Welcome from President Jane Powell

It is my distinct honor to welcome you to the Alabama Vocal Association website. As you may have read on the homepage, the stated mission of the Alabama Vocal Association is to provide a variety of educational experiences for students that will encourage their lifetime appreciation of and participation in the art of choral music. Our purposes include promoting cooperation among choral directors, enhancing the programs of vocal music in the schools, providing a means for professional ideas and methods to be shared, and promoting growth and higher standards in music education throughout the state.

It is my goal as your AVA President to keep this mission in the forefront as we move forward together. Our service to the students of Alabama should be the moving force behind everything we do. We strive to offer our students the richest possible choral music education so that their lives are forever positively influenced. It is our hope that every student in the state who desires a choral music education is afforded the opportunity.

The AVA governing board met for four days in June to evaluate our policies and align the handbook for all events and festivals. Based on the wishes of the membership, the name State Choral Performance Assessment was chosen for the yearly assessment. No policy was set, changed, or adjusted without sufficient input from each district chair.

As a board, we are committed to serving the choral directors by offering growth opportunities and providing positive encouragement for the individual school choral programs. As a response to the uncertainty in our economic base which is putting more and more of our programs in jeopardy, I decided to create a Presidential Council for Arts Advocacy, designed to help keep the vocal arts programs in Alabama alive and strong, as well as give guidance to beginning music educators. Past presidents of AVA, who have a wealth of experience, knowledge and encouragement, have been chosen to serve on this council, and its chair will serve on the AVA board as liaison.

AVA offers many opportunities for growth, and we will begin this school year with the annual Fall Workshop on September 10-11, 2010, at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood. Dr. Jefferson Johnson will lead the clinic sessions. He has much to offer on rehearsal, warm-up, and conducting strategies as he incorporates different learning styles. His experience in the classroom also provides encouragement to young teachers. He will share ideas on choosing music that will help conserve funds in an uncertain economy. It should be a great time of learning and refueling from a positive, energetic educator.

The Alabama Vocal Association stands ready to serve you. We encourage you to involve your students in all AVA events. We also encourage you to communicate through your district chair anything you feel needs board attention.

I wish for you a great year in choral music!