NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University will host the annual College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference on Feb. 20-23.
The conference will include professional presentations at the Chateau St. Denis Hotel in downtown Natchitoches, conducting sessions and presentations of juried marching band videos.
As part of the conference, a number of top middle school, high school and collegiate wind ensembles will perform in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium on Feb. 20-22. The performances are free and open to the public.
On February 20, the LaVilla School of the Performing Arts Wind Ensemble from Jacksonville, Florida, directed by Ann Adams Valle and the South Forsyth (Georgia) Middle School Symphonic Band directed by Andrew Poor will perform at 2 p.m. The concert will include a solo by NSU Assistant Director of Bands Dr. Oliver Molina. The Hoover (Alabama) High Symphonic Band directed by Ryan Fitzpatrick will play at 3:30 p.m. The Lafayette High Symphonic Winds directed by Scotty Walker will perform at 7 p.m. with the University of Alabama Symphonic Band conducted by Randall Coleman presenting a concert at 8:30 p.m.
The UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble conducted by Shawn Smith will perform at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, followed by the University of Central Florida Wind Ensemble conducted by Scott Lubaroff at 3:30 p.m. and the Florida Atlantic University Wind Ensemble conducted by Kyle Prescott at 7 p.m. Northwestern State University’s Wind Symphony conducted by Jeffrey C. Mathews will present a concert at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Ocean Springs High School (Mississippi) Wind Symphony conducted by Mohamad Schuman performs at 10:45 a.m. with the Eastern Kentucky University Wind Ensemble conducted by Andrew Putnam playing at 1 p.m. The concerts will conclude with the Belmont University Wind Ensemble conducted by Barry Kraus at 2:30 p.m. and the University of West Georgia Wind Ensemble conducted by Josh Byrd at 4 p.m.
The featured clinician and guest speaker for the conference is Allan McMurray, professor of conducting emeritus and distinguished professor at the University of Colorado. McMurray is recognized as one of the leading teachers of wind ensembles and conducting in the world.
