Session Proposals

Odell Zeigler, IV, is the Director of Choirs at the Visual & Performing Arts Academy at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia. He conducts the Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, Men’s Chorus, and Mixed Chorus, inspiring students through dynamic and engaging musical instruction. In addition to teaching Music Appreciation and AP Music Theory, Odell also brings his leadership skills to the court as the Head JV Boys Basketball Coach.

An active adjudicator, clinician, and public speaker, Odell is increasingly recognized as a leading voice in choral music and education. He has presented research at prestigious All-State and All-Region conferences across 15 states and has been featured as a headlining clinician in two states.

Odell is an accomplished writer, with articles published in prestigious outlets such as Teaching Music Magazine (NAfME), the Iowa Music Educator Journal, the Massachusetts Music Educator Journal, the Rhode Island Music Educator Journal, the Virginia Harmony Newsletter, and the ChorTeach online journal. His expertise has also been highlighted in School Band & Orchestra Magazine (SBO). As a featured blogger for ACDA’s online platform, ChoralNet, Odell continues contributing valuable insights to the choral music community.

Odell is a committed member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. He also contributes his expertise as a member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Education Committee. Odell holds a B.A. in Music & Psychology from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, an M.M.Ed. from the University of Rhode Island, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a Principal Certification Endorsement from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

Rather than addressing the broad systemic barriers in urban education, this session focuses on specific challenges new choral directors may encounter in urban choral programs. Choral leaders may find that some students face difficulties with:

1. Solfège – Many students may have only sung on words.
2. Sheet Music – Some may have learned exclusively by rote without ever using a score.
3. Sight-Reading – This concept may be entirely unfamiliar.
4. Vocal Technique – Maintaining an arched soft palate may feel unnatural.
5. Tongue Placement – The concept might be completely new.
6. Classical Repertoire – The style and interpretation may be foreign.

While these challenges are not exclusive to urban choral programs, they are common in certain educational settings. This session offers practical strategies to help new choral directors navigate these obstacles and foster musical growth in their ensembles.

The session will include a PowerPoint presentation outlining key concepts and challenges. I will also offer strategies that promote music literacy skill-building to bridge the gap in literacy skills among students of color.

This approach is designed to support—not replace—traditional choral instruction, serving as a valuable jumpstart for novice any directors entering the urban secondary choral setting.

• Choral - Middle School
• Choral - Secondary
• Collegiate
• Mentorship/Beginning Teachers