The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) has named three new national Repertoire and Resources chairs: Dr. Jason Paulk, College and University Choirs National Chair; Dr. Damion Womack, Senior High School Choirs National Chair; and Dr. Jason Bishop, Students Activities National Chair.
Dr. Paulk is director of choral activities and professor of music at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where he conducts the University Singers, Chamber Singers, and Swanee Singers ensembles, and teaches conducting and choral methods courses. His degrees include a D.M.A. from the University of Oklahoma, M.M. in conducting and M.M. in music education from Westminster Choir College, and B.M.E. from Stetson University.
Choirs under Dr. Paulk's direction have performed at Florida and New Mexico National Association for Music Education conferences, the 2009 ACDA national conference, and for audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and China. Dr. Paulk was the winner of the 1997 ACDA Undergraduate Student Conducting Competition and was recently awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching at Eastern New Mexico University.
In response to learning of his appointment, Dr. Paulk said, "I look forward to continuing the outstanding work that Dr. Joey Martin established during his tenure as College and University Repertoire and Resources Chair for ACDA. It is a genuine honor to serve my colleagues, and I hope to be a part of ACDA's continued success."
Dr. Paulk joins a team of national Repertoire and Resources chairs who are specialists in a variety of areas, including choir types (like junior high/middle school choirs or community choirs) and repertoire-specific areas (such as contemporary/commercial or vocal jazz). National chairs are selected for their experience and expertise in their particular area. Their leadership duties include collaborating in selecting music that is to be presented in reading sessions at ACDA national conferences, serving on audition panels for choirs that apply to perform at national conferences, and in general providing leadership in their area of expertise.
ACDA's executive director, Dr. Tim Sharp, noted, when announcing the appointments, "We are delighted with the appointment of professionals of the caliber of these three new chairs, and look forward to the innovative leadership that they will bring to ACDA."
About ACDA: American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is made up of approximately 20,000 members who represent more than 1 million singers across the country. ACDA members conduct and teach a range of choirs, including school and university-based choirs, community choral groups, professional ensembles, and music in worship. ACDA's mission is to inspire excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition and advocacy.
