Concert Band MPA Announcements
 

• MPA-Rule 3c will be suspended for 2024 MPA events. The intent is to allow directors to duplicate personnel in order to fill in sparse or missing instrumentation for a second band. 

• No electronics will be allowed for future Concert Band MPA events unless specified by the composer.”

• Concert Band MPA events in 2024 will utilize UIL Levels 1-5 and bands will return to sight-reading ONE level below the grade level of their stage music.

• Bands will be allowed to program flex-band arrangements of titles that are currently on the MPA list for 2024. They will enter under the category of "Flex". Flex-bands will be required to sight-read at the appropriate level (pending approval in November). Flex-bands will receive a rating.

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A sub-committee has been formed to explore the diversification of the MPA repertoire list and also to investigate current repertoire on the MPA list that potentially promotes cultural and/or racial bias. 

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DEI Statement

 

Drawing from Velvet Brown's forward in The Horizon Leans Forward, NCBA believes it is imperative to recognize, respect, and foster diversity in classical wind band music. As educators, it is our responsibility to bring forward and continuously highlight the talents and contributions of people of all colors, genders, and sexualities. Humanity is plural, not singular. By performing, learning about, and collaborating with composers, musicians, artists, and educators from underrepresented communities, our students will gain a broader perspective on music and the world they live in and learn to embrace the diversity of humanity. We call all educators of the NCBA to diversify our thought processes, our education, and to champion the creative output of "others." 

 

Statement prepared by Carolina Perez, Band Director, North Carolina School of Science and Math.

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NCBA will increase awareness and discourse on the issues of repertoire's historical context and diversifying repertoire programmed at MPA events. NCBA is committed to statewide professional growth on the topic of diversification, equity and inclusion in band repertoire.

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A separate Google form link will be added to this page for members to submit repertoire to be reviewed for cultural misrepresentation. This would be separate from the link we use for pieces to be removed due to quality. Pieces that are flagged and submitted by a NCBA member will be reviewed by the MPA DEI subcommittee. The subcommittee will investigate submissions on a case-by-case basis and provide research/educational material to be included on the MPA list (via hyperlinks) with factual historical context. Directors can review/utilize these materials for programming purposes. The intent will not be to remove repertoire but to educate the membership on its accurate historical/cultural context.

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NCBA will schedule DEI clinics at the NCMEA Professional Development Conference and/or sponsor DEI webinars during the regular school year to provide educational opportunities to the NCBA membership.

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Utilize These Links for Year-Long Programming​

• Diverse Composers of Wind Band Music

• Institute for Composer Diversity

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Concert Band Music Performance Adjudication

 

The North Carolina Bandmasters Association (NCBA) sanctioned concert band festival will: 

Provide a performance opportunity for students and directors that offers a critical assessment of the quality of their performances by highly qualified experts in band performance.

Encourage participation in the only state-sanctioned event that provides a summative, standards-based assessment, designed to measure student performance as related to the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

Provide the opportunity for students and directors to perform for and learn from their peers in a formal concert venue.

Provide a model that connects quality preparation with quality performance and supports the continued musical growth of students and directors.