The College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Music for All (MFA), and National Band Association (NBA) are dedicated to the attainment of a high level of excellence for bands and band music at all levels of instruction. The Dr. William P. Foster Music Education Alliance “Award of Excellence” recognizes quality band programs which are challenging students and reaching a high level of excellence. The “Community Development Award” honors select educators who provide strong music education experiences for their students and a positive impact on their school and community.
Award
High School recognition at Midwest Clinic 2023, Middle School recognition at Midwest Clinic 2024
Schools receiving the Dr. William P. Foster Music Education Alliance “Award of Excellence” will be visited by national committee members and presented with a commemorative plaque. In addition, the school will receive the following during the committee visit:
- At least one full school day of rehearsals, meetings, and master classes will be provided during the regular school day on the school’s home campus. The visit agenda will be negotiated with the host band director. Area band directors will be invited to participate and benefit from this visit. Part of the visit must include an informal meeting and discussion with the school principal, head guidance counselor, and other administrators.
- Other agenda options might include specific needs of the program; review of music library, instrument and equipment inventories; review of instruction facilities, rehearsal/class schedule, etc. to help define future program needs and goals.
- The host band director will assist in the selection of the visiting clinicians. These clinicians will be of national stature and will be selected from Conn-Selmer, KHS America or Yamaha educational resources. The Music Education Alliance will pay and be responsible for all costs related to the provision of visiting clinicians. A concert is encouraged as a venue for the award presentation and a culminating event to the visit.
- Schools can opt to extend the stay of visitors at their own expense. The dates for the event will be held during the following calendar year after the Midwest Clinic, as determined by the recognized school.
Community Development Award
The Community Development Award will be given to band directors who provide strong music education experiences for their students and a positive impact on their school and community. Candidates will be nominated via online form. Nominees are then requested to provide a short written description of their students, school, and community impact, as well as references and supporting documents. A committee of the Dr. William P. Foster Project Advisory Board will be formed to select a winner in each division.
Award of Excellence and Community Development Eligibility
The “Award of Excellence” will recognize high school programs during odd-numbered years and recognize middle school and junior high programs during even-numbered years.
- For example, Middle and Jr. High School programs will apply on or before June 15, 2022, and winners will be announced at the 2022 Midwest Clinic. High School programs will apply on or before June 15, 2023, and winners will be announced at the 2023 Midwest Clinic.
The “Community Development Award” will be given annually and the deadline for the nominations is June 15 every year.
Schools and band directors are eligible to apply for this award regardless of membership in NBA or CBDNA. However, all applicants are strongly encouraged to join their national professional organization.
Band directors need to be in their position for at least five years before they are eligible to apply.
The intent of the award is to serve underserved and historically disadvantaged students and schools. At least 50% of the school must be on free or reduced lunch to be considered for the award.
Award of Excellence Application Guidelines
High School School recognition at Midwest Clinic 2023, Middle School recognition at Midwest Clinic 2024.
The following information is required:
- A video, no more than 15 minutes in length, of a rehearsal from the primary auditioning ensemble showing student interaction. Videos will only be used for the evaluation process and will not be shared with anyone beyond the evaluation committee, or on social media.
- Completed application signed by the principal and band director indicating that the submitted recordings have not been edited and are live recordings from a concert, as well as the fact that your school has 50% or higher free or reduced lunch. Also, the signature acknowledges that all division winners/national finalists will be invited to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago for their award presentation.
- A summary of the school’s demographics that has been verified by a school administrator. This should include verification that over 50% of the school is on free or reduced lunch as established by Federal standards. Verification should be in the form of a link to an official school district, state or federal web page indicating the most recent free or reduced lunch information, in addition to verification from the administrator. Schools with less than 50% free or reduced lunch may still apply, but must include a rationalization for consideration of the award consistent with the intent of serving disadvantaged students and schools.
- Letters of endorsement from the following people testifying to the impact and quality of the band program:
a. An administrator or master educator within their building who can address the impact on students and the building culture.
b. An established community member or a respected music educator in the area. They should address the impact on the music education community in the area and/or the community that the school serves. - A summary of following in a word document:
a. The band program’s history
b. Band involvement in the school
c. Band involvement in the community
d. Parent involvement in the band program
e. Funding for the band program, including district funding and fund-raising
f. Student profile: student leadership positions, student-led learning, participation in summer camps or private lessons, general description of student life including those holding full-time jobs out of school
g. Notable alumni of the program, including graduates that have pursued careers in music. - A high resolution digital photograph (if possible) of the band director (within the guidelines of the school district). This photo should be the best available, but it does not have to be a professional photo.
- A high resolution digital photograph (if possible) of the applying band (within the guidelines of the school district). If this band is a division winner, this photo will be used in all national publicity. A picture from the most recent school year is highly recommended. This photo should be the best available, but it does not have to be a professional photo.
- Biographical information of the band director(s), including education, teaching positions, professional activities and memberships.
- Recordings
a. High School (even years): Up to 30 minutes of unedited, recorded music from a live concert or public concert band performance, if a concert band exists in the school. If concert band is not available, a recording of what the director deems as the primary ensemble in their school can be submitted.
b. Middle School (odd years): Up to 20 minutes of unedited, recorded music from a live concert or public concert band performance, if a concert band exists in the school. If concert band is not available, a recording of what the director deems as the primary ensemble in their school can be submitted.
c. Directors have the option of also including additional ensembles from the program that display notable performance strengths within the time limit noted above.
d. Submissions must include musical material from at least two different school years and they must be recorded within three years of the date of application.
e. Recording dates and locations should be included with the recordings.
f. There should be NO voice identification on the recording of the performing ensemble.
g. Recordings should be submitted as mp3 files only. Use of the best recording equipment available is acceptable. If assistance is required, contact the Program Administrator. Contact information can be found at the end of this document. - Applications should be completed through our online system (see link on this page). Documents (PDF files only) and recordings (MP3 files only) should be uploaded through the online application. Videos must be submitted as an on-line link via YouTube, Vimeo, etc. An account is created to access the online application. Applications may be updated/re-visited but must be fully completed and submitted by the June 15 deadline.
