The first meeting of the newly reorganized AMCA Executive Council was held November 4 - 5, 2005 in Lockport, NY. The meeting was attended by all four of the Executive Council officers and by each of the three district representatives. No committee chairmen were able to attend.
     In the AMCA restructuring, it was decided that to save travel costs only one formal meeting would be held each year, that the meeting would rotate between the districts and would be held in conjunction with the host district's Big Sing. Thus the Executive Council was also able to enjoy the New York-Penn's Big Sing 2005.
     The 2006 meeting will be hosted by the Upper Midwest District in Marshall, MN, the site of the UMW '06 Big Sing, on the last weekend of April, '06. The 2007 meeting will be hosted by the Wisconsin Upper Michigan District, tentatively at Marquette MI in May of 07'.
     Since the council will only meet face to face once per year, a significant part of the AMCA business will be conducted via e-mail. The group discussed in detail how this will be done and came to consensus on how e-mail business will be conducted.
     The plan for future Choristers was discussed. Our new editor, Ed Armbruster, has suggested three issues per year -fall, Christmas time, and spring. The council decided to proceed with this plan at a minimum, with additional issues as warranted.
     The Executive Director noted that he had approached Don Crouch, formerly the director of the Milwaukee Male Chorus and now the director of the South St. Paul Male Chorus, about resuming his role as Music Reviewer for the AMCA and also about incorporating the leadership of the Music Contest into that role. Mr. Crouch has indicated his willingness, and the council authorized the appointment.
     The Treasurer reported on the 2004-05 financial transactions and on the AMCA Scholarship Fund. These reports were accepted as presented. The proposed budget for the 2005-06 Fiscal Year was discussed. The council decided to reduce regular member dues to $5 per year. Choruses who have already paid dues at $7 will be refunded $2 per member. Dues for other types of membership remain the same.
     The subject of attempting another multi-district Big Sing was discussed. It was recognized that the significant costs associated with renting facilities large enough to host the larger group may be prohibitive. Each district was requested to poll their member choruses to determine who would be willing to host a Big Sing, and the maximum number of singers that they could accommodate.

Respectfully submitted,
Paul Carlton
Upper Midwest District Representative