Concert Band MPA Announcements for Spring 2025
 

• 3C. When a school has more than one band, students may participate in multiple ensembles, but the total number of students performing on the same instrument in more than one ensemble must not exceed five (5) students. For the purposes of calculating duplicate personnel, if a student performs on different instruments listed separately for All-State Honor Band auditions in multiple ensembles, they would not count as duplicates.

• 3E. Any band which performs music not on the North Carolina Bandmasters Association approved list for the year will receive comments from judges but will be officially disqualified and not receive a rating.

• 7C. Each band must prepare a march of the director’s choice and two compositions (or one composition if it is on the Grade VI list and considered a Masterwork) from the Official North Carolina Bandmasters Association Concert Band MPA Music List. Bands must choose pieces from the same grade level or from two adjacent grade levels. All three pieces will be adjudicated and considered for the final rating. 

• 8A: Sight-reading will be required of all bands in Grades II–VI. Grade 1 bands will not sight-read. The sight-reading score will be included in the overall rating for all participating bands unless the band is performing for comments only. Bands will read one concert selection. One sight-reading judge will be used; the judge will make taped comments and use the sight-reading form. 

• 8B. Bands and directors will have time to look at the music. Directors will be
  allowed to look at the score as soon as the judge begins reading the script.
  Students will have time to look over the music according to the grade level of
  music. The times are Grades II, III, and IV - five minutes; Grade V - six minutes;
  Grade VI - seven minutes. During that time, they may clap rhythms, sing parts,
  count out loud, and finger instruments, but they may not play their instruments.
  Each band may

• 8C. During the actual performance, directors may call out rehearsal letters or numbers and verbal cues (e.g. “more trumpets” or “tubas watch”) but may not sing parts or rhythms while the band is playing. Only one director may work with the band in the sight-reading room, and only directors whose names appear on the event registration form may be present in the room during the sight-reading preparation and performance time. Exceptions to this (medical purposes, etc.) are up to the discretion of the event chair. The time limit in the sight-reading room will correspond with the given amount for the concert performance. 

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NCBA MPA Committee Report - May 3, 2025

NCBA MPA Committee Report - November 10, 2024

NCBA MPA Committee Report - April 27, 2024

NCBA MPA Committee Report - November 4, 2023

NCBA MPA Committee Report - April 30, 2023

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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.