Chorus America invites you to submit a session proposal for our 2026 Conference, June 3-6, in Minneapolis, MN. The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, November 14, 2025.

Questions about applying or presenting? Email Karyn Castro at karyn@chorusamerica.org. 

We are also inviting suggestions for questions or topics that you would like our Conference event to explore and speakers that you would like to see at the event. Please email your suggestions to karyn@chorusamerica.org by Friday, November 14.

About Our Conference Programming

Our Conference programming draws on the expertise and insights of those working in the choral field, as well as in the arts, education, and general nonprofit sectors. The Conference promotes skill-building and facilitates collaboration, exploration, and connections on multiple levels. 

We program sessions across a variety of artistic and administrative topics, with focuses on innovation and relevance in the current climate and access, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the choral field. Our goal is to work with a diverse group of Conference speakers that represent different demographics, geographic locations, organization sizes, and points of view.

Selected sessions will receive a presenting slot, audio/visual support, and will be included in Chorus America's Conference materials. Selected and invited Conference speakers are offered a 50% discount on registration to thank them for being part of Conference programming. 

Visit our website to view examples of sessions and get inspired. We are particularly interested in sessions that engage attendees in unique ways that reach beyond the standard presenter/PowerPoint model. Sessions are 1 hour long and formats may include but are not limited to:

• Panel Discussion: present an issue or trend as a conversation among experts followed by Q&A
• Case Study: describe a program or project in-depth, focusing on innovative solutions to clearly defined challenges and their implications for the field
• Workshop: actively engage attendees, providing practical skills, collaborative activities, and/or problem-solving opportunities

If you are submitting multiple proposals for review, please fill out an application for each proposed session.

What will I be asked to submit on the application? 

Applicants will be required to submit information both about the proposed session and the involved speaker(s). Specifically,

• Title of proposed session
• Session description
• Session topic(s)
• Target audience for session (dropdown list)
• 5 Learning Outcomes from the proposed session
• Session format (case study, presentation, workshop, etc)
• Name, email, phone number, title and organization, location, and experience with the topic for all speakers involved in the presentation (up to 5 total)
• Select availability for each session block (Thursday afternoon, Friday morning, Friday afternoon, and Saturday afternoon)
  
  

What's next after I submit?

Once the call for sessions closes on November 14, Chorus America's staff and Conference stakeholders will review the submissions. As sessions are developed, a staff member will be in touch with all applicants to inform them of their proposal's status by the end of January 2026. Please note: we may contact presenters who have submitted similar session proposals to explore whether they are willing to collaborate.

Submissions will be reviewed based on:

• Overall balance of variety of sessions being presented
• Session format, design, and creativity
• Presenter expertise and experience with topic
• Clarity of message
• Relevance to current issues and conversations happening in the field
• Variety of perspectives within the field 

Questions? Please email Karyn Castro, associate director of programs and membership, at karyn@chorusamerica.org.