CALL FOR INTEREST SESSIONS and POSTER SESSIONS

INTEREST SESSIONS

The ACDA Western Region (WACDA) welcomes submissions for innovative, applicable and inspiring interest sessions for our 2026 conference. We encourage submissions that address the conference theme A Tapestry of Voices, the depth and breadth of our membership and sessions that actively engage participants. All topics will receive consideration and will be evaluated for scholarly content, variety, innovation, value, pedagogical strength, and relativity to current trends in the choral profession. A detailed rubric for evaluating proposals will be provided on the conference website.

All proposals must be submitted online. Please follow the steps and considerations below to prepare and submit your proposal.

1. Session Title: The title should be carefully crafted, brief, reflective of the session’s content, and be no longer than 60 characters and ready to appear in the app/conference program.

2. Session Abstract: A succinct thesis that addresses (1) a topic that will be helpful and/or inspire the membership, (2) a clear description of the session, and (3) learning outcomes. Please submit the following using the application form:

a. No more than an 1800-character description, which will be used in the conference app.

b. No more than a 900-character description, which will be used in the Choral Journal announcement

c. A brief outline in bullet points or a standard outline of your session (limit two pages). Upload pdf in the application form

3. Submissions will only be considered from current members of ACDA.  Lapsed or non-members will not be considered.

4. Presenters submitting multiple proposals, if selected, will only be allowed to participate in one presentation. This includes being a co-presenter.

5. For group presentations, no more than 5 people, including a moderator are allowed. Only the originally submitted names in the application, may present. If a presenter within a team must withdraw from the presentation, no substitutions will be allowed.

6. Indicate if this session would require a demonstration choir. All demonstration choirs must be adjudicated.

a. If you wish to bring your own demonstration choir, submit the following:

Three audio submissions. They should include representative examples of the choir’s performances in each of the last three academic years (September through August). Each recording should be a complete work and should be no more than 3-5 minutes in length.

1. one selection from the 2024–25 academic year or 2025 calendar year; 

2. one selection from the 2023–24 academic year or 2024 calendar year; 

3. one selection from the 2022–23 academic year or 2023 calendar year.

b. If you prefer to request a demonstration choir from selected performing ensembles, please indicate that in the submission.

In addition, you will be asked to provide the following information:

1. Indicate if you would like your session to be considered for the best practice poster session if not selected for presentation.

2. Session Target Audience/Area of Interest. Select one primary and one secondary audience.

a. Classroom/General Music

b. Elementary Choral

c. Middle School/Jr. High

d. High School

e. 2-Year College

f. University

g. Community

h. Vocal Jazz

i. Show Choir

j. Music in Worship

k. Composers/Composition

l. Other

3. Indicate if a demonstration choir will be a part of your session. Provide the name of the ensemble and conductor. Please note: If you plan to use a demonstration choir, you must also submit an application for the choir within the interest session application. (please see # 6 above for specific information).

4. Equipment needs. Every room will have a projector and screen for audio and video. All other equipment requests must be listed on your proposal. Please note: Not all rooms at the conference center will have a piano. If you do not request a piano on your application, then we may not be able to accommodate this request at a later date.

5. Contact information including name, email, phone, address, and name of school/institution.

6. ACDA membership number. Please note: All applicants/presenters at an ACDA Conference must be current members of ACDA; must be members at time of selection and membership shall not expire on or before the last day of the Conference.

POSTER SESSIONS

 The ACDA Western Region invites submissions for research and best practice poster presentations. We encourage submissions that address the conference theme A Tapestry of Voices, the diversity of our membership, and are theoretically grounded. Presenters will also have the option to participate in a private small group mentoring session before the poster session.

All proposals must be submitted online.

Research Posters:

Submissions involving quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, historical, or philosophical topics related to any aspect of the music teaching and learning process will be considered. Graduate students who are working on or who have completed theses, dissertations, or monographs are encouraged to submit their work for consideration.

Best Practice Posters:

Submissions describing teaching practices, programs, or any aspect of teaching and learning will be considered. Submissions should include a summary of the topic and a description of the context in which it has been or can be implemented if applicable. Topics can include, but are not limited to: instructional strategies, teaching techniques, composition techniques, literature/programming suggestions, choral/vocal pedagogy, technology, classroom management, curriculum design, retention, recruitment, advocacy, assessment, and evaluation.

Please follow the steps below to prepare and submit your proposal.

1. Prepare a description or bulleted outline of your poster presentation not to exceed 1800 characters. Upload a PDF
2. Poster title to appear in the conference program if selected.

In addition, you will be asked to provide the following information:

1. Contact information including name, email, phone, address, and name of school/institution.
2. Mentor Session: Are you interested in meeting one hour before your poster session with a mentor from your poster area? Past private sessions have been small groups or 1:1 dependent upon the area of expertise. Indicate if you would like to meet with a mentor before your poster session.
3. ACDA membership number. Please note: All applicants/presenters at an ACDA Conference must be current members of ACDA; must be members at time of selection and membership shall not expire on or before the last day of the Conference.

• ACDA does not offer compensation or artistic fees for presenters. All related expenses will be the responsibility of the presenter.
• Presenters are expected to officially register for the conference event at the posted registration rates.

Application and Information Timeline:

Application opening in February 2025

Applications for Interest and Poster Sessions Due: April 1, 2025

• Help desk support is available until 5:00pm central time on April 1, 2025. After that time, no support will be provided, even if technical issues are encountered. The help desk can be reached at . Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead to ensure they can complete the submission process. The platform assigns each submission a number to ensure confidentiality. An incomplete upload of the application materials listed below will not be considered. Late submissions will not be accepted for any reason.

Letters of Acceptance/Rejection Sent to Applicants starting: June 15, 2025

Information Letter to Presenters: Mid-August 2025

Any changes to Presenters’ Bios/Info Due: September 1, 2025

Demonstration Choir Photos for Choral Journal/ACDA App Due: September 25, 2025

Information Letter to Presenters: Mid-November 2025

Final Information Letter to Presenters: Early February 2026