Spencerville Academy Choir Performs at ACDA National Conference

Spencerville Adventist Academy’s Cantares choir recently had the opportunity to showcase their talents and share their faith on a national stage. The SAA student choir traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, from Feb. 19-22 to participate in a concert kicking off the 2023 American Choral Directors Association National Conference.

The Cantares joined eight other high school choirs from around the country to form a mass choir of more than 400 singers for the kickoff performance that was held on Feb. 21 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati. Leading up to the concert, SAA students had the opportunity to meet and mingle with peers from the other choirs during rehearsals at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

As the only Adventist choir in attendance, SAA students were provided with a unique opportunity to share their faith. Emilie Flores, the academy choir director, said that the students “answered lots of questions about what Adventism is and [had] a great ministry opportunity.”

Despite the long hours of rehearsal and the pressure of performing on a national stage, the students reported that they thoroughly enjoyed their trip. Aiden Zinke, one of the Spencerville students, said, “My favorite part of going to ACDA was meeting new people.” Felicity Zappia, another student in the choir, expressed her love for singing with her peers and building connections through the music. She said, “My favorite part about ACDA was being able to sing my heart out and all of us really getting into the music, bonding with each other and becoming closer through the songs.”