Author: Derrick Fox

Hello, MWACDA Choral Directors! We are embarking on an exciting project to showcase the rich talent of choral composers from the Midwest. Our goal is to create a YouTube playlist featuring new and inspiring choral works from our region, and we need your help! Do you know a talented choral composer from the Midwest? Perhaps you've come across a beautiful piece of choral music written by a composer from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. We want to hear about it! How You Can Contribute: Submit a Composer: If you know a composer or a piece of choral music that deserves to be featured, please share their name and any relevant information (e.g., links to their work, brief bio, etc.). Share Your Favorites:…

Dr. Jo Ann Miller North Dakota State University: Director of Choral Activities; University Distinguished Professor Since 1989, Jo Ann Miller has been director of choral activities at North Dakota State University. She conducts the Concert Choir and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and choral literature. Her involvement in the American Choral Director’s Association includes North Dakota state president, newsletter editor, repertoire and standards chair for the university level, audition chair for the 2006 North Central convention, program chair for the 2008 North Central convention, and search committee member for the national executive director. She served as North Central division president from 2006 through 2008 and is currently the national treasurer and member of the Executive Board from 2009-2017. As director of choral activities at NDSU, her choirs tour…

Mark Lehmann, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & Choir: Chancel Choir Director Mark Lehmann’s music education career has taken him all over the state of Iowa since his first school teaching job in 1974. In the past 41 years, Lehmann has taught at both the high school and college levels. He retired from high school teaching in 2010 to take an adjunct professor position at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Before teaching at Wartburg, Lehmann worked as a vocal music instructor at Waverly-Shell Rock High School in Waverly, Iowa, from 1996 to 2010. Prior to that, Lehmann held the same position at Hampton-Dumont Community Schools in Hampton, Iowa from 1979 to 1996. Lehmann had 172 students chosen for Iowa All-State Choir while at Waverly-Shell Rock, and five students were selected for…