Something to Sing About
You may just hear singing on the streets of Cincinnati this weekend!
“Thousands of choral directors, composers, administrators, and singers of all ages from across the country will travel to Cincinnati for the 2023 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conference, and it is fitting that Cincinnati, the ‘City that Sings,’ is host to this reunion,” says Steven Sunderman, executive director of the May Festival.
More than 8,000 people are expected for the organization's first in-person national conference since the pandemic.
The theme for ACDA 2023 is “A Place of Belonging,” through music, community and humanity, as attendees are welcomed back to a place to celebrate diversity and affinities, eliminate barriers, and inspire each other towards collective action.
“We are proud to welcome the musicians, directors, educators and enthusiasts of ACDA to the Cincy region, as choral music is such a rich part of our heritage,” said Julie Calvert, president and CEO of Visit Cincy. “When we first booked this event, it was right on the heels of hosting the extraordinarily popular the World Choir Games in 2012. ACDA choosing Cincinnati is an example of how earning an excellent reputation as a host city has lasting effects in our region.”
Some of Cincinnati's finest arts organizations will entertain attendees over the course of four days, including the Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Boychoir, CCM Chamber Choir and May Festival Chorus.
“We’re also delighted that the May Festival Chorus and the CSO will be one of the headlining performances of the ACDA conference this season, May Festival’s 150th anniversary,” says Sundersman. “We are honored to share music and show off our vibrant city as we welcome the national choral music community to Cincinnati for the conference.”
Events during the national conference will be held across the Cincinnati region, including the Duke Energy Convention Center, Aronoff Center, Music Hall and the Plum Street Temple.
The event is expected to have an $8.6 million economic impact in total business sales in the Cincy region, which will support 1,150 local jobs.
Find out more about ACDA, including performances, at acda.org/archives/events/2023-national-conference.