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I would like to encourage you to send a few of your students who you think would be great choral directors.  These may or may not be your best singers, and may or may not be considering a career in music, but are great leaders with a passion for choral music.  Many times these kids are so good in so many things that they are getting pushed to be doctors, lawyers, or other "professionals", but you know they would be great in our profession.  NextDirection will put these students in contact with passionate choral professionals as well as college music education majors, who will serve as chaperones for the weekend.

Dr. Shangkuan will be directing the conference choir, with the chaperones acting as section leaders.  Along with the large group rehearsals, the students will be going to mini-sessions dealing with conducting, surviving a college music degree, the future of choral conducting, and a round table discussion on the "Nitty Gritty" of the choral profession.  The college chaperones will also be very involved with evening activities.

I am very excited about this year's conference, and I know that you have students who would benefit greatly from this experience. Please consider who you would recommend for this event, you will not regret it. If I can answer any questions, please let me know.

Herb Berendsen
NextDirection 2008 Chair
Director of Vocal Music
Music Department Head
Oshkosh West High School
920-424-4949

Complete "Next Direction 2008" brochure (460 KB)  PDF