The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) has named Nathan Dame its new national Repertoire & Resources (R&R) chair for Junior High & Middle School Choirs.
Mr. Dame is in his eleventh year of teaching choral music and serves as director of choirs at Burnett Junior High School in Wylie, Texas. Dame holds a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Kansas, and a M.A. in music education from Texas Women’s University. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in music education, with an emphasis in choral pedagogy and a minor in leadership and administration at the University of Kansas.
In response to news of the appointment, Dame stated “I am honored to serve the outstanding junior high and middle school choral directors throughout the country as our new ACDA chair. I have taught at this level for nearly all of my career and am incredibly passionate about music excellence among young adolescents, who are capable of so much.” He added, “I hope to continue highlighting the outstanding programs, teachers, and pedagogical techniques of our members and look forward to being an advocate for students and directors.”
Choirs under Dame’s direction have consistently earned superior ratings at regional and state contests, have been named Overall Outstanding and Grand Champion in choral competitions throughout Texas, and have rapidly expanded in enrollment to become some of the largest choral programs in their area. An active presenter, clinician-conductor, author, and adjudicator, he has appeared in numerous conferences. He has published articles in a range of publications, and conducted honor choirs at the district, regional, and international levels, serving most recently as the Middle School Tenor-Bass Choir clinician-conductor at the 23rd International Choral Festival in Bangkok, Thailand. Dame has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching, including the North Texas Children’s Choir Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Dame joins a team of national R&R chairs who are specialists in a variety of areas, including choir types (like high 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, Tim Sharp, noted, when announcing the news, “I am delighted with the appointment of Nathan Dame to this important leadership role, and look forward to his leadership in this area of our work.”
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.
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