PLEASE NOTE: The application must include an accompanying statement of explanation for any absent required items. Missing items will strongly impact the viability of the application. Missing items not explained in the application will disqualify the entire application from consideration.
Applications are due by June 30. There is no application fee for this program.
Community Development Award Application Guidelines
Process:
- A national nomination will come from Foster Project Divison Chairs, Advisory Board, and Music Education Alliance members.
- Selected nominees must have completed at least their fifth year in their current position
- Nominations will be due June 30. Here is a link to the nomination form.
- Nominees will be notified by July 15.
- Nominees must submit the following supporting documentation by August 1 to this link.
- List of references (administrators, parents, other community members)
- Brief statement explaining a philosophy of support and education in their community
- Evidence of a strong music education and positive impact on the community, i.e. references, testimonials, news articles, local community awards, supporting data, etc.
- Dr. William P. Foster Project Award Committee Process
- Calls references
- Nominees may be asked to supplement documentation in support of the nomination, in addition to items requested earlier in the process
- Division Award winners will be announced by late October in time to plan possible travel for presentation at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL
- Winners will be presented at:
- Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic Diversity Reception
- National Band Association General Membership Meeting
- College Band Directors National Association Forum
- Additional Publicity of Winners will be posted on organizational websites and social media
- Nominator Form requests contact information for themselves and a nominee, as well as a brief recommendation statement
Recognition Timeline and Process
An Evaluation Committee for both awards will be formed in the summer prior to the beginning of the school year, comprised of members and/or designees of CBDNA, MFA, and NBA, including successful and experienced band directors from under-represented communities. This committee will evaluate all applications and administer this process.
“Award of Excellence”
- Submitted applications and supporting materials will be organized and forwarded to the Evaluation Committee by September 1.
- Materials will be reviewed by the Evaluation Committee and up to five finalists will be selected by October 15.
- Applications and supporting materials for the division winners will be organized and forwarded to the National Evaluation Committee by November
- An Evaluation Committee will meet via conference call prior to the Midwest Clinic to select the final award winner(s).
- The finalists and national award winner(s) will be announced at the NBA Annual Membership Meeting at the Midwest Clinic, the CBDNA Forum, and the Music for All booth.
- All Division winners will be recognized at the Midwest Clinic Diversity Reception held annually in Chicago. It is the hope that all division winners will be present. Please explain to your administration.
“Community Development Award”
- Nomination will be submitted via online form by June 30
- Nominees will be notified by July 15 and requested to submit support materials by August 1 via this online form.
- The Evaluation Committee will review the supporting materials and meet via conference call prior to the Midwest Clinic to select winners representing each division.
- The award winner(s) will be announced at the NBA Annual Membership Meeting at the Midwest Clinic, the CBDNA Forum, and the Music for All booth.
- All Division winners will be recognized at the Midwest Clinic Diversity Reception held annually in Chicago. It is the hope that all division winners will be present. Please explain to your administration.
Questions?
All questions regarding the application should be directed to:
Ms. Tiffany Hitz, National Award Program Administrator (fosterprojectawardofexcellence@gmail.com)
Online Application
Applications should be completed through our online system.
For “Award of Excellence:”
Documents (PDF files only) and recordings (MP3 files only) should be uploaded through the online application. An account is created to access the online application. Applications may be updated/re-visited but must be fully completed and submitted by the June 30 deadline.
For “Community Development Award:”
- Nominations will be submitted via this online form by June 30
- Nominees will be notified by July 15 and requested to submit support materials by August 1 via this online form.
2019-20 Dr. William P. Foster Project
Award of Excellence!
Division Winners
Southwestern Division
DeSoto High School
DeSoto, TX
Delton Brown, Director
Glenpool High School
Glenpool, OK
Ken Self and Douglas Reynolds, Directors
Fossil Ridge High School
Fort Worth, TX
Brad Allen, Director
Northwestern Division
A.C. Davis High School
Yakima, WA
Brian Beck, Director
Western Division
Rancho High School
Las Vegas, NV
Clinton Williams, Director
2018-19 Dr. William P. Foster Project
Award of Excellence!
Division Winners
North Central Division
Urbana Middle School
Urbana, IL
Karen DeBauche, Director
Southwestern Division
Austin Academy for Excellence
Garland, TX
Margaret Wis, Director
Lexington Trails Middle School
DeSoto, KS
Rob Foster, Director
Oliveira Middle School
Brownsville, TX
Gaspar Garcia, Director
Western Division
Washington Middle School
Honolulu, HI
Darin Ujimori, Director
Program of Distiction
Southern Division
Dunaire Elementary School
Stone Mountain, GA
Chelsea Cook, Director
2017-18 Dr. William P. Foster Project
Award of Excellence Division Winners!
Eastern Division
Randolph High School
Randolph, MA
Adam Shekleton, Director
Southern Division
Martin Luther King Jr. High School
Lithonia, GA
Travis W. Kimber, Director
Southwestern Division
S. P. Waltrip High School
Houston, TX
Jesse Espinosa Director
Western Division
McKinley High School
Honolulu, HI
Donna & Thomas Hesch, Directors
Northwest Division
Chiawana High School
Pasco, WA
Kevin Clayton and Peter Blake, Directors