About Us
The Alabama Vocal Association (AVA) is the choral division of the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), which is the state chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Our mission is to provide a variety of educational experiences for students that will encourage their lifetime appreciation of and participation in the art of choral music. Our goals include promoting cooperation among choral directors in Alabama, enhancing the programs of vocal music in schools in Alabama, providing a means for professional ideas and methods to be shared, and promoting growth and higher standards in music education throughout the state.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a variety of educational experiences for students that will encourage their lifetime appreciation of and participation in the art of choral music.
Our Purposes
Our purposes include promoting cooperation among choral directors in Alabama, enhancing the programs of vocal music in schools in Alabama, providing a means for professional ideas and methods to be shared, and promoting growth and higher standards in music education throughout the state.
Our Affiliations
The Alabama Vocal Association (AVA) is the choral division of the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA). AMEA is the state chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
Our Structure
The Alabama Vocal Association is a non-profit educational organization governed by its Board of Directors under the rules of its Constitution and Bylaws. Sitting on Board of Directors are the AVA Officers on the Executive Board (the President, Vice President, President-Elect, and Recording Secretary are volunteers elected by the membership; the Executive Secretary is hired part-time) whose duties include organizing and implementing state events (All-State Festival, State Performance Assessment, All-State Show Choir, Honor Choir, State Outstanding Choral Student auditions, the Music Education Scholarship, and the Frances P. Moss Award) and the seven District Chairs, who are appointed by the AVA President and who schedule and plan district events (District Outstanding Choral Student auditions, All-State auditions, District Performance Assessments, and Solo/Ensemble Festival), keep the choral directors in their district informed about events and activities, keep a district bank account, and serve on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors also includes non-voting appointed positions, such as that of the Digital Media Director and Parliamentarian. All of the board members except the Executive Secretary are school choral directors who volunteer their time to serve on the AVA Board.
What We Do
AVA offers adjudicated performance evaluations, All-State festival venues, and in-service opportunities for Alabama choral teachers and their students each year. AVA gives each choral teacher in Alabama an opportunity to make AVA policy by participating and voting in the three AVA membership meetings held each year, or by serving in a volunteer capacity as a District Chairman or Officer. AVA recognizes outstanding choral teachers with the Frances P. Moss Choral Director’s Award and encourages future choral teachers with Outstanding Choral Student scholarship and the Music Education scholarship.