Opus 1
The initial activities of ACDA included the structuring of geographic divisions paralleling MENC’s regional divisions. In the spring of 1966, Dr. Howard Swan, ACDA Western Division Chairman, invited several choral conductors in the area to an afternoon meeting at Occidental College. There were thirty to forty directors who attended. It was held in the choral room, and Howard’s Occidental Glee Club performed for us. Afterwards, he discussed the art of choral music and the role that he predicted ACDA would play in fostering choral music in America and perhaps throughout the world. A few weeks following this meeting, Gene received a call from Howard to come to his home. Howard asked Gene if he would be interested in assuming the leadership of the ACDA Western Division. Gene inquired about the responsibilities, and Howard replied. “There are no guidelines, no history, no budget, and you can take it wherever you like.” After a few weeks of contemplation, Gene told Howard he would accept his invitation. (Note: In the first few years, officers were not elected by the membership.)

Opus 2
In 1967, Gene assumed the responsibilities of the first ACDA Western Division Presidency. (Title was changed from Chairman to President.) Having attended the early meetings of the ACDA National Conferences in Kansas City, he planned an all-day conference at Rio Hondo College, Whittier, CA in the spring of 1968, and followed the format of the national conference — outstanding performing groups and guest speakers. Approximately one hundred directors attended. (Howard was right… there was no budget, no guidelines, no assistance…it was a solo endeavor.) State presidents were appointed for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah, and the division presidents became a part of the ACDA National Board that met in Kansas City prior to the National office moving to Lawton, OK. On January 30 and 31, 1970, the first independent ACDA Western Division Conference was held in Knuth Hall at San Francisco State University and was planned and chaired by Gene Simmonds. About four hundred and fifty directors attended, and several groups from the division were invited to perform.