Illinois ACDA

🎵 Meet the Board! 🎵
Today we’re celebrating Puja Ramaswamy, our dedicated IL-ACDA Secretary! ✨
Puja brings passion, organization, and leadership to our community, helping keep IL-ACDA running smoothly.

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to invite you to a special Illinois Children’s Choir Directors’ Gathering — an opportunity for us to connect, share ideas, and strengthen our community of those who inspire young singers across our state.

This informal event will take place on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Seasons 52, Schaumburg beginning at 5:30 PM. The evening will include time to enjoy dinner together, exchange experiences, and share plans for the year ahead.

Our goal for this first gathering is to build a network of collaboration — to get to know one another, celebrate what each choir brings to our communities, and discuss possibilities for future joint projects, festivals, and shared performances.

Please RSVP by January 3, 2026, so we can confirm the reservation. Each guest will be welcome to order individually from the restaurant menu.

I look forward to an evening of warmth, conversation, and connection — and to growing a strong community of children’s choir directors throughout Illinois.

Warm regards,
Marianna Kosaya
Children’s Choir Repertory Chair, IL-ACDA
Artistic Director, Campanella Children’s Choir
📧 [email protected]

🎤 Calling all passionate music educators!
We’re looking for enthusiastic and dedicated IL-ACDA members to join our 2025 State Board!

✨ Open Volunteer Positions:

R&R Chair

Tenor/Bass R&R Chair (Addendum)

Middle/Jr. High R&R Chair (Addendum)

District Representative

If you love connecting, inspiring, and leading within our choral community, we’d love to have your voice on the board! 🎵

📝 This form gives members of Illinois ACDA the opportunity to submit their names for consideration for these volunteer positions.

➡️ Apply now and help shape the future of choral music in Illinois!
🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckcWxAMWd6pwT_J4gnp-3N2BHZNLDCXlPh28AD5vwaB3VSPg/viewform

✨ IL-ACDA, in collaboration with William Ferris Chorale and MusicSpoke, is proud to announce the 2025 IL-ACDA Composer Award winner: Benjamin T. Martin! 🎶

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Benjamin T. Martin (b.1998) is a composer, singer, and musical collaborator based in Chicago, IL. While interested in all manner of expressive media, his love of the human voice, the written word, and musical storytelling is often at the center of his compositional orbit.

Martin’s works have been performed by ensembles throughout the country, including the Grossman Ensemble, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago Fellows, NEXUS Chamber Music, TAK Ensemble, Blackbox New Music, Lake Forest College choir and orchestra, and Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, among others. His work has also been featured at a number of summer festivals, including New Music on the Point, VIVO Music Columbus (as the winner of the 2021 VIVO Innovation Grant), Brevard Summer Music festival, the EAMA Institute in Paris, and the Cortona Sessions for New Music. Recently, Benjamin was the recipient of a 2025 BMI Composer Award for his piece Unfurling Dances.

Benjamin received a BM from Oberlin Conservatory in Composition with a minor in Vocal Performance. While attending, he was the recipient of the 2022 Walter E. Aschaffenburg prize in Composition. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Chicago, where he studies with Augusta Read Thomas.

🎵Meet the Board🎵
We’re excited to introduce, Paul Nielsen! Paul helps steward our financial resources with care, in order for programs under IL-ACDA to thrive! ✨

We had an amazing day at the IL-ACDA Junior High Honor Chorus festival! Dr. Julie Clemens (IL Central College), along with Collab. Pianist Ryan Klaus, led a chorus of over 100 students with an infectious energy that culminated in an excellent performance! A huge THANK YOU and congratulations to Carol Munn, our JH/MS R&R Chair, for her work in organizing the festival!

🎵Meet the Board🎵
Today we’re celebrating Paul Laprade from VanderCook College of Music! ✨ Paul has served our community in MANY ways, including as a Past President of IL-ACDA.

🎵Meet the Board🎵
Say hello to Ben Luginbuhl, our President-Elect! We’re grateful for his leadership and commitment to the Illinois ACDA community.

🎵Meet the Board 🎵
We’re excited to introduce the Illinois ACDA Board, starting with our President, Amy Branahl! 💙 Stay tuned as we highlight the dedicated leaders who make our community thrive.

🌟 Help Us Support the Next Generation of Choral Leaders! 🌟

At Illinois American Choral Directors Association, we believe change starts with people like you. 💛

Every act of kindness, every dollar, and every moment of your time helps students learn, grow, and connect at our Summer ReTreat 2026.

✨ Last year, we provided $5,500 in subsidized registration for our members.
🎯 This year, our goal is to raise $10,000 so we can keep costs down and support even more members and college students.

How You Can Help:
1️⃣ Donate – Every dollar counts.
2️⃣ Share – Spread the word with friends, family, and on social media.

💻 Find the link in our bio to donate and learn more.

💌 Thank you for your support!

📣 Reminder: 2025 IL-ACDA Composer Award – Submissions Due August 1!

Composers in ACDA’s Midwestern Region — don’t forget to submit your materials for this exciting opportunity in collaboration with the William Ferris Chorale and MusicSpoke.

✅ $1,000 prize
✅ Commissioned choral work
✅ Premiere in Chicago – Winter 2026

🗓 Deadline: August 1, 2025
🔗 Apply here: tinyurl.com/composeraward25
📩 Questions? Email [email protected]