On Oct. 29, selected students will find out if they have been accepted into the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). ACDA is an organization that hosts annual choral conferences, festivals, and events for students and choral directors to master their craft and grow as musicians. All of this is in accordance with the organization’s main goal to promote choral excellence. 

“[ACDA] broadens your horizon of singing,” New Trier High School Director of Choral Activities and President of Illinois ACDA Amy Branahl said. “Finding people who are like-minded, and who have the same passions as you, and being able to sing with 400 people who are the best singers in the region.” 

The audition process consists of three parts: a scale, an excerpt of one of the songs, and a song of choice, all which students submit to the organization as an audio recording. 

“What I really like about the audition is that it’s not videoed, so it really takes some bias out of the auditions,” Branahl said. “They’re really listening to your voice and what it sounds like.” 

In 2024, two students from New Trier were chosen through an audition process to attend the ACDA National convention in Dallas, Texas. Students are given musical pieces beforehand to perform at the convention, and then are expected to learn it at home or individually with their high school choral directors. When students arrive at the convention, they rehearse the pieces with professional conductors and composers before performing the pieces as part of a choir made up of high school students across the country.

“Since the musical pieces were so complicated, I really think it benefited my ability and confidence in choral music,” sophomore Ariel Vukas, who attended the National ACDA convention last year, said.

In addition to advancing their musical knowledge, students get to connect with people from all around the country. 

“[Students] get to work with an amazing conductor or composer who has a strong background in choral music as well as just conducting. They’re just really outstanding,” Branahl said. 

The event combines musical practice and the chance to socialize with choral students with different backgrounds.

“I met a lot of people from everywhere who inspired me, and they were all really nice,” Vukas said. “Going in, I didn’t really know what to expect, but overall it was a great experience, and I’m still in contact with the people that I met who live all over the country.” 

The ACDA choral conventions alternate between national and regional events. This year, the choral convention will be held from Feb. 26-28 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This year’s convention is regional—meaning people spanning from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin will all take part in the event.

“ACDA always provides an opportunity for you to see top level choirs perform, and you just get inspired and it makes you want to keep singing—and that’s what we hope for.” Branahl said.