"The Best of Florida"

The theme of this year's state ACDA convention at Seminole State College in Lake Mary was "The Best of Florida -- a celebration of the choral tradition in the sunshine state", which featured clinicians, conductors and composers who all had significant ties to Florida.  Highlights were the exceptional Charles Robinson, who always inspires and moves me, and a performance by Cora Bella, the advanced women's choir at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, co-directed by Andrew Minear and Sandy Hinckley.  Though there were wonderful performances all weekend, theirs on Friday night was stunning and their performance of my RADIANT SISTER OF THE DAY is now the standard to which all other performances must be measured.  Brava to all!  I was also surprised and honored to receive the Wayne Hugoboom Distinguished Service Award for "dedicated service, leadership and consistent examples of excellence in choral music in Florida", Florida ACDA's highest accolade.  My sincere thank you to all my friends and colleagues.