How’d we get to “What’s the big IDEA?”

Amy Johnson

How’d we get to “What’s the big IDEA?” And where do we go from here?

When ACDA-MN started the Diversity Initiatives Committee in fall of 2020, Minnesota was in a time of reckoning. The starting members of the committee were wise in their understanding that the work would be slow in order for it to last. We knew we needed conversation that allowed everyone to be wherever they were at in their journey of understanding these complex issues. We created our first mission statement to guide our conversation and work. Who was missing? How do we get them to the table and how do we help them understand their voice is necessary and helpful?

The biggest change is that now an IDEA committee member sits on every subcommittee of the board of ACDA-MN and is paying attention and asking questions for every decision made at every level. Have you noticed choir name changes? Location changes? Intentional sponsoring of a wider variety of events? Invited versus auditioned choirs at conference? More time spent in collaboration and discussion at conference/dialogue? None of these changes were single handedly brought about by this committee. But someone asked questions and people started to collaborate and create change.

I am proud of the way the concepts of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access have been integrated into the daily thinking of ACDA-MN – a far cry from where we started. I am proud of the visionary start, creation, and fruition of the IDEA Grants. The intentional building of a wider community as part of that process is invaluable to our growth and sustenance as an organization. I am grateful for the work Jamie Andrews does to thoughtfully examine and discuss the operating structures of ACDA-MN with fresh eyes and a new lens.

It feels like now is a good time to remember what we can achieve when we walk together to reach a goal. These changes did not come fast enough for some members. These changes have felt uncomfortable and too quick for others. No pace will ever be right for everyone but if the process builds the product, then we’re on our way to success. You might resonate with this too- a sense that you know you’ve made progress, but is it enough? Of course it is- you are enough. Creating systemic change is messy and hard (when you consider the effect on others while you strategize how best to do this). If we continue creating more equitable and inclusive spaces where all people can access acceptance, joy, and musical fulfillment, then we are demonstrating leadership in the sacred space of healing our community.

Even with all these wonderful advances, I remain hungry to see and hear more direct conversation around the way barriers exist within our field, within ACDA-MN, and how we are going to address them. If you sometimes feel like you might be the only person thinking about these things in your work – you are not alone! I work on the daily to create democratic leadership within the choral rehearsal in small moments and in big ways. However you are working this into your rehearsals- it is worth it! What better microcosm for people to experience democracy than a musical one? Keep pushing, keep reinventing, keep challenging the way you (and your singers) think “choir” must “be”.

As the ACDA-MN board, led fearlessly by Stephanie Trump, reviewed bylaws and constitutional changes over this past winter, it became clear that many barriers were still present in old language. We operated differently from how the constitution was written, but it was a reminder to me of the importance of ensuring there is language that allows all to participate in ACDA-MN in our founding documents. We took a good step in accepting the initial changes in the last election (yay, democracy!) and the board is continuing this work into the remainder of this calendar year.

If you want to be part of that conversation- ask! If you have continued questions about how decisions are made- ask! If you want to be on one of the many subcommittees of the board – ask! There is much to do and the more viewpoints we have the better our answers will be. If you’re not sure who to ask- ask me!

As we continue to weave IDEA work into the fabric of our organization, I am sure we will become stronger. Stay curious. Stay involved. Let’s continue to create a bigger table where our values around equity, inclusion, diversity, and access are never in doubt.

¹ “The mission of the Diversity Initiatives Committee is to foster diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of our organization through active engagement with underrepresented choral musicians and potential choral participants.” Created June 29, 2021.