The American Bandmasters Association ( ABA ) was formed in 1929 by Edwin Franko Goldman to promote concert band music. Goldman sought to raise esteem for concert bands among musicians and audiences. The reputations of concert bands suffered in comparison to symphony orchestras due to factors including "the concert band’s concert venue, often out-of-doors, the difficulty of conductors to obtain a quality music education, a limited repertoire that with the exception of marches was largely borrowed from the libraries of the orchestra, and a lack of camaraderie among the leading bandmasters/conductors of the period."
6-414: The ABA's current Constitution states that the organization shall: Membership is extended to the leaders of the wind band movement and is considered to be the highest honor given within the wind studies realm. The current president is Michael J. Colburn . Previous presidents include Goldman, Karl King , Charles O'Neill , Herbert L. Clarke , Henry Fillmore , and William D. Revelli . John Philip Sousa
12-459: A euphonium player and became the band's director in 2004. Colburn is a native of St. Albans, Vermont , and graduated from Bellows Free Academy there in 1982. He attended Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam for two years before transferring to Arizona State University , where he earned his bachelor's degree in music performance in 1986. He received his master's degree in conducting from George Mason University in 1991. As Director of
18-726: Is updated regularly. The ABA sponsors the Sousa/Ostwald Award , which rewards compositions for bands. The organization also produces the Journal of Band Research . Michael J. Colburn Colonel Michael J. Colburn (born 1964 in Vermont ) was the 27th Director of the United States Marine Band and a colonel in the Marine Corps . Colburn joined "The President's Own" Marine Band in 1987 as
24-698: The Marine Band, Colburn conducted the group's performances at high-level state events including United States presidential inaugurations , state funerals and state arrival ceremonies . Colburn retired his commission on 12 July 2014. He was succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Jason Fettig . Formerly director of bands at Butler University in Indianapolis , Colburn serves as Conductor of the Me2 Orchestra / Burlington , and in January 2023 he joined
30-423: The spheres of literature, performance, and pedagogy. The ABA is responsible for the commissioning of many of the wind band's most revered works, including Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger , Pageant by Vincent Persichetti , Strange Humors by John Mackey , and Endurance by Timothy Mahr . A list of the current and historical officers and membership can be found in the publication Lest We Forget , which
36-489: Was the first honorary life president. Membership is extended through invitation to conductors/teachers/directors considered to be exemplary professionals within the field. Associate Membership is available through invitation to "firms, organizations, and individuals engaged in the music industry or related field" who are closely affiliated with the ABA. The association has contributed to the wind and percussion band community through
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