TCDA Proudly Announces Annual Awards

Award Nomination deadline is February 29, 2024.

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 recognize members who have created programs that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and/or exceptional community engagement. Recipients should be current members of TCDA. Nominations made by TCDA members.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Consistent membership and participation in TCDA

2. Evidence of innovation, collaboration, and/or exceptional community engagement in program creation.


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. Nominations made by TCDA members.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. The TCDA Choral Advocacy Award is intended to honor conductors, educators, administrators, and other individuals who have been advocates for singing and ardent supporters of the choral arts within their community, school, or place of worship. 
2. Members and non-members of TCDA are eligible for this award.


Choral Director of Distinction Award

This award is given annually to mid-career TCDA members with 10 years or more conducting experience who maintain high performance and literature standards, participate in TCDA activities through attendance and leadership, and promote choral music in the community. Nominations are made by TCDA members.

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Consistent membership and participation in TCDA
2. A career marked by excellence in choral conducting
3. 10 or more years of choral conducting experience


Texas Choirmaster Award

This 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 that are superior in their musicianship and conducting but have also served and mentored countless Texas choral directors over the years.  Nominations are made by the TCDA Board.


Choral Excellence Award

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. Recipients should have a minimum of 15 years of experience with consistent TCDA membership and participation.   Nominations made by TCDA members.

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


 Young Director of Distinction Award

This award recognizes TCDA choral directors who have taught for seven years or fewer and have achieved exceptional success in those first years Recipients should be consistent members and participants in TCDA.  Nominations made by TCDA members. 

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Consistent membership and participation in TCDA
2. Career marked by excellence in choral conducting
3. Seven years or less of choral conducting experience


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.