My Dashboard

Candidate Chris Knighten

University of Arkansas
Director of Bands

Service to CBDNA

  • Chair, CBDNA New Works Committee, March 2025-March 2026 Member, CBDNA New Music Committee, 2018-2026
  • Past-President, CBDNA Southwestern Division, March 2020-March 2022
  • President, CBDNA Southwestern Division, March 2018-March 2020
  • Planned and coordinated the 2020 CBDNA Southwestern Division Conference at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
  • President-Elect, CBDNA Southwestern Division, March, 2016-March 2018 Presentation: Repertoire for Solo Voice and Winds, CBDNA National Conference, Kansas City, MO, March 15, 2017
  • Chair, CBDNA Southwestern Division Intercollegiate Band, 2016 Vice-President, CBDNA Southwestern Division, March 2014-2016
  • Host, 2014 CBDNA Southwestern Division Conference, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
  • Presentation: Second Band is NOT Second Best, CBDNA National Conference, Austin, TX, March 25, 2009
  • CBDNA State Chair, North Carolina, 2002-2006
  • Chair, CBDNA Southern Division Intercollegiate Band, 2006 Chair, CBDNA Southern Division Intercollegiate Band, 2004 Chair, CBDNA Southern Division Intercollegiate Band, 2002
  • Performance/Presentation: Charles Ives’ Old Home Days Suite, as a part of the session, Great Music for Less Experienced Players, CBDNA National Conference, Boulder, CO, February 22, 1995

Vision for the Future of CBDNA

In 2005 the leadership of CBDNA crafted the following “Statement of Purpose.”

The members of the College Band Directors National Association are devoted to the teaching, performance, study and cultivation of music, with particular focus on the wind band medium. CBDNA is an inclusive organization whose members are engaged in continuous dialogue encompassing myriad philosophies and professional practices. CBDNA is committed to serving as a dynamic hub connecting individuals to communities, ideas and resources.

In thirty-eight years I have seen our “dynamic hub” promote the values in this statement in significant ways.

  • We are intentional in the design of rehearsals and performances that educate, inform, and inspire, and we remain committed to honoring the traditions of our art form while creating and promoting new art.
  • Our leadership, sparked by feedback from members, has created important initiatives that are providing meaningful support and impact. We are engaging with and supporting music educators at all levels while striving to become more inclusive in our own classrooms, organizations, and communities. We have broadened the scope of our organization to include all types of bands from the smallest colleges to the largest universities.
  • In 2018 the CBDNA Board ratified a mandate that requires all performing ensembles at national or regional conference to perform at least one work by a composer from a historically underrepresented population. Since then, other organizations and conferences have adopted this mandate.

These examples illustrate the greatest strengths of CBDNA: the diversity of our members and the reflexive quality of our organization and leadership to support the causes brought forward by those members. The initiatives and even the structure of our organization have been shaped by the leadership’s willingness to listen and adapt, and these changes benefit our profession and contribute to the greater good. Hundreds of CBDNA members and their students are impacted by important initiatives created by committees related to New Works, Athletic Bands, Diversity, Small College Programs, and Music Education.

There are challenges ahead. We are all navigating a rapidly shifting cultural landscape, the wake of which is already impacting many university band programs. How will we cultivate a robust repertoire and develop the breadth of our students’ musical knowledge and styles in places or times that do not promote inclusivity? How will the significant restructuring of collegiate athletics impact student experience, programming, and recruiting? CBDNA will always have opportunities to listen and respond to these and other issues.

In an effort to grow individually and collectively, and to help foster environments for us to better educate and inspire our students, our leaders should continue to be present, listen to, and galvanize the support of our membership. This is the foundation of my vision for the future of CBDNA and, if elected, I pledge to continue leadership that will listen to, advocate for, and support our membership.