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For Professional Development hosted by PMEA or NAfME, see the Professional Development Opportunities page of the PMEA Website.
(Updated March 10, 2025)
Athena Summit
The Penn State School of Music will host the inaugural Athena Summit, a transformative event designed to inspire and empower young musicians, on Saturday, March 29, at the Blue Band Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.
he Athena Summit is a groundbreaking opportunity for young musicians — especially 6th-12th grade girls, collegiate women and young women band directors — to grow as leaders both within their band programs and in their broader communities. With a dynamic lineup of expert clinicians, interactive activities and leadership development sessions, the summit is poised to make a lasting impact on students from across Pennsylvania.
The event, hosted by Penn State School of Music, Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin, director of wind band studies, and Micki Ferguson, associate director of athletic bands, will include workshops designed to foster essential leadership qualities, such as self-confidence, teamwork and effective communication — skills that extend beyond the band room. Students will also learn from distinguished educators and music professionals who are leaders in the field. These sessions will provide practical insights that students can apply directly to their musical journey. The summit provides a unique chance for students to connect with like-minded peers from across the region, forming friendships and professional networks that will support their growth. The event aims to inspire students to feel energized and empowered to make meaningful contributions to their band programs and communities.
The deadline to register is March 15. Registration is available at AthenaCamp.com/summits.
Since its inception in 2011, the Athena organization has positively impacted countless young musicians, fostering a sense of motivation, empowerment and resilience. The Athena Summit at Penn State is open to all instrumentalists, regardless of ability level, making it an inclusive space where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
3/15/25
IWBC, the International Women’s Brass Conference
The IWBC, an international music conference, will be hosted by the Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut this May 21-24, 2025.
IWBC, the International Women’s Brass Conference, is a time to celebrate music and build a community in support of women and gender-marginalized brass musicians. The conference is open to all genders and all ages and will have people of all genders (including male) participating and competing.
The 2025 Conference will bring together everything you love about an International Women’s Brass Conference from the inclusive atmosphere, incredible performances, enriching presentations, and competitions for all with new and exciting events highlighting the talent of rising student stars in the brass world and celebrating the rich history of musicianship in this area of the country.
Some highlights of the 2025 conference:
Over 100 recitals and lectures
Exhibitors including instrument, equipment, and music vendors
Featured guest artists include: Monarch Brass, Athena Brass Band, Barbara Hull, Bria Skonberg, Layan Atieh, Sasha Romero, Hillary Simms, Bente Illevold, Meredith Fuller, and more!
Competitions with over $45,000 in cash prize money and new instruments (all competitions are open to all ages and genders)
Solo Competition: 2 age categories, each grand prize is $5,000
Ensemble Competition: like instrument ensembles with 3 or more players, grand prize is $5,000
Mock Orchestra Audition Competition: grand prize is a new instrument* and cash prize money.
See the website for details, not every instrument winner gets a new instrument
Mock Band Audition Competition: first prize is $300 for each instrument
Jazz Competition: grand prize is $1,000, 2 age categoriesFor more information on competitions and a full list of prizes, visit our website: https://conference.myiwbc.org/competitions/
Anyone can attend the conference for free as a volunteer and we are still accepting judges for some of our competitions (who also attend for free). Group warmups, masterclasses, and a brass ensemble reading session open to all
To register to attend and/or compete at the conference: conference.myiwbc.org
5/15/25
East Coast Band Conference 2025
The thirteenth East Coast Band Conference will again be hosted by the Ringgold Band in Reading, PA. The date is Saturday, March 22, 2025.
The conference, dedicated to band history and repertoire, will consist of 30-minute talks from 9 a.m. until noon and an open rehearsal of rare band works from 2 to 4 p.m. Both events will take place in the Ringgold band’s rehearsal room at 3539-A Freemont St., Laureldale, PA 19605. The rehearsal room is a veritable museum of Ringgold Band history and by extension Reading band history. There is ample free parking at the site.
Members of the Ringgold Band, directed by Chuck Ebersole, will form the core of players at the rehearsal. You are encouraged to bring your instrument and augment the band. If you choose to do so, please write to Chuck Ebersole at 147 Walnut St., Mohnton, PA 19540 or email him at chucksfz@gmail.com and let him know.
If you wish to have a rare band work performed at the rehearsal, please inform Mr. Ebersole and then send him a xeroxed copy of the score and parts well in advance of the conference so the band can rehearse it beforehand. If you wish to conduct the work yourself, let him know.
The conference is free of charge and there is no formal registration. In order to estimate the attendance, however, please notify me at hcrissey45@gmail.com of your intent to attend. I hope to see you there.
Here is the list of the 30-minute presentations in the morning:
1) Jim Shufelt -The Carlisle, PA Band
2) William Rehrig – Out of Hiding: Music That Has Been Accumulating
Dust for Far Too Long
3) Timothy Kaiser – “Good Music at the Disposal of Everyone”: Inside
the Frank Simon Archive
4) Jon Mitchell – Juan Morel Campos and the Ponce, Puerto Rico Municipal Band
5) Dave Detwhiler – Sousaphone Milestones in Sousa’s Incredible Band
6) Jari Villanueva – A History of Taps (with reference to bands)
3/15/25