New Oregon Focus Editor
Tina Bull, Editor, Oregon Choral Focus

I am pleased to join the Oregon ACDA board this fall as the new editor of the Choral Focus. I want to express gratitude from all of us in this organization for Julie Adkins’ many years serving as editor extraordinaire.

I also want to thank Doris Sjolund for stepping in and producing such fine publications during her interim. There is strong tradition of excellence in the Choral Focus publication and I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of those two fine women.

Helping me with design, layout, and printing is Bekki Levien. Bekki is a freelance graphic designer in Corvallis, producing programs, posters, web sites, and flyers for the OSU Department of Music and other clients. We respect and appreciate her artistry and skill with visual design. Most of my decision to accept the role of editor was dependent upon Bekki’s willingness to be our graphic designer. She can be reached at: theleviens@comcast.net. Thank you, Bekki!

Needless to say, the Choral Focus is nothing without contributions from our state board members and R & S chairs. They are generous with their time and creativity, providing thought-provoking articles for others to learn from and enjoy. As you read through this journal, please consider offering something you may wish to share with others.

I welcome guest articles and features that you find interesting and meaningful. You may have experienced a wonderful workshop, read an excellent book, or created a special concert that others would benefit from reading about. Your contribution does not need to be rigorously researched in order for us to learn from it. Please send me something to share and I may use it in a future publication.

It would be marvelous to receive photographs, “this I know” articles, advertisements, or suggestions for improvement of the Choral Focus. I encourage you to write me. Our next deadline for contributions will be February 29, 2009.

In this publication, you will enjoy reading about Steve Peter’s experiences at the Dalcroze Training Center at Carnegie Mellon University. Sue Schreiner reminds us how important it is to consider our great fortune working in the powerful field of choral music as well as sharing our love of music with students and other musicians. Kim Kroeger encourages us to advocate for music so that current and future generations of students can experience and benefit from the powerful art of choral music. And, there is much more.

Be sure to read Richard Nance’s article about the loss of membership in ACDA nationally. Our state president, Russ Otte, has issued a challenge incentive just for you, in response to Nance’s call for new members.

Please consider how you can serve ACDA’s Oregon chapter this year. You might attend a workshop, recruit new members, share your wisdom, and go to others’ concerts! Help us find and maintain good relationships with advertisers and support your local music stores. There is so much you can do.

I look forward to working for and with you and I am excited to begin my new tenure as Editor of the Choral Focus.