A Season of Reflection, Renewal, and Celebration
As the academic year comes to a close and performance seasons wind down, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you, our incredible educators, conductors, and collaborators across the Midwestern region. Whether you’ve just stepped off the podium for your final concert, turned in final grades, or are still wrapping up your work with students and singers, I hope you can pause to recognize the impact of your work and the lives you’ve touched this year.
This season offers us a crucial opportunity: to rest, recharge, and reconnect, with ourselves and with what brings us joy. In our profession, we are often driven by the need to pour into others, into our ensembles, students, institutions, and communities. But let me gently remind you: your well-being matters just as much. Protect your passion for music, education, connection, and community by intentionally investing in your own wellness. Filling your own cup is not selfish, it’s essential.
I also want to express my immense gratitude and excitement about the upcoming Midwestern ACDA Conference. The number of submissions we received this year was both inspiring. Thank you to Zack Durlam, our Performing Choirs Chair, and Libby Hainrihar, our Interest Session Chair, for their thoughtful leadership and for guiding their adjudication panels. Your efforts are building something truly special for Milwaukee in 2026.
I continue to be energized by how our region is coming together. Every month, I’ve made an effort to highlight the great work happening in our individual states through these newsletters. I understand schedules get hectic, and I haven’t received content from every state. Life is coming fast at us all these days! These roles are volunteer positions, and most of us are juggling ACDA commitments after the work that supports our families and communities is done.
So here is my challenge and invitation to you: help us celebrate the good work happening across our region. In the coming months, I will create a mechanism for you to share what you’re proud of (no board title or leadership position required). You matter. And your voice deserves to be part of this collective celebration. When we lift up the work happening in each state, we celebrate us, the diverse, dynamic, and devoted choral community that makes MWACDA shine.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge that this newsletter comes to you later than usual. I recently experienced a personal loss in my family and simply didn’t have the capacity to compile things in the usual timeframe. This is not a call for sympathy, it is a reminder. A reminder to nurture the human condition within each of us and to honor the humanity in others. Don’t wait to give someone their flowers. Tomorrow is not promised. So I ask: To whom can you give their flowers today?
Wishing you rest, reflection, and renewal in the weeks ahead.
With gratitude and care,
Derrick Fox