Dear Colleagues,

April 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Planning is underway for the 2026 Western/Northwestern CBDNA Division Conference, to be held March 18–21, 2026, at the University of Nevada, Reno. This conference presents a tremendous opportunity to celebrate outstanding performances by colleagues and students from our divisions, discover new repertoire and performance practices, and engage in research sessions that further the wind band as an artistic, pedagogical, and inclusive medium.

This biennium’s conference revisits Reno, showcasing world-class acoustics for chamber performances in the new Barbara and Harlan Hall Recital Hall, as well as large ensemble performances in the venerable, re-tuned Nightingale Concert Hall at the University of Nevada Reno, School of Music. Attendees will enjoy recently renovated and affordable accommodations at Caesars Resorts THE ROW in Downtown Reno. With convenient direct flights and close driving proximity to many locations across the Western U.S., Reno remains easily accessible for Western/Northwestern membership and performing ensembles. 

Apply to Perform

We invite you to submit an application to bring your Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Chamber Wind Ensemble, or other wind-oriented ensemble to perform at the conference. In support of members’ tenure and/or promotion files, recordings will be peer-reviewed through a blind process. 

To apply, please complete the following steps:

  1. Complete the online application [here].
  2. Upload sound files [here].

Audio submissions should include 30–40 minutes of unedited recordings from a live concert or concerts from one or more of the following semesters: Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025. Files must be in MP3 format, with a maximum file size of 5GB per track. For works with multiple movements, each movement may be uploaded as a separate track.

Please name each track using the following format: number (corresponding to the program order on your application form), university name, and title of the work.
Example: 01 - University Z - Holst - Suite in E-flat, Chaconne.mp3

Apply to Present
We also invite proposals from national membership along with Western and Northwestern division members for 50-minute presentations of scholarly work related to the wind band medium and its advancement as an artistic, pedagogical, and inclusive discipline. In support of members’ tenure and/or promotion files, proposals will be peer-reviewed through a blind process.

To apply, please complete the online application [here].

Deadline
The deadline for all submissions is June 7, 2025.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact either one of us.

Sincerely,

Reed Chamberlin
President, Western Division
University of Nevada, Reno
rchamberlin@unr.edu

Angela Schroeder
President, Northwestern Division
University of Alberta
angela4@ualberta.ca