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"helping band directors be better educators!"

New York State Band Directors Association

2023 High School Honor Band

2023 Middle School Honor Band

WHY SHOULD YOU BELONG TO NYSBDA?

Professional enrichment and networking

The Band Stand newsletter

Annual Symposium

Winter and summer conference sessions

NYSBDA Reading Bands

Member-only web content

Regional workshops

Honor band student eligibility

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2023 High School Honor Jazz Ensemble

Welcome

Welcome to the website of the New York Band Directors Association. NYSBDA is the premier educational organization for band directors in the state of NY. We hope you enjoy exploring the site and learning more about our organization, activities, and sponsored events.

NYSBDA Apparel Sale Now until March 10th

Hello, Everyone! NYSBDA Swag is available NOW. Check out the website link below for NYSBDA clothing merchandise. Let’s promote NYSBDA, your membership and all of the opportunities NYSBDA provides for our young band musicians of NY!

*All items are at cost and will be shipped directly to you. This is NOT a Fund Raiser.

NYC HBCU Audition Fair

Good Afternoon, I trust this message finds you well. My name is Dr. Jada John, and I am the Executive Director of Big Apple Leadership Academy for the Arts, otherwise known as BALAA (pronounced BALL-UH). BALAA is a youth-centered, arts-based nonprofit located in Brooklyn, NY. I am reaching out to you to share information about our […]

2024 Summer Conference Call for Clinicians

Conn Selmer Institutae Northeast – A Partnership with Ithaca College and The New York State Band Directors Association

Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY | August 13 – 15, 2024

Since NYSSMA announced the hiatus of the New York State Summer Music Conference NYSBDA has been hard at work teaming up with ASTA, Ithaca College, and Conn Selmer to develop an amazing professional development opportunity that combines everything you love about the New York State Summer Conferences of the past (camaraderie, reading ensembles, and director ensembles) with a beautiful setting, an incredible gathering of clinicians, and the full support of the Conn Selmer Institute and Ithaca College.

Join us for an inspiring journey of professional development at CSI Northeast – a unique collaboration between Conn Selmer Institute, Ithaca College Bands and the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA). This transformative event will take place on the picturesque campus of Ithaca College from August 13th to 15th, spanning two and a half enriching days. Empower, educate, and elevate your craft as a music educator, administrator, or college student at this immersive event and foster meaningful connections within the music education community. While we are thrilled to partner with NYSBDA, attendees do not need to be a member of that organization in order to participate in CSI Northeast. All music educators, administrators, and college students are invited to attend CSI Northeast – an event that promises to be like no other.

Be inspired by the wisdom and enthusiasm of Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, whose keynote address will leave you with a renewed sense of purpose and an unwavering commitment to your students and your craft. Step into the spotlight as you participate in the director’s band, under the expert baton of Dr. Paula Crider and create unforgettable musical memories. Soak in the knowledge offered by an experienced faculty and world-class Conn Selmer Educational Clinicians. Our Conn Selmer clinicians are shown below, and more will be added as they are confirmed. Beyond the classroom, we believe in fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. Join us for evening excursions that promise to be a delightful blend of networking, relaxation, and pure fun. Forge connections that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this exceptional professional development event. Secure your spot today and embark on a journey of growth and inspiration. Join us and experience the magic of CSI Northeast!

Clinician Application Procedure:

The New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) is pleased to announce application
procedures for participation in the Conn Selmer Institute North East in Ithaca, New York, from
August 13-15, 2024. If you are interested in presenting your own clinic or having your group
present a performance clinic, please follow these application procedures:
I. Complete the following: NYSBDA Summer Conference Proposal Form
Or forward a letter of application by February 23, 2024 to Corey Riley at
nysbdavp1@nysbda.org Please include the following information in your letter:
Individual Clinic:

  • Your name, home address, phone numbers and email.
  • Your clinic title and brief description.
  • Date and location of last clinic presentation, if applicable.
    Ensemble Performance Clinic:
  • Your name, home address, phone numbers and email.
  • Your clinic title and brief description.
  • General information: Name of ensemble, number of players in the performing
    group, special honors the group has received, copies of recent programs, and any
    additional information you feel would be helpful in the selection process.
  • 2024 Symposium Conducting Clinic Application

