Inside SWACDA 2026 with Jonathan Owen: Leadership, Legacy, and Conference Highlights

Dear Listeners,

This week on The Choir Guys Podcast, we are joined by none other than Jonathan Owen, President of the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA).

Jonathan has served in many leadership roles—MCDA President, MMEA Choral VP, and now SWACDA President—and his passion for service shines through in this episode. We talk about:

• His leadership philosophy and why serving matters in the choral world.

• What to expect from the upcoming SWACDA Conference in March.

• His efforts to strengthen connection through The Southwestern Connection, podcast shorts, and increased communication.

• Why choir directors should attend SWACDA in March.

Whether you’re curious about SWACDA, interested in leadership, or just need encouragement in your teaching, this is an episode packed with insight and inspiration.

Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

💬 Got questions or ideas for future episodes?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] or message us on social media @thechoirguyspod.

Our brand-new series, Teacher Tip Thursday, is all about bringing you quick, practical ideas from leading educators that you can use right away in your classroom. This week, we’re excited to feature Brian Parrish, who shares a simple but powerful rehearsal strategy in the video below.

Take a couple of minutes to check it out—you’ll walk away with something you can try with your choir today!

👉 Watch Brian’s Teacher Tip Thursday video below

🎶 Special Episode Announcement: Ryan Main – Coming September 23!

Mark your calendars—on Tuesday, September 23, The Choir Guys Podcast will feature award-winning composer, conductor, and educator Ryan Main!

Ryan’s music has been performed at Carnegie Hall, national ACDA conferences, and by choirs worldwide.

In this episode, we talk with Ryan about:

• His journey from the classroom to becoming a globally recognized composer and clinician.

• Founding the Youth Chorus of Kansas City and the impact it’s had on students from all backgrounds.

• Launching Endeavor Music Publishing, a company dedicated to supporting composers and giving them the compensation they deserve.

• His life as an editor, composer, and educator—and how he balances it all.

You’ll also hear some fun behind-the-scenes stories, including Ryan’s close friendship with our co-host Danny (yes, Danny was the best man at Ryan’s wedding!).

This is a conversation full of insight, inspiration, and humor that you won’t want to miss.

👉 Be sure to subscribe so the episode is waiting for you first thing on September 23!

Learn more about our incredible sponsors here: https://thechoirguyspod.weebly.com/our-sponsors