Events & Programs


Conferences & Symposia

Upcoming Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops Are Listed Below

2026 Southern Division Conference

January 6, 2026
Dear CBDNA Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope you’ve had a restful break. It was great to connect with so many of you at Midwest and at our CBDNA Forum.
I’m writing to personally invite you to the 2026 CBDNA Southern Division Conference February 19-21 hosted at the University of South FloridaFor maximum savings, pre-register and book your hotel in the next 12 days: 
  • Embassy Suites Hotel Block available through January 18
  • Pre-Registration Discount available through February 1
PRE-REGISTRATION RATES
  • Plan A: CBDNA* Members: $100 (available until 2/1/26)
  • Plan B: K-12 Teachers: $50 (available until 2/1/26)
  • Plan C: Primary/Secondary/Collegiate Student Rate: $25 (available until 2/1/26)
    *All collegiate professors must be a current member of CBDNA
CONFERENCE HOTEL
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens is reserved through January 18
  • Breakfast Buffet is included as well as 5:00pm Happy Hour
  • Hotel is in walking distance and/or short drive to USF School of Music
BANQUET
For an additional $35 there will be a banquet held in USF’s School of Music on Friday before the evening’s concerts. The menu will honor Tampa’s rich heritage by featuring Cuban food. Tickets are limited to the first 100 people.
STAY CONNECTED
Our new Instagram page is up and active and we’ve had 12 band takeovers since November! These pages will also include conference updates. Follow our Facebook or Instagram pages @cbdnasouthern!
On behalf of the entire CBDNA Southern Division Leadership Team, I wish you and your music communities a Happy New Year! Thank you for all that you do!
Amy Acklin
President, CBDNA Southern Division
Conference Registration

2026 Southwestern Division Conference

The University of North Texas College of Music, Division of Conducting and Ensembles, and Wind Studies Area are proud to host the 2026 College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Division Conference.

February 25-28, 2026

Denton, Texas

Conference Website

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.

Conference Registration

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!

Conference Website

2026 North Central Division Conference

You are cordially invited to join us from April 9-11, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the North Central Conference of CBDNA. The NC Conference offers a vast array of creative sessions and performances that are sure to inspire and deepen our music-making and teaching. I invite you to visit the conference website for more in-depth information.

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

We welcome all members of CBDNA to attend.

 

Conference Website

2026 Athletic Bands Symposium

Reserve the date: May 26-29, 2026

Location: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, VA

Hosted by the The Marching Virginians, Dr. Polly Middleton, Director

University Website

2027 National Conference

Save the date: February 24-27, 2027

The CBDNA National Conference will be hosted at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD.

Applications for performing ensembles and presentations will become available in spring 2026.

To have your conference listed, use our Contact Form