2026 Southern Division Conference

Dear CBDNA Colleagues,

Plans are underway for the 2026 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, hosted at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL, February 19-21, 2026. Many thanks to USF Director of Bands, Matthew McCutchen, and the USF Band Staff for serving as our host.

A pre-registration discount is available through February 1 for CBDNA members, K-12 teachers, and collegiate students.

Our conference, Ritmos y Vientos: Honoring Traditions and Expanding Horizons, will feature Latin Grammy award-winning musician José Valentino and members of his award-winning combo. We will also have a jam-packed schedule of blind and peer-reviewed performances and presentations from around the country.

With easy access to the Tampa International Airport, a convenient on-campus hotel at the Embassy Suites, delicious Cuban food, and lots of sunshine, I hope you will join us for a fun and engaging conference!

Amy Acklin – CBDNA Southern Division President; Associate Director of Bands, University of Louisville, a.acklin@louisville.edu

2026 Western/Northwestern Divisions Conference

Plans for the 2026 W/NW Divisions Conference, held March 18–21, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Reno, continue to take shape. Along with research presentations and performances we are excited to announce that Gary Hill will conduct the Intercollegiate Band, Al LaFave (President, Valley City State University, ND) will dialogue on contemporary issues of music in higher education, and a new Bridgeworks-commissioned piece by Jodie Blackshaw will be premiered. We will also recognize A.G. “Mack” McGrannahan for his years of service to the W/NW Division conferences.

2026 Eastern Division Conference

Registration is open for the 2026 CBDNA/NBA Eastern Division Conference at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from March 19-21, 2026.

“Music from Latin America and Spain”
The 2026 CBDNA Eastern Division Conference will be a celebration and exploration of wind band music from Latin America and Spain. The three-day event is open to all conductors, composers, scholars, and students of all levels and backgrounds. Presenters from around the world will share their research, and high caliber wind bands from the East Coast will showcase quality wind band music in multiple concerts. An Intercollegiate Band will be led by Venezuelan conductor Luis Alberto Castro, Musical Director of La Casa de la Musica in Quito, Ecuador. Presentations and performances will highlight music from Latin American and Spanish composers throughout.

We hope to see you in beautiful western Massachusetts in March 2026!

2026 North Central Division Conference

The North Central Division Conference will be held April 9-11, 2026 at University of Michigan, Jason Fettig, host. We welcome all members of CBDNA to attend.

Dr. Rodney Dorsey of Florida State University will conduct the Intercollegiate Band.

Submissions are now being accepted for performing ensembles. The deadline for submission of audio recording submissions is Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Application details were sent to CBDNA membership on 10 May 2025.

2025 National Conference

Our 2025 national conference will take place March 26-29, 2025 in Fort Worth, TX, hosted by Bobby Francis of Texas Christian University.

Research presentations and poster sessions are peer-reviewed and jury-selected.

At-Large sessions are non-juried presentations selected by the President of CBDNA on topics of interest to our membership.

Performance livestream links are available on the this page.

NOTE: There will be separate calls for athletic band videos and for the small band program showcase later. These are selected through different processes.