The 5-Star Award:

What is a 5-star award and how do you qualify? In its simplest form, The WCDA 5-Star award is a pat on the back for a job well done. Its most positive outcome is that communities be made aware of the quality of effort and dedication of their directors, and that the directors themselves are publicly recognized by our professional organization. This is not an audition to which programs and tapes are submitted; there is no judge or committee making subjective decisions. Everyone who applies will have already met the requirements.

There are five steps that qualify you for the WCDA 5-Star Award:

1. You must be an active, life, or retired member of the WCDA.
2. You must have attended the WCDA Convention in the award year.
3. One or more of your singers must have participated in a WCDA sponsored event during the award year. (NextDirection, Singing in Wisconsin, All-State Choir, Convention Perf.)
4. You will need to submit three short recommendations from a WCDA colleague, an administrator or supervisor, and a parent, singer, or community member.
5. You will need to submit three recommendations for outstanding repertoire which you have personally conducted and would like to share. Include the title, voicing, publisher, and composer/arranger.

This will be an annual award, with members re-applying each year. Notification of your achievement will be made to local papers and administrators/supervisors. What a great way to recognize your choral program and your professional affiliation!

5-Star Award Application Form:

• Entire Form 

The WCDA Awards:

Morris D. Hayes Award: Established in 1985 this award was named for one of the founders of the WCDA. Morris D. Hayes was president of WCDA, NCACDA, and the National ACDA in three consecutive years. The award does not have to be given every year, but is to be reserved for people of outstanding merit. Criteria: A resident of Wisconsin who has demonstrated a commitment to choral music - whether through teaching, conducting, or service to the art - and has made outstanding contributions to choral music in Wisconsin.

The Stanley Custer Distinguished Service Award: Established to recognize an individual whose contributions to the organization are exemplary and/or go beyond the normal services provided for the operation of Wisconsin Choral Directors Association, Inc. Named in honor of our unique benefactor and champion of choral music, Dr. G. Stanley Custer.

Outstanding Church Musician Award: Established in 1998 to recognize an individual whose contributions to music in the church are exemplary, Criteria: This award is to be presented to a church musician to recognize sufficient contributions made by a professional to church music. The nominee must be a WCDA member. Outstanding Middle Level Choral Director Award: Established in 1998 to recognize significant contributions made in the area of middle level choral directing. This award need not be given every year. Criteria: A middle level choral director (grades 6-9) and WCDA member with a minimum of ten years experience who exhibits characteristics usually associated with master teachers (see above)

Outstanding Young Choral Director Award: Established in 1994 to honor teachers with five or fewer years experience, the scope of this award has been expanded to include all choral directors with five or fewer years experience. Criteria: A choral director and WCDA member who exhibits characteristics usually associated with master teachers - enthusiasm, energy, musicianship, student rapport, and professionalism; who has made a considerable impact on the size, quality of performance, festival involvement, and visibility of the program; and who has also made a commitment to the community through church or civic choral organizations, youth activities, or civic service organizations. 

The WCDA Awards Nomination Form:

• Nomination Form

Congratulations to the WCDA Award Winners!

Note: There are also two competitions sponsored by WCDA:

• the Choral Composition Competition, and
• the Student Conducting Competition. 

A Tribute to Stanley and Violet Custer.