About Dr. Andrea Ramsey Dr. Andrea Ramsey enjoys an international presence as a composer, conductor, scholar, and music educator. Her teaching experiences range from work with adolescent and children’s voices to high school and collegiate voices. She enjoys regular opportunities to conduct all-state and divisional level honor choirs, festival events at Carnegie Hall, and served as a principal conductor for the Pacific International Young Women’s Choral Festival in Eugene, Oregon and conducted the National ACDA Junior High/Middle School Honor Choir in 2023. Before leaping into full time composing and guest conducting, Andrea held positions in music education and conducting at The Ohio State University and the University of Colorado, respectively. An ASCAP Plus award-winning composer, Andrea believes strongly in the creation of new works. Her compositions are available with traditional publishers and also through MusicSpoke, a digital sheetmusic marketplace. She enjoys residency collaborations with ensembles and festival choirs, some of which have included: the University of Oregon, the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City, and the Crescent City Choral Festival in New Orleans. As a scholar, she has presented for state, divisional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the 6th Annual Symposium on Sociology in Music Education, as well as The Phenomenon Singing Symposium in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. She has co-authored articles published in the Choral Journal, as well as the Journal of Research in Music Education. A native of Arkansas, she has experienced in her own life the power of music to provide a sense of community, better understanding of our humanity, and rich opportunities for self-discovery. |
Guidelines for presenting
CCDA welcomes submissions for innovative, applicable and inspiring interest sessions for our 2025 summer conference. We encourage sessions of all types that address the diversity of our membership and that actively engage participants. All topics will receive consideration, but please keep in mind that the majority of attendees tend to be choral music educators at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Topics will be evaluated based upon their content and the needs of the conference this year. Registration and Travel Information It is understood that CCDA will not assume financial responsibility for travel, food, lodging for presenters or interest session participants. This proposal implies that the presenter is prepared to travel and present at the conference if accepted. Session Presenter Expectations: Presenters must be current members of ACDA/CCDA, willing to grant CCDA rights to record their presentation, and allow CCDA to use such recordings to advance the mission of CCDA. Please note that all accepted presenters are expected to meet ALL posted dates and deadlines. We reserve the right to make adjustments to any session that does not meet deadlines. Questions about ECCO?
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From Our 2024 Summer Conference
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Highlights at ECCO:
Interested in Continuing Education Units? |
ECCO HeadlinerDr. Anthony Trecek-King is a highly acclaimed choral conductor, scholar, pedagogue, and media personality with a career spanning over 20 years. He is an active guest conductor and serves as a Resident Conductor (chorus) with the Handel and Haydn Society. As former Artistic Director of the Boston Children's Chorus, he has elevated voices, transcended barriers, and championed social change through the harmonious unity of diverse communities. PricingRegistration
Additional Interest Sessions
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Trecek-King SessionsImproving Choral Tuning Through Inner Ear Training One of the most important asset any musician can have is a “good ear”. But we often assume that the ear develops on its own. In this interactive workshop we will explore tips and techniques that can be used throughout rehearsal to develop the singers ear. By using mental imagery to hear with our minds ear and sing with our minds voice, your singers will have improved intonation, be better sight readers, will learn music faster and retain more from every rehearsal. Building An Effective Gesture Conducting is a form of non-verbal communication. It tells a story, provides security, and, most importantly, should be clear and not burden the performers with extraneous information. A conductor’s gestures can dramatically affect an ensemble’s sound. Additionally, a clear and effective gesture is even more important for new and developing singers. Therefore, the ability to communicate nuances of phrasing and expression through gesture is a crucial part of working with any ensemble. Skills Not Songs: Mind, Body and Soul In this opening session, we will explore the essence of choral music beyond the notes on the page. We'll dive into the philosophy of building skills, not just teaching songs. We'll discuss how singing isn't solely about vocal technique or musicality; it's a holistic experience that engages the mind, body, and soul. Participants will be encouraged to embrace a pedagogy that fosters skill development and personal growth. Together, we'll rediscover the joy and depth of choral music, inspiring a new generation of musicians. Building the Room: Creating an Environment Where All Can Thrive Choral music thrives on the foundation of relationships. Just as a healthy choir depends on strong connections, so does a healthy society. In this transformative workshop, we delve into the concept of "building the room." Discover how to cultivate an inclusive space where a sense of belonging flourishes, fostering authentic connections that transcend our differences. Singing with Soul: Empowering Singers to Embrace Expression From "Building the Room" to dynamic activities, and singing exercises, singers will learn to break free from inhibitions, tap into authentic emotions, and infuse their performances with soulful expression. This workshop explores the power of body language, stage presence, and vocal techniques to connect deeply with audiences. The Silent Canon The history of western classical music is often experienced through a narrow lens that leaves out important figures and works of art. This begs the question…who do we celebrate and why? In this workshop, we will explore classical music from composers of African descent, highlighting their stories and their music. |
