CBDNA Performance and Tour

A-State Wind Ensemble performing in Riceland Hall, Fall 2019. Photo Credit Chandler Weber Creative.


The College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) is the largest and most prestigious organization for collegiate band programs in the world. CBDNA provides opportunities to recognize artistic band programs through conference performances. Ensembles selected to perform must complete a blind, peer-review process. During the summer of 2019, the A-State Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the CBDNA Southwestern Division Conference on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, on February 20, 2020. 

Performing at the CBDNA Southwest Divisional Conference is extremely competitive. This division includes colleges and universities from the states of Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. This is the sixth time the A-State Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform for this particular conference. The previous occasions were 1986 with Dr. Tom O’Connor, 1992 with Dr. Pat Brumbaugh, 1998 with Dr. Tom O’Neal, and 2010 and 2014 with current Director of Bands, Dr. Tim Oliver.

As part of this performance, the A-State Wind Ensemble conducted a concert and rehearsal tour. Performances included a Side-by-Side Concert at Van Buren High School in Van Buren, AR as well as rehearsals at Norman High School with composers Andrea Reinkemeyer and Derek Jenkins, a member of the A-State Music Faculty. Dr. Sarah Labovitz, Associate Director of Bands and Coordinator of Music Education and Dr. Steven Riley, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands, joined Dr. Oliver to conduct the A-State Wind Ensemble during the tour and performances. The pieces performed were Clutch by Andrew David Perkins, Soulström by Jodie Blackshaw, Dos Danzas by Andrea Reinkemeyer, Rock Bottom by Derek Jenkins, and Epiphanies (Fanfares and Chorales) by Ron Nelson. Nelson, like the A-State Bands, is also celebrating his 90th birthday this year.

Composer Andrea Reinkemeyer offered the following about the students of the A-State Wind Ensemble after their CBDNA Performance. “Their musicality and excitement about making new music together through nuance and beauty was such a joy to witness!”