New Hampshire Band Directors Association
New England Band Directors Institute 2025
NEBDI 2025
July 7, 8, & 9
Featuring – Andrew Boysen Jr.
Welcome to the New England Band Directors Institute at Keene State College
Since 1992, NEBDI has become one of the leading clinics for bands and band directors. NEBDI is a 3-day conference dedicated to music education at all levels. NEBDI continues to thrive thanks to our new hosts, Keene State College and Dr. John Hart, NEBDI Coordinator.
This three-day Institute is dedicated to band and music education at all levels and welcomes band directors and composers from around the country. Highlights include sessions on all aspects of music education, a rehearsal lab, score reading and rehearsal sessions, reading sessions for new band and jazz ensemble music, and a composer-led session on the composer’s own music.
Why attend NEBDI?
The Clinicians. NEBDI features clinicians who are outstanding music educators and who have a clear understanding of what makes bands work and what helps students learn. This Institute is an opportunity to develop your ideas and teaching methodologies in a relaxed atmosphere as you listen to others and join in the discussions. We try to address topics that will help us to grow, not only as teachers, but as musicians. At a glance:
Andrew Boysen Jr., featured composer & clinician
Brian Messier, Dartmouth College
Ken Clark, Timberlane Regional Schools
Pat Cunningham, Merrimack HS (former)
Patrick Kennelly, French horn
Glen D'Eon, Fall Mountain Regional HS
Lyndsay Boysen, Southern New Hampshire University
Heidi Welch, Vermont State University at Castleton
John T. Hart Jr., Keene State College
and more - check back soon for the full list...
MEET THE CLINICIANS – read their bios here! (COMING SOON)
The Vendors & Exhibitors. New England Band Directors Institute couldn’t happen without the support of the many vendors & exhibitors who support the Institute. With a long and growing list of vendors and exhibitors, you can expect to connect with industry leaders in instruments sales/rentals, repairs, music publishers, college & university admissions, and military bands. There’s something for everyone, so please support the people who support us!
Graduate Credit. Looking to move closer to that pay-bump, or simply want recognition for your professional development? As fellow educators, we understand, which is why we’re able to offer graduate credit. Those who wish to receive 1 graduate credit for their participation in NEBDI will write a brief follow-up paper based on their "aha!" moments and takeaways from the Institute. The paper is designed to be of direct benefit for your teaching next fall! Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for 18.5 hours of professional development are also issued for all participants.
Hands-on Sessions & Playing. It’s highly recommended that you bring your instrument to play with the Directors’ Band for the reading sessions. This year we have four reading sessions you won’t want to miss.
On-Campus Housing. We’ve got a room for you! Our air-conditioned rooms come with linens, towels, pillows, and are less expensive than the area hotels… just bring your own shampoo! People staying on campus may opt to bring additional blankets, etc., to enhance their comfort.
Off-Campus Accommodations. Don’t want to stay on-campus? We get that, too. If you’d prefer a hotel room, there are several great options in and around Keene. You’re advised to make your reservations as soon as possible, though! If you’re a KSC alumnus, you might be eligible for a discount at several Keene hotels. Click here for a list of hotels, inns and bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds in Keene.
Great Food. Not only will we provide coffee and tea during the day’s energy lulls, but food options on- and off-campus are excellent. Check out Yelp’s current list of top restaurants near Downtown Keene. Downtown Keene offers some great dining options.
The Recognition. Who doesn’t like a little recognition for their hard work? During the NEBDI Banquet, NHBDA will pay tribute to the latest recipients of the “Outstanding Band Director” and the “Outstanding Young Band Director” awards. We want this to be an important event of our Institute and a fitting tribute to these music educators.
The Location. Keene State College is located in the middle of New England, easy to locate, and easy to get to. All of our sessions will take place in the spacious Young Student Center, a gorgeous building with a towering Atrium, and glass walls facing the very green campus. Plus, nearby hiking trails offer stunning views of Mount Monadnock. Here are some maps to help you get here and to get around KSC, and Monadnock NH’s guide to the greater Keene area.
