Arkansas Bandmasters Association

08/14/2025

08/08/2025

🌟 Day 4 – The Grand Finale of the 51st ABA! 🌟

We wrapped up an incredible conference with a morning full of learning, connection, and inspiration.

🚌 Bus Drivers Workshop – We’re so thankful our bus drivers could join us to earn their recertification right here at ABA. You keep students safe, and we appreciate you!

🎶 Clinics – Kim Webb inspired us with Planting the Seeds of Culture, and Dr. Brandon Robinson gave us powerful tools for Getting More Out of Your Student Leadership. Two outstanding sessions to close out our week.

Thank you to everyone who made the 51st ABA so special! 🎺🎼

08/06/2025

We’re so happy to have our retired band directors as part of ABA! 🎶 Thank you for choosing to come back and stay connected to the band world!
Your presence, wisdom, and continued support mean the world to our community. 💙

08/04/2025

🎶 Nothing brings more energy and joy to ABA than making music together! A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Arkansas Instrumental Ensembles — Arkansas Flutes, Arkansas Clarinets, Arkansas Saxophones, Arkansas Trumpets, Arkansas Horns, Arkansas Trombones, and Arkansas Tuba Euphoniums. 🎺🎼🎷

You bring LIFE to our convention, and we love giving you the opportunity to share your talents and make music with friends old and new. 💙

08/03/2025

What a great ABA luncheon! 🎺✨ Congratulations to these soecial award recipients:
Christian Davis, Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Band Director

Joe Trusty, John Barbarotto Lifetime Service Award

Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Contributor to Arkansas Bands award was presented to Destination Band Camp. Receiving the award for the camp was DBC Camp President Ricky Brooks.

A highlight was Mayor George McGill presenting President Hope Bruner with a key to the City of Fort Smith and proclaiming it ‘Hope Bruner Day’! 🗝️🎉

Thank you to Immediate Past President Aaron Durham for announcing the new slate of officers and presenting Hope with her past president plaque — we’re excited to see what next year’s leadership brings!

08/03/2025

🎺 Day 3 at ABA — Part 2 Highlights!

After a fantastic luncheon, the afternoon rolled right into a full slate of impactful clinics! Directors had the chance to dive into:

• Preventing marching band injuries
• Flute fundamentals
• Using MusicFirst & technology to enhance your band program
• A special session honoring our history – A Conversation with Sissy Pierce, celebrating her tremendous legacy and highlighting the importance of remembering those who paved the way for Arkansas bands

We also enjoyed an outstanding demonstration clinic with an ensemble from Berryville High School with Dallas Brass founder Michael Levine (no stranger to ABA), focusing on how ensembles can be used within your school and community to grow your program — plus helpful tips for securing grant funding along the way!

Another afternoon packed with inspiration and practical tools for success! 🎶

08/03/2025

🎶 Day 3 at ABA — Part 1 Highlights!

The morning kicked off with the incredible Marcia Neel, wrapping up her final presentation “Five Smart Ways to Retain This Year’s Beginners” — a perfect start to Day 3!

We were also treated to a phenomenal demonstration clinic led by three outstanding out-of-state clinicians:
• Dr. Richard Crain — a beloved ABA regular
• Jonathan Andino
• The legendary Stan Mauldin
Featuring student musicians from Portsmouth Northside and Southside, this session was packed with practical tips for strengthening the fundamentals of your band program 🎺🥁🎷

Day 3 also marked the final opportunity to visit our exhibitors, whose support and resources are essential to making ABA possible. We are incredibly grateful — we truly couldn’t host this clinic without you! 🙏

08/03/2025

🎷✨ What a night at ABA! The Jubilation Jazz live-on-air radio show was an absolute hit — featuring an incredible ensemble of both active and retired band directors (how lucky are we?!). The energy in the room was unmatched as they brought comedy, swing,and style to the stage.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better… they came back with a second act of electrifying, high-energy jazz that had us all buzzing!

Thank you to Wally Fowler and all the members of Jubilation Jazz for an incredible concert!

08/03/2025

🎶 Nothing makes us prouder than seeing Band Director Kids (BDKs) thriving at ABA — and older ones working alongside us to make this convention happen! 👏 Whether you grew up in the band hall or are currently a “BDK in attendance” at ABA, we are so happy to see you. 💛

From behind the scenes to front-row seats, thank you for continuing the legacy and keeping the band fam strong!

08/02/2025

🎉 Big congratulations to Carl McCraney Jr., the 2025 Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year! 🎶 We are thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved honor and even more excited that Carl will be serving as the ABA President for 2025–2026.

Carl’s passion, leadership, and dedication to music education continue to inspire us all. Congratulations, Carl — we’re proud to have you leading the way! 👏🎺🥁

08/01/2025

BDK pic 2025! ♥️

08/01/2025

🎶 Day Two at ABA = Amazing! 🎶

What an incredible second day at the 2025 Arkansas Bandmasters Association Convention!

🌟 We kicked off with a powerful and inspiring keynote address from Marcia Neel, followed by insightful clinics from Marcia and Dr. Joe Clark—packed with tools for music education success.

🎼 The Conducting Symposium was a highlight, led by the phenomenal team of Dr. Nick Balla and Dr. Chris Knighten—what a masterclass in leadership and musicianship!

🧘‍♂️ Ben Light led a refreshing clinic on health, wellness, and the importance of taking time for yourself—featuring a calming sound bath to help ease the stress of a busy school year. 🧘‍♂️🎶

🛍️ One of the biggest moments today was the grand opening of the Exhibit Hall! We’re so thankful for our amazing exhibitors whose support makes ABA possible. Be sure to stop by tomorrow and check out the incredible resources and opportunities available to you.