Honor Choir Registration Info
Step 1: To participate, submit the Registration-Form
(Participation fee of $100 due upon registration)
In an effort to maintain a balanced ensemble, membership in the All-State Festival Choir is on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Each section has a limited number of positions, and those will be filled in the order of registration received. In the event balance becomes an issue, MCDA reserves the ability to close sections or decline registration to balance the choir accordingly.
Step 2:
Music will be mailed to you. Begin rehearsing once your music arrives
Practice Tracks are available in the column to the right.
T-shirt, and 1 lunch will be provided on-site.
Step 3:
Reserve a hotel room at University Plaza Hotel
Payment or Registration Issues??
Contact: Jana Fox
Procedural Questions??
Contact: Heather Blackwell
MCDA 11-12 Missouri
Festival Choir Information
July 21-22, 2025
University Plaza Hotel, Springfield, MO
Event Information
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The participation fee covers: music packet, practice tracks, t-shirt, 1 meal, a performance in Hammons Hall.
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Open to all students who were accepted as members, alternates, AND honorable mention to the 2025 Missouri All-State Choir
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Rehearsals: July 21-22
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Performance July 22 (evening)
Meet the Clinician
Dr. Dustin Cates
Dr. Dustin S. Cates (he/him/his) is a teacher, conductor, presenter, researcher and proud native of Kansas City, Missouri. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships with people through music. Dr. Cates is Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at Boyer College of Music and Dance, part of the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University. At Temple he conducts the University Chorale, supervises graduate students, and teaches courses in music education, choral/vocal pedagogy, and choral methods. His research focuses on issues of equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice in choral music.
Cates is an active conductor/clinician for honor choirs and music festivals throughout the United States and a frequent presenter of workshops for music educators. Dr. Cates earned undergraduate and doctoral degrees in choral music education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and a master’s degree from Baker University. Prior to his work at Temple, Cates was Artistic Director and Conductor of Heartland Men’s Chorus, Associate Director of Worship Arts at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and taught high school choral music in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He currently serves as the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Repertoire and Resources Chair for Tenor/Bass Choirs, ACDA Eastern Region Diversity Initiatives and Conference Chair, and is Past President of the Kansas Choral Directors Association. Dr. Cates considers his most important roles to be husband to Dr. Raymond Cattaneo, and father to their son Emmaus.
Note: MCDA does not offer refunds in the event the student cannot attend.
For safety reasons, all rehearsals are closed to the public. Only those who are official chaperones or registered members of the conference (including single day registration) are allowed in the rehearsal space. Please help us maintain the safety of our singers by adhering to these requirements. For liability reasons, members are not supposed to be official chaperones. But in the event that there was no other option, members still need to register for the conference. Thank you for supporting the organization that supports these ensembles!