2024 CBDNA/NAoAB Symposium

May 29-June 1, 2024

Hosted by the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana
John Combs, UM Alumni Band, serves as the NAoAB liaison for the symposium. Contact NAoAB with registration questions.

We are holding our fifth annual Alumni Band Symposium in conjunction with the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) national athletic band directors conference, hosted by the University of Montana Grizzly Marching Band in Missoula, MT.

ALUMNI REGISTRATION INFO: www.cbdnamontana.com

Registration Fee

  • $175 – Early Bird Rate (Register by April 30)
  • $185 – Regular Rate (Registering May 1 and after)
  • DOES NOT include lodging fees or optional activity fees. (see below)

Registration Fee Includes

  • Access to ALL Clinics
  • Symposium Gift
  • Welcome Reception on Wednesday
  • Breakfast on Thursday and Friday
  • Lunch on Thursday and Friday
  • Transportation and Admission to Thursday Social Event
  • Banquet on Friday Evening

Schedule

Wednesday, May 29

Optional Activities from 9a-4:30p

  • Golf Tournament (optional)
  • Disc Golf Tournament (optional)

Thursday, May 30

Sessions from 9a – 5p

  • Opening Session with CBDNA/NAoAB
  • Break-out Sessions
  • Thursday Night Excursion

Friday, May 31

Sessions from 9a – 4p

  • Break-out Sessions
  • Closing Session
  • Friday Night Banquet with CBNDA / NAoAB

Saturday , June 1 (open and/or travel day)


Optional activities with additional fees

Annual Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 29, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. 

The golf tournament is at the Canyon River Golf Club next to the Blackfoot River. This is the same river featured in the 1992 movie “A River Runs Through It.” Buses will leave the Music Building on campus at 9:00 AM and drop you at the golf course. 

The $75 registration fee covers:

  • Greens Fees
  • Cart Rental
  • Box lunch/water delivered on the course
  • Transportation to and from the club
  • Club rentals/other beverages NOT included
Disc Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 29, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.​

We will be providing a disc golf experience at Blue Mountain. The disc golf area features an 18-hole golf course with beginner and pro tees available.

The $25 registration fee covers:

  • Transportation to the course
  • Driver disc and putter disc rental
  • Box lunch to take with you on the course
  • Bottle of water


Hotel Accommodations

Double Tree by Hilton – Missoula Edgewater or Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown

Both hotel options are located near the University of Montana campus with excellent amenitiesHousing must be booked separately and you can find more about each with links to register on the conference website.

Air Travel to Missoula

Flights will be in and out of the Missoula Montana Airport. There are shuttle services and car rental options that can transport you to the University of Montana Campus. (approximately 8 miles / 15 minutes travel time)​

Both hotel options offer airport shuttles. Also, Dr. Griggs has arranged for a rental van to transport to and from the airport. More information can be found on the registration form.

Proposed NAoAB Session Topics (subject to change)

  1. Communicating with your Band Director – A panel of three collegiate band directors in an open Q&A session
  2. Working with your Development Officer – Focus on scholarships and fundraising.
  3. Alumni Pep Bands – How to start, expand, and use an Alumni Pep Band at your university.
  4. Videos, Images, and More – How to market the alumni band using social media.
  5. Preserving your Band History – Archives, Video, Photos, Memorabilia
  6. Alumni Auxiliary – How to Increase membership and attendance from your non-instrumental alumni members.

“Thanks to the last year’s symposium, we had the most successful Homecoming event in our very young history. We used many of the ideas that you all brought to the symposium and came away with a balance that I then believed we could turn around this year and use to support our student band, the #1 reason for the existence of our band alumni organizations!”

Sarah Eishen, San Diego State University