Prelude Award​
Logan Caywood, 2021 Award Winner
Logan Caywood is currently the Vocal Music teacher at Dean Ray Stucky Middle School in Wichita, Kansas. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Kansas State University and  has been a member of the Music For All Educators of National Voices of Youth (ENVOY) Committee and has served annually as the Ensemble Host Coordinator and Stage Manager for the Music For All National Choir Festival. He has received the Give A Note Foundation Music Education Innovator Award, a Music Teachers National Association Teacher Enrichment Grant, and the Wichita Public Schools Education Edge Grant. His research interests include methods for integrating Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and World Music Pedagogy with choral music education to create challenging and engaging school music experiences for students. Logan has worked to co-author articles and a book centered around the integration of Culturally Relevant and Responsive Teaching in the music education classroom. Logan is currently working with Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand as an Educational Advisor to provide pedagogical examples and performance opportunities to music educators and students. He looks forward to helping Dr. Ferdinand continue his work of addressing social challenges in musical ensembles. Recently, Logan has been selected to serve as the KMEA All-State Middle Level Choir Assistant Chair and will be appointed to the Middle Level Choir Chair for the 2024 and 2025 In-Service Workshops.​  


​Nomination Criteria and Procedures
Nominations are due May 30, annually.

Nominee Criteria:
  • Successful teaching and performance in choral music in Kansas
  • Professional demeanor in interactions with colleagues
  • Potential as an exemplary professional with an extended career in choral music
  • A spirit of service through active participation and involvement in KCDA and/or KMEA 

Selection Procedure:
  • Nominations will be solicited from the general membership of KCDA
  • Nominees must be current members of KCDA in their third, fourth, or fifth year of experience as a choral director,    currently teaching in the state of Kansas 
  • Nominations must include biographical information, a letter of nomination from a current member of KCDA, and a letter of support from an administrator, supervisor, or mentor.
  • The KCDA Executive Board will serve as the selection committee for reviewing nominations and voting to select a                            recipient.
  • Nominations may be resubmitted anytime during the eligibility period (three to five years of experience), but are not automatically carried forward for future consideration.​​

The Prelude Award is presented at the Kansas Choral Directors Association Summer Convention in Topeka, Kansas.
Past Award Winners
2020 – Karis Nichols
2019 - Julia Miller 
2018 - Shawn Gamache
2017 - Darren Enns
2016 - Tiffani N. Thompson 
2015 - Eli Jones
2014 - Jon Duncan
2013 - not awarded
2012 - not awarded
2011 - Alex Underwood
2010 - Janie Brokenicky
​

    NOMINATION FORM