President-Elect Candidates

Clinton Ray Hardy is in his fifteenth year of directing choral music, and is the head choral director at Trinity Springs Middle School in Keller ISD. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University and earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. He strives to first teach his students how to be the best humans possible and then to be excellent musicians.

Mr. Hardy’s Varsity Treble Choir was invited to perform at the 2023 Texas Music Educators Association Convention. In addition, that choir has previously performed at Southwestern ACDA in 2022 and the 2019 TMEA Convention. His Varsity Tenor-Bass Choir has also performed at the 2021 National American Choral Directors Association Convention.

Mr. Hardy currently serves as the National ACDA JH/MS R&R Chair and is frequently requested to be a clinician/conductor for All-Region and All-State Choirs.

Ideas for assisting TCDA to live into the mission and purposes of the organization:
It is an honor to be nominated for TCDA President-Elect. I realize the heavy importance of the true servant leadership in this role. TCDA is facing the most crucial moment in its history right now, and the organization needs a leader who is willing to dissect and wrestle with the fundamental systems which are currently failing some members of this organization. As per our mission statement, we are to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Unfortunately the organization has not lived up to this promise.  It is important to seek the wisdom of others when members feel alienated. A true leader does not have the answers for everything; however, they are willing to seek advice from communities and people with expertise in those matters. If elected, I am committed to having executive leadership buy-in for DEI initiatives, while breaking down the barriers that are systemically in place, preventing us from truly growing as an organization.

As President-Elect, I would promote transparent and frequent communication regarding the status of our board meetings, goals and initiatives. As a middle school director, I also feel we are underrepresented most of the time at conventions. There is no substitute for choral camaraderie. I have sought community through TCDA over the past few decades. We need to help create and foster opportunities where EVERYONE feels welcome and important - not just the elite, privileged few. TCDA is because we are. Without everyone who has ever cared for this organization, we are lost. The time for inclusion and representation is now!

Leigh Ann McClure has been Head Director of the Keller Central Choral Department for 18 years.  The CHS program consists of more than 300 students, three directors, eight concert choirs, and two show choirs.  Ms. McClure previously taught in Arlington, Cleburne, and Alvarado in her 37-year teaching career at both the middle school and high school levels.  McClure received the BME degree from Baylor University and the MME from The University of North Texas.  

McClure is honored to teach at  several all-state camps each year and is an active adjudicator, clinician, and honor choir conductor.  She has served the Texas Choral Directors’ Association as Secretary; the Texas Music Adjudicators’ Association as Vocal Vice-President; and the Texas Music Educators’ Association as Region Secretary, MS/JHS Region Coordinator, Region Chair, Area Chair, All-State Women’s Choir Organizer, and Area Mentorship Chair.  She is also a recipient of  the UIL “Sponsor of Excellence” award.

Ideas for assisting TCDA to live into the mission and purposes of the organization:

TCDA has faced some recent challenges, but there is evidence all around that we are moving forward and are resilient. Some have asked why I would still want to be considered for this position of service when we find ourselves at such a critical juncture. It is for exactly that reason that I embrace this opportunity. Financial challenges, changes to our profession post-Covid, and systemic issues have excluded some from feeling welcome in the organization. These matters must be addressed simultaneously to realize the goal of making TCDA relevant, essential, and sustainable. My desire is to provide a platform for growth in these areas over my term of service. In order to be educated, however, we have to be open-minded and willing to listen and learn from one another.

We have many viewpoints, but our ultimate goals are strikingly consistent—to serve not only those who perform in our ensembles, but also our choral music colleagues. We are each community builders by virtue of what we do every day in our ensembles. My hope is that we will bring our various opinions and perspectives to the table, embrace our differences, and move into a future for TCDA that is stronger than ever.

I am grateful to my colleagues whose confidence in me has led to this nomination. Please take time to read my biography and reach out to me if you have questions about my qualifications. The opportunities I have been afforded to serve several of our state organizations in various capacities have prepared me for the challenges ahead. My goal is and always will be to unify and bring people together in our state where choral music continues to thrive. I am confident this can be achieved in and through TCDA.