Author: Luke McGinnis

Our 2026 Conference Guide is live inside the ACDA Conference App! Below you will find instructions on how to download the guide and access the detailed information about Reflections of Us 2026. You can access most features of the Conference Guide through the Guide’s web interface. You can also find download links to install the Guide to your mobile device on this website as well (upper right hand corner). Download and Installation Instructions Go to the App Store. Search for ACDA Conference App. Download and install the App. Once installed, open the App. In the bottom right hand corner, you will see Find Guides. It is a little house icon. Tap that. The Midwestern Region Guide may display as an option. If so, tap that and then tap Download Guide.  If the Guide…

The conference masterclass committee is delighted to announce that public masterclasses in conducting will be held during the 2026 Midwest  Region Conference in Milwaukee, WI. The masterclasses are offered to acknowledge and develop the conducting and rehearsal skills of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students and to promote student activity at the conference. We welcome and encourage applications from students in both small and large music programs. The masterclasses will offer a wonderful learning opportunity for everyone involved.  These masterclasses will engage undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled full-time in a music degree program. Applicants are not required to be enrolled in a conducting class at the time of application, only in a college/university music program. Conference registration fees will be waived for those selected to participate in the masterclasses. The…

ACDA Midwestern Region is honored to announce and welcome JOA CHOIR as a Headlining Ensemble for the 2026 Midwestern Region Conference: Reflections of Us! JOA CHOIR was founded in January 2016. Based in Busan and designated a professional arts organization by Busan Metropolitan City, this ladies' choir is guided by conductor Gun Yoon Lee. They interpret and perform a diverse repertoire—from classical to popular music, traditional Korean sounds, and jazz—through the distinctive beauty and delicacy of women’s voices. Pursuing a sound that stands apart from conventional female choirs, they offer a fresh model to Korea’s arts scene and are growing toward the global stage. In 2022, they drew strong attention as one of the most notable choirs on the audition TV show Sing For Gold, and in 2025, they won the Grand Prix at the Korea International Choral…

The 2026 Midwestern Conference theme, Reflections of Us, invites us to explore how choral music captures our collective voices—past, present, and future—honoring diverse traditions, shared experiences, and the ever-evolving tapestry of our art. As we lift our voices together, we reflect not only on the music but on each other—our communities, our challenges, and our triumphs—knowing that through song, we discover deeper connections and a greater understanding of who we are.Our biennial conference is one of the most prestigious choral gatherings in the United States, bringing together top choral professionals, educators, and musicians, primarily from the Midwestern region but also drawing attendees from across the country. It is a momentous occasion to celebrate choral artistry, exchange ideas, and inspire the next generation of musicians and leaders in the field. Registration…