NC Chapter, American School Band Directors Association - ASBDA

06/27/2026

Great representation at our National Convention this week from the North Carolina Chapter. We’ve had a great week connecting with other members across the country in Cleveland.

06/25/2026

Congrats to our state chapter for receiving the “State Award” at the National Convention this week in Cleveland. From meetings and socials to service to the profession we work to stay active and visible in music education in our state and region!

06/21/2026

Congrats to North Carolina’s own Roosevelt Pratt Jr for his recent induction into the Music Greeks Hall of Fame last weekend in Atlanta, Georgia!

Roosevelt spent 28 years leading E.E. Smith High School's "Magnificent Marching Machine” in Fayetteville, NC. His marching and concert bands were a joy to listen to at marching contests, MPA, and most memorably when they performed the NCMEA Convention. We are proud to have him as a NC American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) Member and congratulate him on this much deserved honor.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYSydlFpL2I/?igsh=a205ZWY3MXNkM3Q5

06/20/2026

Big note of appreciation and recognition of the ASBDA Members from NC, SC, and VA that attended and presented at the Building Better Bands Clinic this week. The clinic was a great time and extremely well attended this year. The Inaugural Rising 9 Honor Band was also a rousing success! The size of the band and the quality of player was terrific. Thank you to member Mark Norman and the Piedmont Wind Symphony for their inspiring concert on the same program. Congrats to our members who presented:

RISING 9 HONOR BAND
Tiffany Hitz- Conductor
Carrie Lineberger- Chair

Presenters:
Debbie Davis
Liz Hasty
Tom Jenner
WC Lanning
Quincy Lundy
Mark Norman
Roosevelt Pratt
Leslie Phillips
Phillip Riggs
Lt. Col. Jeff Warner
Rodney Workman

06/19/2026

Congratulations to Whit Blount for being accepted into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA)!

Members of the ASBDA must be nominated and sponsored by a peer who is a current member of the ASBDA and demonstrate a high level of experience, excellent moral character, and quality of
musicianship. The standards are high, and his membership demonstrates excellence in our band program.

06/07/2026

05/24/2026

Mr. Hosea Brower (1950-2020), North Carolina.

Hosea was raised in Moore County, North Carolina. He attended elementary and middle school in Carthage and Southern Pines. Hosea's love for music began at a very early age. His passion created opportunities to graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts High School in Winston-Salem, Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA (Bachelors and Masters) and studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

He touched the hearts of many students. Hosea, HB, or Brower, taught at Peabody Junior High in Petersburg, VA, Matoaca High School in Chesterfield County, VA, Hopewell High School in Hopewell, VA, Bertie County Schools in Bertie County, NC, Edwards Junior High in Rocky Mount, NC, Rocky Mount Senior High School in Rocky Mount, NC, and Henrico High School in Richmond, VA. He gave countless private lessons as well as serving the community through the joy of music.

He was a member of the American School Band Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tar River Orchestra, Richmond Pops, North Carolina Music Educators, North Carolina Bandmasters, National Education Association, North Carolina Association of Educators, Virginia Music Educators, Virginia State University's Sports Hall of Fame, Modis Phi Modis, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.



His honors and awards include the following:
Graduated from the NC School of the Arts
Virginia State University Athletics Hall of Fame
More than 40 years in music education (NC and Virginia)
including 20 years at Rocky Mount High School
Eastern District Bandmasters Association's Award of Excellence
Do Something Award Winner - Richmond, Virginia
Member of the Tar River Orchestra and Richmond Pops

The NC ASBDA Legacy Project was started by Ruth Petersen(NC) in 2020.
NC Chapter, American School Band Directors Association - ASBDA

05/24/2026

Jay Bolder (1958–2024), North Carolina.

A native of Monroe, North Carolina, Jay Bolder graduated from Wingate University in 1980 and began his career in Cumberland County, teaching in both middle school and high school programs. He remained there for 30 years until his retirement in 2010. From 2011 through 2013, he held interim positions in both Cumberland County and Scotland County. Beginning in 2013, he served as a part-time assistant director and academic teacher at Central Academy for Technology and Arts in Monroe. He also served as a clinician in both North and South Carolina.

He was a prolific composer, arranger, and adjudicator. His bands were exemplary in many areas, including marching band, concert band, jazz band, pop band, and full orchestra. His programs also participated annually in Solo and Ensemble MPA. His personal philosophy for music education was to offer music to anyone who wished to learn. His bands garnered 41 Superior ratings at Concert Band MPA, usually taking three bands per year and, on one occasion, taking four. His bands performed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Virginia, and on a cruise to the Bahamas. Forty of his students enrolled in college as music majors, many later becoming band directors. He performed in musicals, community bands, symphony orchestras, Top 40 groups, and jazz ensembles. His varied experience also included casting and choreographing scenes for the film *Bolden*.

He received “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine,” the highest civilian honor bestowed by the state of North Carolina. Hope Mills, the town where he taught, honored him with “Jay Bolder Day.” He was a member of state music and instrumental organizations. In addition, he held memberships in the Cumberland County Band Directors Association, Southeastern District Band Association, South Central District Band Directors Association, and the American School Band Directors Association.

Former Director of Bands at South View High School, where the program grew to 255 members in the 1990's
41 ratings of "Superior"
40 students went on to major in music
Awarded North Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Was recognized with "Jay Bolder Day" in his adopted hometown of Hope Mills
Involved in casting and choreography for scenes in the movie "Bolden"
NC Bandmasters Association's Hall of Fame



The NC ASBDA Legacy Project was started by Ruth Petersen(NC) in 2020. NC Chapter, American School Band Directors Association - ASBDA

05/15/2026

On May 3rd the North Carolina All State 9-10 Band premiered “Echoes Across the Pines” by Brian Balmages.

The piece was commissioned by friends and family, with assistance from the North Carolina Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), to honor the life and legacy of Ron Payne. The commission chair was Michael Hough who spearheaded the idea and made it become a reality.

Ron was a well known, well loved, and respected band director and ASBDA Member in NC. As the composer said: “He was particularly known for the musicality he brought to the podium, and some of his favorite pieces were lyrical, yet uplifting works. It is with this in mind that the piece came to life.”

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Dominic Talanca, conductorNorth Carolina 9-10 All- State Honors BandMay 3rd, 2026UNC-Greensboro AuditoriumEchoes Across the Pines was commissioned by friends...