Home » UK School of Music to host American Bandmasters Association convention

UK School of Music to host American Bandmasters Association convention

Will include free concerts

U.S. Marine Band
U.S. Marine Band

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb.17, 2017) — The University of Kentucky School of Music will host the 83rd annual American Bandmasters Association (ABA) convention March 7-12. Approximately 500 ABA members, guest artists, ensemble musicians and family guests representing 42 states and four Canadian provinces are expected to be in attendance.

ABA, founded in 1929, has a current membership of approximately 300 band conductors and composers in the U.S. and Canada, and 80 associate members.

“Membership in the American Bandmasters Association is considered the highest honor achievable by American bandsmen; it recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of concert bands, and membership is awarded to individuals through a stringent vetting and electoral process by the active membership,” said John Cody Birdwell, director of UK Bands and organizer of the 2017 ABA convention.

Five free public concerts will be held at UK’s Singletary Center for the Arts featuring ensembles from UK; Dobyns-Bennett High School, in Kinsgport, Tenn.; Ohio State University; University of Louisville; and the U.S. Marine Band.