, conductor
  • Flower Mound HS Chamber Singers; Alex Poole, conductor; Lisa Debellevue, accompanist
  • Dallas Baptist University Chorale; Joshua Brown, conductor; Sharon Bailey, accompanist
  • Chorus Austin Chamber Ensemble; Ryan Heller, conductor
  • Tex Hill MS Varsity Treble Choir; Ashley Pollack, conductor; Thomas Fedorchik, accompanist
  • Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy Glee Club; Dustin Barksdale; conductor, Claire Miller, pianist

2024 Scholarship Recipients

  • Mary Ann & Art Winden Scholarship ($4000) - Corrine Tallman, Trinity University
  • General Scholarship ($1300) - Caden Teliha, Trinity University
  • General Scholarship ($1300) - Amanda Sal - Baylor University
  • General Scholarship ($1300) - Annika Peterson - Texas Woman's University
  • General Scholarship ($1300) - Karolina Flores - Texas Christian University
  • James Matheny Scholarship ($1000) - Evelyn Karl, UT Austin
  • Donald L. Bailey Scholarship  ($1000) & General Scholarship ($300) - Aaron Wordlaw, Dallas Baptist University
  • Jackie Cocke Scholarship ($1000) & General Scholarship ($300) - Emily Ledesma, UT Arlington
  • Past President Scholarship ($1300) & General Scholarship ($300) - Julio Villeda, Texas A&M University-Commerce
  • Kathy Hackett Memorial Scholarship ($2000) - Brenna Reece, Texas State University
  • Abbott IPCO Professional Scholarship ($1000) & Jim & Glenda Casey Scholarship ($300) - Mark Bailey, Texas Tech University
  • Professional Scholarship ($1000) - Klint Fabian
  • Early Career Scholarship ($500) - Isidoro Melchor
  • Early Career Scholarship ($500) - Nathalie Calvo
  • Early Career Scholarship ($500) - Hailey Gowens

 

2024 Award Recipients

Texas Choirmaster Award
Dr. John Silantien
Deidre Douglas

Texas Choral Excellence Award
Kelly Pfaffenberger

Choral Director of Distinction Award
Nicholas Likos
Travis Baldwin


Young Director of Distinction Award
Taylor Davis
Kelsie Quintana