Ep. #27 - October 2026 (ft. Dustin Cates and Jenny Bent)

This month, Steve welcomes both nominees for ACDA’s National Repertoire and Resources (R&R) Chair: **Dustin Cates and Jenny Bent**. In separate interviews, they share their experiences with ACDA, discuss their visions for the future of R&R, and explore ways to help members discover repertoire, access meaningful resources, and connect across the choral profession. ACDA members will vote for the position in early 2027. In this month’s **Into the Archives**, Steve revisits ACDA’s collection of recorded webinars, featuring topics ranging from changing voices and choir recruitment to collaboration between composers and poets. For the **R&R Quick Pick**, Jenny Bent introduces *There Will Be Songs* by Christina Rasmussen Collins, a beautiful work for SATB voices with lush harmonies and opportunities for expressive musical line. Continuing our **Why Do We Sing?** series, Steve reflects on an article by Alissa Dorman about helping students develop a deeper understanding of why they make music—and how listening, articulating, and contemplating can help singers connect with music’s meaning. And in this month’s **Did You Know?** segment, Steve shares opportunities for the 2027 ACDA National Conference, including early-bird registration, the Research Poster Session, the Steven M. Demorest Research Grant, and the Outstanding ACDA Student Chapter Award. Plus, a few updates from ACDA and a reminder to subscribe,follow, and join the conversation. **🎧 Stay Connected** Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, including ApplePodcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Castbox, iHeartRadio, and more. Have feedback, future guest ideas, or your own answer to **Why We Sing?** Email [**acdapodcast@acda.org**](mailto:acdapodcast@acda.org). Join the **ACDA Podcast Listeners** Facebook group tocontinue the conversation. Follow the podcast on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562971310243⁠ Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acdapodcast/⁠ Website: https://acda.org Join or log in to your ACDA profile: https://acda.org/login   **LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:** **ACDA website:** https://acda.org **Choral Journal:** https://acda.org/publications/choral-journal **National Conference Registration:** https://my.acda.org/s/lt-event?id=a1YWP000002Mx3V2AS#/Home **Repertoire and Resources page:** https://acda.org/repertoire/ **R&R Quick Pick: There Will Be Songs**, SATBand piano, by Kristina Rasmussen Collins; https://www.lorenz.com/shop/school-and-community-choral/octavos/there-will-be-songs?fbclid=IwY2xjawL4jDtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhME5qNE14ekI4QzcxMFh3AR78qw1XChgGXvcnfP2ZkqUUw7073v5j51\yO5tk--wLCHlK6NXG95KrPsBogw\aem\saO\62p90KuV5y2OTW9Sbg    **R&R Chairs:** https://acda.org/about-us/acda-leadership **Steven M. Demorest Research Grant:** https://choralnet.org/archives/acda-news/steven-m-demorest-research-grant **Outstanding Student Chapter Award:** https://acda.org/resources-for-student-members/outstanding-acda-student-chapter-award