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California Choral Directors Association (CCDA)
STATEMENT OF REAFFIRMATION & COMMITMENT TO
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, ACCESS & BELONGING
The California Choral Directors Association (CCDA) exists to uplift and empower the choral conductors and singers of California. In a time of heightened social and political instability, we remain steadfast in ensuring that the core tenets of our mission—diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging (DEIAB)—are not just ideals but guiding principles in every aspect of our work. We are committed to fostering choral music experiences that reflect and honor the diversity of our communities.
Our Commitment
Guidance & Support: We will actively support all California choral musicians by providing resources and mentorship by our DEIAB team for repertoire selection and programming that promote diverse voices and inclusive storytelling. This includes a complimentary review of programming or repertoire lists, if requested.
Access & Representation: We will make resources available to schools, churches, and community organizations to diversify their choral programs, ensuring that every singer—regardless of background—feels seen, valued, and empowered to sing. (Click here for suggested resources)
Safe & Brave Spaces: We pledge to create and uphold spaces where conductors and singers can engage in meaningful, courageous conversations that challenge barriers and drive equity forward.
Ongoing Accountability: We will continuously evaluate and refine our programs, processes, and publications through the lens of DEIAB, ensuring that our impact is both intentional and lasting.
We will not waver in our commitment to making choral spaces more equitable, more inclusive, and more transformative for all singers. This work is ongoing, and CCDA stands resolute in ensuring that every voice—on stage and behind the podium—has a place, a purpose, and a future that honors and respects all voices.
This statement was collaboratively crafted by the members of the CCDA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access and Belonging (DEIAB) Team and approved by the California Choral Directors Association Board of Directors on February 8, 2025.
Our Commitment
Guidance & Support: We will actively support all California choral musicians by providing resources and mentorship by our DEIAB team for repertoire selection and programming that promote diverse voices and inclusive storytelling. This includes a complimentary review of programming or repertoire lists, if requested.
Access & Representation: We will make resources available to schools, churches, and community organizations to diversify their choral programs, ensuring that every singer—regardless of background—feels seen, valued, and empowered to sing. (Click here for suggested resources)
Safe & Brave Spaces: We pledge to create and uphold spaces where conductors and singers can engage in meaningful, courageous conversations that challenge barriers and drive equity forward.
Ongoing Accountability: We will continuously evaluate and refine our programs, processes, and publications through the lens of DEIAB, ensuring that our impact is both intentional and lasting.
We will not waver in our commitment to making choral spaces more equitable, more inclusive, and more transformative for all singers. This work is ongoing, and CCDA stands resolute in ensuring that every voice—on stage and behind the podium—has a place, a purpose, and a future that honors and respects all voices.
This statement was collaboratively crafted by the members of the CCDA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access and Belonging (DEIAB) Team and approved by the California Choral Directors Association Board of Directors on February 8, 2025.
CCDA Statement on Diversity & Equity
The California Choral Directors Association (CCDA) Board of Directors and staff members commit to championing policies and practices of equity that empower just, inclusive, and equitable communities.
CCDA is committed to encouraging and welcoming diversity among its members, ensembles, within its administrative staff, its Board of Directors and for members of the community it serves.
CCDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy that an individual’s race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, and/or national origin are not and will not be considered in any personnel or management decisions. All candidates for open positions are evaluated based upon their qualifications, employment history and relevant experience.
All CCDA Committees adhere to the principles of inclusion and involvement of members representing the broad and diverse communities we serve.
CCDA’s Annual Business/Strategic Plan includes goals and objectives that directly address equity and diversity, including:
CCDA is committed to encouraging and welcoming diversity among its members, ensembles, within its administrative staff, its Board of Directors and for members of the community it serves.
CCDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy that an individual’s race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, and/or national origin are not and will not be considered in any personnel or management decisions. All candidates for open positions are evaluated based upon their qualifications, employment history and relevant experience.
All CCDA Committees adhere to the principles of inclusion and involvement of members representing the broad and diverse communities we serve.
CCDA’s Annual Business/Strategic Plan includes goals and objectives that directly address equity and diversity, including:
- Education and Community Engagement: Provide equity in access to all children and families in California’s communities through free or reduced cost programs, community partner collaborations, and inclusion and involvement of diverse leadership in the creation, implementation and assessment of all programs.
- Member Development: Provide people of all backgrounds access to our services and programs through performances and activities throughout California and/or through access initiatives that enable California’s diverse communities to attend concerts and events.
- Programming: Present diverse cultural, artistic, and educational programming and guest artists who encourage and support diversity. Repertoire lists for honor choirs and reading sessions always strive to reflect the diversity of the state of California.
- Board and Staff Development: Increase board and staff diversity via the cultivation of candidates from the full breadth of California’s diverse communities.
