Project Fair

The Mississippi ASBDA Young Directors Symposium is a specialized, state-level mentorship program hosted by the MS Chapter of ASBDA. The symposium is held during the Mississippi Bandmasters Association (MBA) annual State Band Clinic in Natchez to provide professional development, conducting tips, and networking for early-career band directors. There are usually three or four sessions provided by ASBDA members and non-members alike.  

The Young Director Outreach is a ZOOM session (using the ASBDA Zoom account) held throughout the year.  You do not have to be a young director to join. This will be done on the third MONDAY of each month from 7:00 - 8:00 pm via a provided Zoom link. We begin admitting participants at 6:45 pm.  Participants can be admitted at any time during the session. These meetings will consist of approximately 30 to 40 minutes of a chosen guest speaker.  The final time will be used as a question-and-answer time with our speaker and outreach committee. At the conclusion of the evening, we post the discussion to our YouTube page.  

The Concert Band Pre-Festival is held each spring at three or four locations throughout the state. Most sites operate over two days and feature three to four experienced clinicians. Scheduled before the State Music Performance Assessments, the event provides ensembles with a valuable opportunity to receive constructive feedback and refine their performances in a festival-like setting.

Each band is allotted 45 minutes on stage and may perform as much of its assessment program as desired. Throughout the performance, clinicians provide written comments and audio recordings that directors can use during subsequent rehearsals. Following the performance, one or more clinicians join the ensemble on stage to conduct a live clinic, offering immediate instruction and rehearsal strategies designed to improve musical performance and prepare students for their upcoming assessments.

The site hosts don't charge a fee for use of their space. We provide food for the clinicians, band staff, and custodial staff.  Each clinician receives a stipend of $250-$400.  Each performing band pays anywhere from $150-$250.  

The American School Band Directors Association's Mississippi Award of Excellence honors outstanding band programs. The committee evaluates a program's community impact and ten years of concert and sight-reading assessment ratings.   There are three to five members on the committee, and the award is given each year at the State Bandmasters meeting.   The associated cost is approximately $35.  We use the rebate from our National dues to cover the cost.