Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the North Central Division of the College Band Directors National Association Conference. We are delighted to gather with you from April 9–11, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as we celebrate the artistry, innovation, and collegial spirit that define our community. This year’s conference promises to inspire and inform our music making. 

Throughout the conference, we will have the opportunity to hear from an array of presenters led by distinguished members of our profession. These presentations will explore fresh perspectives on the numerous assets within our profession and the evolving role of collegiate bands in today’s musical landscape. 

In addition, we are proud to present a series of outstanding performances. Ensembles from across our conference—and from our host institution—will showcase compelling programs featuring both revered masterworks and bold, innovative new compositions. These concerts highlight the remarkable talent, dedication, and creativity found throughout our collegiate band community.

Dr. Rodney Dorsey will conduct the 2026 Intercollegiate Honor Band. The ICB will give the final performance of the conference in the storied Hill Auditorium. If you have had the opportunity to see Dr. Dorsey rehearse and conduct, you already know this will be a monumental experience in the development of the musicians who participate. 

Personally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Professor Jason Fettig and the University of Michigan Band Program for their exceptional leadership, hospitality, and thoughtful preparation in hosting this year’s conference. Ann Arbor provides an inspiring setting for our time together. You are invited to explore the city, exchange ideas with colleagues, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that makes our conference a meaningful gathering for all who attend. We look forward to learning, sharing, and celebrating with you.

Warmly,

Scott Teeple

President, CBDNA–North Central Division

Greetings, colleagues,

CBDNA. The University of Michigan last hosted the National Conference more than a dozen years ago, and we are excited to welcome our members back to beautiful Ann Arbor to take in a fantastic collection of performances, presentations, and opportunity for fellowship. As the current President of the National Band Association, I am also excited to open this conference to our friends in this significant advocacy organization, giving us all a chance to make new friends and connections across our entire band community.

All the large ensemble performances will occur in the famous and historic Hill Auditorium. If you are unfamiliar, Hill is one of the premiere venues in the Midwest, and a frequent stop for the very best orchestras and artists in the world. We will have access to Hill for the duration of the conference, and our exhibitors, poster sessions and some coffees will be in the building. Presentations and a post-concert reception on Friday evening after the concert will be in some of the historic adjacent buildings to Hill, right in the heart of Central Campus and downtown Ann Arbor.

The two conference hotels are the Residence Inn and the brand-new AC Hotel; both are within a 10-minute walk and just a few blocks from the best restaurants, coffee houses, and shops Ann Arbor has to offer. The conference will be starting early on Thursday and ending midday Saturday this year, so make plans to come on Wednesday evening, if possible for you. A special bonus concert will be given by the U-M Concert Band in Hill on Wednesday night!

I am exceedingly grateful to NC-CBDNA President Scott Teeple and the CBDNA planning team, as well as my U-M co-hosts Dr. Courtney Snyder, Dr. John Pasquale, and Dr. Richard Frey, the wind conducting studio members, and our fabulous production staff for their invaluable work putting this conference together. We hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be a wonderfully enriching gathering in this wonderful place!

With warmest regards,

Jason K. Fettig

Director of Bands, University of Michigan