School of Music alumni shine at 2014 Southern Division American Choral Directors Association conference

At the 2014 convention of the Southern Division American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in Jacksonville, the School of Music was well represented by its graduates. Forty percent of the performing choirs at the March conference, chosen by competitive blind auditions, were conducted by USC School of Music alumni. 

Performing choirs whose conductors are USC alumni:  

• Warren Cook, D.M.A. 1993, conducted the River Tree Singers, Greenville, S.C. 
• Timothy Powell, D.M.A. 2004, conducted The Davidson Chorale, Augusta, Georgia.
• Hilary Ridgley, M.M.E. 2004, was conductor of the Rochelle Women's Chorus, Lakeland, Florida.
• Eric Wilkinson, M.M. 2001, and Mary Elizabeth Goodson, B.M.E. 2009, conducted Wando High School Bel Canto, Lakeland, Florida.
• Damion Womack, D.M.A. candidate, was conductor of The Montgomery Academy Upper School Chorus, Montgomery, Alabama.
• Martha Shaw, D.M.A. 1999, conducted the Spivey Hall Children's Choir, Atlanta, Georgia.  

Interest sessions were conducted by:

• Matthew Caine, D.M.A. 2010, “Where 10 or 12 are Gathered”
• Alicia Walker, USC associate director of choral studies, “Service Learning and Choral Music”
• Larry Wyatt, USC director of choral studies, “Treasures of Southern Division Present Choral Gems” 

Founded in 1959, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nonprofit music education organization dedicated to the advancement of choral music. The mission of ACDA is to inspire excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition, and advocacy.