Registration opens August 1, 2025.
Please see below for general Honor Choir details.
Clinician Bio:
Coty Raven Morris
New Orleans native Coty Raven Morris is a conductor, composer, poet, and community-centered music educator who believes deeply in the transformative power of collective singing. Her compassion for music-making in diverse communities fuels every aspect of her work—from the rehearsal room to the concert hall.
She is the Hinckley Assistant Professor of Choir, Music Education, and Social Justice at Portland State University, where she mentors the next generation of teacher-artists. A proud alumna of Texas State University-San Marcos, she studied with Drs. Lynn Brinckmeyer and Joey Martin, and earned her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University under Drs. David Rayl, Jonathan Reed, and Sandra Snow.
Before PSU, she led award-winning choral programs at Crosby High School in Houston, served as the Outreach Choir Director at MSU’s Community Music School, and was Music Director at Grand Ledge United Methodist Church. Her ensembles consistently earned top UIL and festival honors and were known for their heart as much as their sound.
Morris is a two-time Music Educator Grammy Finalist (2024, 2025) and a Yamaha '40 Under 40' honoree. She was awarded the Hays CISD Linebarger Academic Recognition Award and Galena Park ISD’s Dazzling Diamond Award for her outstanding mentorship and leadership. Her national presence continues to grow through frequent keynote appearances and clinician roles at ACDA and NAfME events.
A frequent speaker at conferences, her reach has extended through her partnership with Music Workshop, where she co-developed a national professional development curriculum centered on wellness, equity, and accessible teaching. She has served as a chorus master and artistic collaborator with Portland Center Stage, the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, and Choirs of America. She also hosts for All Classical Radio and the International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN), fostering creativity and joy for listeners of all ages.
A newly published author and composer, her poetry and choral works have been performed by honor choirs and featured at festivals across the country. As Founder of Being Human Together, Morris cultivates spaces of honesty and connection in music education by exploring topics like mental health and inclusion.
And when she’s not conducting, composing, or building community through song—you might find her in the boxing gym, leading with rhythm, resilience, and a whole 'lot of joy!
About this event
Georgia ACDA will host an honor choir for students with treble voices in grades 5-9 on Friday, October 3, 2025, during the annual GA-ACDA Fall Conference. Students from across the state will enjoy a day on the Kennesaw State University campus in choral rehearsals with Coty Raven Morris. At the conclusion of the day, honor choir participants will present a concert showcasing their talent and hard work. Come join us for a wonderful day of music making.
Eligibility
Georgia ACDA Members are invited to bring up to six 5th-9th graders who show excellent, mature rehearsal behavior, a strong work ethic, and musical talent to the 2025 GA-ACDA Conference Honor Choir. All students will be expected to conduct themselves in a polite and professional manner. When registering, teachers may request voicings for their students (S1, S2, A, whatever is needed). Teachers may request to have their students all on the same voice part or on different voice parts. Voicing preferences will be honored on a first come, first served basis. Registration will close on Wednesday, September 15 or when we reach 100 singers. When registering, directors may indicate if they would like to nominate more than 6 students if space allows. Directors will be contacted directly if we are able to accommodate additional singers.
HONOR CHOIR COST
The cost to participate in the event is $40 per singer. This will include the event, practice tracks, and catered lunch on Friday, October 3rd. Practice tracks with quality vocal models will be emailed to directors after registration. Dinner is not included (see suggestions below). Music is not included (see link below), but students should have their own copy of each piece of music as well as a pencil during rehearsals.
CHAPERONES
Nominating directors are encouraged to attend the GA-ACDA Fall Conference and will receive a registration discount for nominating students. Honor choir students will need to be supervised during breaks and meals by a responsible adult from each school while on the KSU campus. Directors who attend the GA-ACDA conference should plan on supplying a chaperone for their honor choir students.
Conference Registration Discount
$65 conference registration (normally $75-$100) when you register 3 honor choir students. You may choose at checkout if you would like to include director registration on your invoice.
All discounts end on Wednesday, September 15.
Honor Choir Repertoire
TBA
*Music should be memorized prior to the event.
Honor Choir Schedule- Friday, October 3rd
8:35 Registration Opens
9:00 Rehearsal
10:15 Break
10:30 Rehearsal
11:30 Lunch
1:00 Rehearsal
2:30 Break
2:45 Rehearsal
3:45 Break
4:00 Sound Check in Morgan Hall
5:00 Dinner
7:00 Concert Session begins
7:30 Places
8:00 Concert
Student Dress
School-appropriate comfortable and casual attire during the day - students may wear school shirts if desired and we recommend close-toed shoes. Performance attire will be all black: floor length black bottoms (pants, skirt, dress, etc.), black shoes, and a black short or long-sleeved top. If possible, please refrain from wearing tank tops, ripped jeans, or tennis shoes to the performance. School embroidered uniform tops are permitted, so long as they are solid black in all other areas but the logo.
Hotel Information
Established Blocks:
Embassy Suites Atlanta-Kennesaw Town Center
620 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw GA 30144
Kennesaw State Specialty Rate:
Guests can make reservations by calling 770-420-2505 and pressing 1 to book reservations for GA-ACDA group, or via the personalized group page linked below. Link group cutoff date is Sunday, September 14th at 11:59pm, or whenever all rooms in the block are sold.
GA-ACDA Conference Hotel Block Booking Website
Other Hotels:
Hampton Inn Atlanta Kennesaw
Hilton Garden Inn Kennesaw Town Center
Tru by Hilton Atlanta NW Kennesaw
Friday Night Dinner Suggestions
Note: There is a KSU home football game on the evening on October 3rd. We recommend that Honor Choir students avoid eating dinner on Chastain Road as they may experience delays in service and road closures to and from dinner. There are plenty of dinner options on Wade Green Road or in Downtown Kennesaw.
Information needed when registering:
ACDA Membership Number
Director’s First & Last Name
School
Email Address
Contact Phone Number
Student’s First Name, Last Name
Student Voice Part S1, S2, or A
Student Height in Inches
Dietary Restrictions
Driving Directions / Parking information
Car Parking
KSU Central Parking Deck located at 525 Parliament Garden Way NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144 (circled in red). Please park on the 3rd floor or higher to avoid getting a citation. The Bailey Performing Arts center (488 Prillaman Way, Kennesaw, GA 30144) is approximately a 6-minute walk from the Central Parking Deck. Head west on Prillaman Way and look for signs that say GA-ACDA Conference.
Handicapped Parking: Any guests with a handicap tag may legally park in any handicap designated parking spot in any campus parking lot (including Lot D & E) – no KSU parking permit required.
Bus Drop-off:
All honor choir attendees arriving by bus should plan on being dropped off along Prillaman Way on the Bailey Center/Zuckerman Museum side - between Lot E and the 4-way stop at Owl Drive - across from the Visitor Lot. If needed, loop around: take Owl Drive south, turn right on Bartow Ave, turn right on Campus Loop Rd, through the roundabout onto Prillaman Way again. See attached map.
Bus Idling:
Buses will need to idle at the back of the First United Lutheran Church parking lot located at 3481 Campus Loop Rd Kennesaw, GA 30144. Signage for this parking lot may be labeled “West Economy Lot”. See map below.
Note: There is a KSU home football game on the evening on October 4th. Parents, attendees, and spectators of the concert should avoid using Big Shanty 75 express lane to access campus and rather proceed to Chastain Road to avoid road closures due to the football game.
