College Band Directors National Association Archives

Individual Collection name:
College Band Directors National Association Archives

Repository name:
Special Collections in Performing Arts, Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, University of Maryland

Type: Official records of the College Band Directors National Association

Collection dates: 1941-current

Extent: 15 linear feet

Description: This collection contains the records of the College Band Directors National Association board of directors, officers, committees, annual conferences, and the CBDNA Archives. It also contains copies of the CDBNA Newsletter and other publications, as well as oral histories.

Statement of provenance: The CBDNA Archives was established in 1983.

Governing documents: The CBDNA Archives are governed by an agreement made between the Association and the University of Maryland dated 18 January 1983.

Finding Aid: An unpublished finding aid is available in the repository.

SCPA shelf location: SCPA Collections Room, Aisle F

Access: Materials from this collection must be used in the Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10 to 5, Monday through Friday. Please make an appointment with the curator.

Organizational History: The College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) began its existence as a committee of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). The Committee on College and University Music was so dominated by band directors in the mid-1930s that it soon became known as the Committee on College and University Bands. In the fall of 1938 that committee, under the leadership of William Revelli, met independently in Chicago. The group met again in December 1941 and formed the University and College Band Conductors Conference. The name of the organization was changed to the College Band Directors National Association in 1947.

Organization Website: CBDNA

Series Arrangement:
Series I: Governing Documents
Series II: Officers
Series III: Committees
Series IV: Initiatives
Series V: National Conferences
Series VI: Publications
Series VII: Regional Chapters

Series Description:
Series I: Governing Documents, contains correspondence and information bulletins relating to the CBDNA Archives and the CBDNA Board of Directors. This series also houses proposed and approved drafts of the CBDNA's constitution and by-laws, and some general histories of the organization, including taped interviews with past presidents.

Series II: Officers, contains materials relating to particular CBDNA officers. These are divided into subseries by office, then by officer/term and arranged chronologically. The most important offices covered in this series are those of President and Secretary/Treasurer. All individuals to serve in those capacities are listed in this finding aid, and in some cases the researcher is directed to other collections covering those officers. The CBDNA Archives do not yet contain materials related to all Presidents or Secretary/Treasurers. Presidential papers often include materials on national conferences that augment those found in Series V. The materials of the Secretary/Treasurer include annual reports, information on changes in membership, correspondence, deposit slips, and other materials.

Series III: Committees, contains reports and correspondence pertaining to CBDNA committees. Materials are divided into subseries by title of committee. Some of the committees included here are the Steering, Research, Membership, Compositions, Acoustics, and Marching Band committees. Researchers are reminded to investigate the officer papers housed in Series II for additional information on committees active during the period under investigation.

Series IV: Initiatives, contains reports and correspondence pertaining to initiatives undertaken by the CBDNA. Materials are divided into subgroups by title of initiative. In many cases these are informal surveys of the CBDNA membership, papers read at national conferences, publication efforts, memorials, or symposiums.

Series V: National Conferences, contains programs, correspondence, travel information, news clippings, and planning materials pertaining to each of the CBDNA's national meetings. This series is divided into subseries by year of convention.

Series VI: Publications, contains manuscripts and correspondence pertaining to the CBDNA Journal, "The School Musician Band Stand," CBDNA Newsletters, and membership directories.

Series VII: Regional Chapters, contains meeting and officer information relating to the various CBDNA chapters.

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