TCDA Proudly Announces Annual Awards

Choral excellence in worship Award

This award is reserved for a TCDA member that has had a career marked by excellence in church choral directing, has demonstrated creative/inspired use of the choral arts to heighten the worship experience and has had a positive influence on the congregation and the community. Nominations may be made by TCDA members and/or non-members and include two or more letters of recommendation.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Nominees are to be current members of TCDA
2. Career marked by excellence in church choral directing
3. Evidence of positive influence on the congregation and community

Choral Excellence Award

This award honors a TCDA member with 15 or more years of sustained choral leadership. This award is based on the recipient’s contribution to choral music in Texas; mentorship and inspiration to colleagues and students; and continued advocacy for the future of choral singing. Nominations are made by TCDA members and should include two or more letters of recommendation.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Active TCDA membership for at least 10 of the past 15 years.
2. Evidence of engagement through any of the following: convention attendance (in-person or virtual), which may include but not be limited to: service on committees, mentoring, publications, or regional/state leadership.

• Nominators may provide context if participation was limited (financial, caregiving, health, etc…)

3. Evidence of mentoring and influence of other choral directors

Choral Director of Distinction Award

This award honors a TCDA member with 10 or more years of teaching who demonstrates musical excellence and professional service. This award is given annually to a conductor who maintains high performance and literature standards, participates in TCDA activities through attendance and leadership, and promotes choral music in the community. Nominations are made by TCDA members and should include two or more letters of recommendation.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Active TCDA membership for at least 7 of the past 10 years
2. Evidence of engagement through any of the following: convention attendance (in-person or virtual), which may include but not be limited to: service on committees, mentoring, publications, or regional/state leadership.

• Nominees may provide context if participation was limited (financial, caregiving, health, etc…)

3. Record of high artistic standards relative to program content

Young Professionals Award

For directors with seven or fewer years of experience. This award recognizes TCDA members who have taught up to seven years and have achieved exceptional success and/or who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, creativity and community impact. Recognition may also include consideration of their effectiveness in a choral music setting in those first years. TCDA members in Elementary, MS/JH, HS and Worship/Community settings are eligible for this award. Recipients should be consistent members and participants in TCDA. 

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Active TCDA membership for at least 3 of the past 5 years
2. Evidence of distinction in one or more ways such as: program growth, student achievement (Honor Choir success, UIL, or equivalent), innovative rehearsal/programming, or service to TCDA and/or community
3. Distinction evaluated relative to the learning environment and resources

Innovative Programming Award

In recognition of the ingenuity and creativity of members in programming and the positive impact of such work on singers, audiences, and the choral art. TCDA seeks to celebrate members who expand the boundaries of choral performance through creativity, collaboration and accessibility. Recipients should be current members of TCDA. Self nominations are accepted along with two or more letters of support. Nominations may be made by TCDA members or non-members.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Current membership in TCDA

2. Evidence of innovation in at least one category:

• Repertoire Innovation (premieres, diverse composers, thematic projects)
• Collaborative Innovation (interdisciplinary, inter-school, community partnerships)
• Access Innovation (expanding opportunities in under-resourced or non-traditional setting)

3. Nominators should describe innovation relative to program resources

Choral Advocacy Award

TCDA recognizes that the choral arts flourish because of the care and commitment of a vast network of artists, teachers, and administrators throughout our state. TCDA wishes to honor individuals, organizations  or institutions making a lasting impact on choral music in Texas. 

Self nominations are accepted along with two or more letters of support. Nominations may be made by TCDA members or non-members.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Evidence of advocacy in at least one or more categories:

• Policy & Legislation (laws, policies, statewide initiatives)
• Financial/Resource Support (funding, infrastructure)
• Community Engagement (local partnerships, visibility, grassroots support)

2. Nominators must identify advocacy category and describe impact

3. Large-scale and grassroots efforts are valued equally.

Texas Choirmaster Award

The Texas Choirmaster Award is reserved for a TCDA member with clearly superior choral conducting and musicianship skills with many years of performance success and consistent membership and participation in TCDA. It will include people superior in their musicianship and conducting but have also served and mentored countless Texas choral directors over the years.

This is the highest honor and award TCDA can bestow upon someone within our profession.

We welcome recommendations from TCDA members for worthy recipients to be considered for this highest honor bestowed upon members within our profession. Please send us a recommendation by completing this brief form. All recommendations will be reviewed and considered by the TCDA Board.

Nominations and awards are made by the TCDA Board.

TCDA service Award

Not awarded every year, this select award is reserved for unusual or unique service to TCDA. Nominations are made by the TCDA Board.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Consistent membership and participation in TCDA
2. Career marked by excellence in choral conducting and choral performances
3. Evidence of mentoring and influence of other choral directors