    Our conducting clinic will be led this year by our Living Legend, Dr. Frank Ticheli. If you are interested in being considered to conduct during this session, please fill out the fields below by JANUARY 15, 2024. All efforts are made to choose conductors that represent a wide range of experiences. Anyone interested is encouraged […]

    2024 NYSBDA Symposium Call for Clinicians and Performing Ensembles

    The New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) is pleased to announce application procedures for participation in the annual NYSBDA Symposium in Syracuse, New York, from March 1-3, 2024. If you are interested in presenting your own clinic or having your group present a performance clinic, on this topic or any other, please follow these application procedures:

    I. Forward a letter of application by Saturday, October 7, 2023 to Jackie Kovacs at fpresidentelect@nysbda.org Or use this google form link: https://forms.gle/KpfaiLBE6nAHrvsH9

    Please include the following information in your letter: 

    Individual Clinic: 

    1. Your name, home address, phone numbers and email. 

    2. Your clinic title and brief description. 

    3. Date and location of last clinic presentation, if applicable. 

    Ensemble Performance Clinic: 

    1. Your name, home address, phone numbers and email. 

    2. Your clinic title and brief description. 

    3. General information: Name of ensemble, number of players in the performing group, special honors the group has received, copies of recent programs, and any additional information you feel would be helpful in the selection process. 

    II. Sample Performance requirements for Ensemble Performance Clinic: Please submit two or three representative musical selections in digital format, preferably via web links (e.g. YouTube, SoundCloud, Google Drive, etc.). These may be from any time in the last 2 school years (2021-present). 

    III. Applicants should be aware of the following: 

    The selection process is entirely at the discretion of the NYSBDA board. Each accepted individual or organization accepts clinic date & time, as well as length (typically 60 minutes) and format as prescribed by NYSBDA. NOTE: PERFORMING GROUPS MUST PRESENT A PERFORMANCE CLINIC AND NOT JUST A PERFORMANCE.

    Each accepted applicant/organization is responsible for procuring their own transportation and meal arrangements. NYSBDA provides one night of hotel accommodation to each presenter (NOT ensembles). All presenters are expected to be members of NAfME or one of its affiliates (e.g. NYSSMA or another state organization) at the time of presentation. 

    IV. Groups will be notified of acceptance by NYSBDA by October 31, 2023.

    2023 Summer Conference Directors Band

    NYSBDA Directors Band

    NYS Summer Music Conference 2023

    Sunday & Monday August 13-14, 2023

    Albany Hilton Hotel

    40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207

    The 2023 NYSBDA Directors Band will be led by Anoa Green, Baltimore School for the Arts. Join us for this amazing, intensive and rewarding experience. Register online using the Google Form below. This will help with instrumentation and organization of music folders. 

    Please register for the NYS Summer Music Conference as well. This will give you access to reading band sessions and numerous clinics. Check it out at http://www.nyssma.org/

    All participants are encouraged to be current NYSBDA members who are registered for the New York State Summer Music Conference.

    Rehearsals:

    Sunday, August 13, 2023, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

    Monday, August 14, 2023, 4:00 pm-6:45 pm

    Program: 

    Big City Lights- Marie Douglas

    Sleep- Eric Whitacre 

    American Hymnsong Suite- Dwayne S. Milburn

    Slava! Political Overture- Bernstein, arr. Clare Grundman     

    Concert (to include the Directors Band, Chorus and Orchestra)

    Monday, August 15, 2023, 8:00 pm

    Concert Attire: 

    All Black

    Please register online using our Google Form. 2023 Directors Band Registration

    Questions: Contact NYSBDA 3rd VP Jackie Kovacs at vp3@presidentnysbda-org

    Bylaw Revisions Spring 2023 Proposal

    NYSBDA is in the midst of Bylaw Revisions and the final step in the process is for our general membership to vote on the proposed changes. This linked document outlines the proposed changes in Red. The committee has carefully considered changes to our language that more accurately reflect the goals and mission of our organization. […]