The FUN. Most importantly, NEBDI is some of the most fun you will have while learning and developing as a professional. Participants enjoy learning alongside a group of peers with similar interests, concerns, challenges, and celebrations. We have a good time networking, building friendships, and gaining lifelong colleagues. Listen to what your peers have to say:
I attended NEBDI at Keene State back in July, and I wanted to reach out and say a special THANK YOU, Dr. MacFadden, for your "Anatomy of a Rehearsal Cycle" session. I'm reviewing my notes as I prep for school to start, and it is all SO helpful! ~ Kristin Johnson
The best part about Bunny’s workshop is that it didn’t feel like a “101” type workshop. She did not focus on things like how to get the students instruments, retention, instrument balance or any idea concerning how to start a beginning band. It was purely focused on now that you have a band, how can you teach them in the best way possible. She’s an asset to our profession! ~ AJ Coppola
Elisa Saunders' composing workshop was by far my favorite session. She presented to us step by step how she gets her middle schoolers to compose their own instrumental duets, quartets and even band pieces. This workshop was of particular interest to me because I have been teaching composition to my 2nd-6th grade in general music so I was excited to see how she did this with all of her band students. ~Joyan Damon
The clinic “Starting and Supporting Young Tuba and Euphonium Players” presented by the Legato Pesante Tuba Quartet offered a myriad of of strategies and methods to not only start young low brass players but to sustain their enthusiasm by setting them up for measurable success throughout their journeys on an instrument that may at times be daunting because of its newness, size and considerable physical demands. If more students were able to experience a performance by a chamber ensemble with the caliber of the Legato Pesante Tuba Quartet it would certainly feed the fire of young tubaists and euphonium players alike to put in the hours and showcase their musical endeavors to their fellow bandmates. ~ Matthew Redmond
It was a no-brainer for me to attend the “Modern Band 101” session. I found this session to be extremely informative. The presenters [Joe Mundy and Ken Martin] put forth tons of information about how they run their modern band classes, how those classes got started and have evolved, how to acquire the needed equipment and supplies, and a suggested course outline and calendar. As I write this, I have begun putting together a proposed curriculum outline and some sample materials I can present to my district. ~ Matt Sypek
NEDBI 2024 was a fantastic experience and it was so nice to see it so well attended this year. I was once again impressed with the level of organization and how smoothly this event was run again. In addition to having Randall Standridge this year there were many different workshops that I found extremely helpful. I love attending conferences and workshops, it really helps reignite my love and passion for this profession. I always walk away feeling invigorated and ready to take what I have learned, and put the ideas into effect in my own classroom teaching. I have been teaching for the past thirteen years, but have only been a full time band director for five years, so I feel like I still have a lot to learn. Teaching in our own schools can sometimes feel like we are an island and that can be challenging. Being able to attend professional development with other band educators helps me feel less alone. ~ Eric Bonnett
The New England Band Directors Institute (NEBDI) is a gift. There are so many professional development opportunities, but few where you get to really immerse yourself in the experience like NEBDI. Not only are you staying on campus, you’re in workshops with people you know led by presenters you’ll be able to talk to throughout the year. I’m so excited that it’s back after COVID and I am excited to see it grow in future years. ~ AJ Coppola
Looking back on the NEBDI conference, I can strongly say that I walked away from it with so much more knowledge and many more ideas than I ever thought was possible from a three day conference. I was driving home each day of the conference coming up with more ways I can better help my students succeed, especially when it comes to instrument repair solutions, picking out music better suited for them, and how to teach and grow their fundamentals of music literacy and their reading skills. ~Teagan Sault
Thanks again to Dr. Hart and Keene State College for another informative & invigorating conference. I love that the material changes every year but is still relevant and engaging, and I can always find new concepts to explore while having the chance to (finally!) experience some professional development that is truly geared towards my profession. I am already looking forward to next year! ~ Courtney Randall
How to Register for NEBDI 2025
Click the link above to register for:
The New England Band Directors Institute
NHBDA Membership Business Luncheon (Monday afternoon)
NEBDI Banquet & Awards Ceremony (Tuesday evening)
Regular Rate: $150.00
Collegiate Rate: $45.00
Payment by Purchase Order is an option
Be sure to follow the directions if using this option to ensure prompt payment!
Please let your school district know of your intent to pay for NEBDI via Purchase Order FIRST to avoid confusion.
Remember, it is your responsibility to create the requisition for payment and ensure your district sends NHBDA the Purchase Order agreement using the details supplied to you via email. NHBDA will send an official invoice CC'd to you and your district's PO person.
Discount of $25 for active members of New Hampshire Band Directors Association
Check your NHBDA membership email for discount code
You do not need to be a member of NHBDA to attend the Institute
You can register for NEBDI first, then register for on-campus housing or graduate credit at a later date.
CLICK HERE to reserve your on-campus housing!
Reserve optional on-campus housing. Stay in an air-conditioned room on the Keene State College campus. Rooms are available starting Sunday, July 6th. Checkout is on Wednesday, July 9th. Linens and pillows are included, but you may want to bring additional blankets, pillows, comfort items, etc. Toiletries are not included, so plan to bring your own.
Step 3 (opt.): Graduate Credit
LINK COMING SOON!
Receive an optional 1.0 graduate credit through Keene State College. Looking to move horizontally on your district’s pay scale? Let us help you get a bit closer to that next column. When you register for the optional graduate credit—the course is called KSC-690: New England Band Directors Institute, repeatable every year—you’ll attend the Institute and enjoy three days of professional learning. After NEBDI you’ll write a reflective essay on your experiences and imagine some ways you can start putting your learning into action in the coming school year. Not only will you receive graduate credit, but your students will benefit from your reflective efforts.
* Housing and graduate credit are processed through Keene State College directly.
The deadline for housing and graduate credit requests is June 28th.
We look forward to seeing you at Keene State College on July 7–9 for three days of learning, playing, and networking!
NEBDI is proudly co-sponsored by the Keene State College Music Department and the New Hampshire Band Directors Association.
For all questions related to NEBDI, please email the NEBDI Coordinator Dr. John Hart at nebdi@nhbda.org.