NBA NEWS
EASTERN DIVISION ANDY YOZVIAK, DIVISION CHAIR Connecticut, Delaware, Main, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
CONNECTICUT
DELAWARE
MICHAEL BOWLES, CHAIR
HEIDI I SARVER, CHAIR
State Bandmaster Association website: cmea.org
State Bandmaster Association website: delawaremea.org
State Music Educators website: cmea.org
State Music Educators website: delawaremea.org
Noteworthy state news, events, and activities In the past year, all Connecticut State Events were canceled. This year we are still working with the state to get back to playing. We had an active marching band season and are resuming honors festivals and schools concerts. The New England States continue to work on a clinic festival for high school ensembles. Projects involving NBA Project Grant money New England continues to work on developing a concert band clinic festival for high schools. This event will utilize the United States Coast Guard Band. NBA citations/awards given in state this past year; recruiting efforts No awards were given in the past year. This year we will present the State Champion Marching Band Directors with a Citation of Excellence, as well as the bands performing at the All-State Festival.
Noteworthy state news, events, and activities Very little occurred during the 2021 academic year due to Covid-19. The state conference (which has always been a professional development day in October and not associated with All-State Festivals), did take place but as in a virtual setting via ZOOM. In the spring most public schools were still in a virtual setting. Universities moved back to more in-person settings. The University of Delaware resumed in-person ensemble rehearsals and concerts but with the following restrictions: • no more than 50 people in the rehearsal/performance hall; • all concerts were virtual; • all Covid-19 mitigation procedures in place (masks, bell covers, 6-9 foot distances between musicians. During the summer Delaware State University named two alumni as their new Director and Assistant Director of Bands. Fall has brought a return to in-person music programs in most of the public and private school systems, as well as the University of Delaware. While masks are still in place, settings have returned to pre-pandemic rehearsal structures and inperson concerts.
Projects involving NBA Project Grant money None NBA citations/awards given in state this past year; recruiting efforts Zoom coffee hours were attempted for directors with little interest. I attribute this to people focusing on their programs and working to rebuild them. As this winter and spring unfolds more attempts will be made to increase NBA exposure.
MARYLAND
RACHEL ZEPHIR, CHAIR State Bandmaster Association website: mmea-maryland.org State Music Educators website: mmea-maryland.org Noteworthy state news, events, and activities Spring virtual clinics on how to rehearse both middle school and high school ensembles. Incorporating both chamber music and flex ensembles into your program. Possible summer conducting workshop geared towards female middle and high school band directors.
MAINE
ANDREW YOZVIAK, CHAIR State Bandmaster Association website mebda.org State Music Educators website mainemmea.org Continued on next page
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