The National Band Association, founded on September 11, 1960, is the largest professional organization for bands in the world. It was organized for the purpose of promoting the musical and educational significance of bands and is dedicated to the attainment of a high level of excellence for bands and band music. The NBA is an organization open to anyone and everyone interested in bands, regardless of the length of experience, type of position held, or the specific level at which one works. The membership roster includes professionals and students from every facet of the band world. NBA is today’s professional organization for band directors, and it stands ready to serve all members of the association through a variety of projects and initiatives.
Educational Purposes
- To promote and empower band performances throughout the world
- To encourage and promote the commissioning and performance of new wind band music
- To provide inclusive and authentic professional development opportunities and resources for everyone
- To acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of bands, educators, performers, and band support organizations
- To promote pride, commitment, and enthusiasm among band directors and performers
- To encourage lifelong involvement in music and to support interested students in pursuing musical careers
- To promote an inclusive community among directors, performers, the music industry, and all other band support organizations
History
The National Band Association was founded on September 11, 1960. The organization was the dream of Traugott Rohner, former editor and founder of The Instrumentalist magazine. Rohner set up a meeting with three of the most capable leaders among America’s band directors, Al G. Wright (Purdue University), John Paynter (Northwestern University) and Earl Dunn (Ball State University). These highly respected leaders established a new, inclusive band organization that grew into the largest professional band organization in the world. Elected by the membership every two years, you can see the type of people who have not only been involved with, but have guided the National Band Association since 1960.
Past Presidents
| Dr. Al G. Wright (1960-1961) Honorary Life President | John P. Paynter (1960-1966) Honorary Life President | Edward W. Volz (1966-1968) | Dr. William J. Moody (1968-1970) |
| Col. George S. Howard (1970-1974) | Earl Dunn (1974-1976) | Dr. William D. Revelli (1976-1978) | Dr. W J Julian (1978-1980) |
| Kenneth Bloomquist (1980-1982) | Dr. James Neilson (1982-1984) | James K. Copenhaver (1984-1986) | Dr. James Croft (1986-1988) |
| Frank B. Wickes (1988-1990) | Edward S. Lisk (1990-1992) | Robert E. Foster (1992-1994) | Col. John R. Bourgeois (1994-1996) |
| James Keene (1996-1998) | Dr. Thomas Fraschillo (1998-2000) | Paula Crider (2000-2002) | Dr. David Gregory (2002-2004) |
| Dr. Linda R. Moorhouse (2004-2006) | Dr. Bobby Adams (2006-2008) | Col. Finley Hamilton (2008-2009) | Dr. John Culvahouse (2009-2012) |
| Roy Holder (2012-2014) | Dr. Richard Good (2014-2016) | Scott Casagrande (2016-2018) | Dr. Scott C. Tobias (2018-2020) |
| Dr. Rebecca Phillips (2020-2022) | Randall O. Coleman (2022-2024) | ||
| John M. Long Honorary President (2012) |
Membership
The National Band Association includes in its membership thousands of present and future band directors from every facet of the profession from university, military, professional and community band directors to elementary, middle and high school band directors from the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands. We also have a large contingent of student members who belong to the NBA.
Projects which Impact the Band World
- William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest (established in 1977) – Sponsored in part by Bob Rogers Travel.
- Merrill Jones Composition Contest for Young Bands (for music grades 3-4) – Sponsored by Wingert Jones and the University of Kansas
- Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest – Sponsored by Vandercook College in 2018
- Alfred Publishing Young Band Composition Contest (for music grades 1-3) – Sponsored by Alfred Music
- Young Composer Mentor Project – Sponsored in part by Bob Rogers Travel, GIA Publications, and Texas Music Festivals.
- Young Conductor Mentor Project – Sponsored in part by Bob Rogers Travel, GIA Publications, and Texas Music Festivals.
- Symphonic Band Rehearsal Symposiums
Research supported by NBA, a few projects listed:
- “The Mid-Twentieth Century Renaissance and the American “Symphony for Band”
- “A Survey of Four Composition Contests for Wind Band”
- “Alfred L. Watkins: Crossing Cultural Bounds”
- “Researching and Recording Selected Wind Band Compositions of James Clifton Williams”
- “The Rock and Roll Wind Ensemble”
- “Native Voices”
- “School Bands in Illinois: 1884-1930”
- “Data Collection for the Wind Band in Japan”
Awards Recognizing Excellence
- Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors at Troy University in Troy, Alabama
- Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA)
- National Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award
- NBA Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
- Outstanding Mentor Award
- Citation of Excellence
- Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence
- Outstanding Band Musician
- Outstanding Jazz Educator
- Outstanding Jazz Student
- Music Camper Citation
- Band Booster Award
Publications
NBA Journal (published quarterly), and now includes peer reviewed research
The NBA Selective Music List (Concert Band and Concert Marches)
Member Magazine
The Instrumentalist (five issues published a year)
Outreach Activities
- Mentoring for the Young Teacher
- Young Conductor Mentor Project
- Young Composer Mentor Project
- Rehearsal Symposiums
- Composition Contests
- NBA Advocacy
Committees which Connect to the Band World
- Music Education (at all levels)
- Music Publications/Projects
- Jazz Activities
- Marching Band Activities
- Intercollegiate Activities
- Military/Professional Activities
- Music Advocacy
- Music Industry
- Community Bands