FBA 2025 Summer Conference

July 9-11, 2025

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Paula Crider

Following a distinguished 33-year teaching career, Paula Crider continues to share her passion for making music as guest conductor, lecturer, clinician and adjudicator in the U.S. and abroad. She is Professor Emerita at The University of Texas, where she was twice awarded for distinguished teaching.

Crider has taught in the public schools at all levels, and holds the unique distinction of having been the first female in Texas to serve as director of bands at a class 5-A high school. She presents seminars throughout the U.S. She serves as coordinator for the National Band Association Young Conductor/Mentor Program, is Educational Consultant for Conn-Selmer, and was recently appointed to the Midwest Clinic Board. She is a Past President of the National Band Association and American Bandmasters Association.

Crider has written numerous articles for The Instrumentalist, The Band Director’s Guide, and National Band Association Journal, and manuals for brass techniques, marching band methods and instrumental conducting. She is co-author for the Masterwork Studies series (Hal Leonard) and author of The Conductor’s Legacy (GIA).

Awards and honors include the Tau Beta Sigma/Kappa Kappa Psi “Outstanding Service to Music Award,” Sudler “Legion of Merit,” Women Band Director’s International Rose, Grainger Society Medal, Kappa Kappa Psi Bo Makvosky Memorial Award, National Band Association AWAPA Award, 2004 Texas Bandmaster of the Year, Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame, and Midwest Medal of Honor. She considers her greatest honor to be the privilege of working with all who share a passion for excellence in making music.

Schedule Overview:

• Monday, July 7: FBA Board Meeting, 7-Star Band Rehearsal
• Tuesday, July 8: Adjudication Training (requires separate registration), 7 Star Band rehearsals and social hour, Booster workshop
• Wednesday, July 9: 7-Star Band concert, 9-Star Rehearsal, FBA Summer Conference Sessions
• Thursday, July 10: 9-Star Rehearsal/Concert, FBA Summer Conference, FBA Jazz Institute
• Friday, July 11: FBA Jazz Institute

Full schedule coming soon.

Hotel:

DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
10100 International Dr
Orlando, FL  32821

• The $145 per night rate is good for July 5 through July 14
• For July 7-11, the Resort Fee is waived and parking is complimentary for attendees who book within the group block
• Deadline to reserve at this rate is June 16, 2025 at midnight

Book Your Room Online

Exhibitors

Please see the Exhibitor Information Page.

Honor Bands

7-Star Honor Band Nominations now open

9-Star Honor Band Nominations now open 

Future Summer Conferences:

2026: July 7 (Adjudication Training), July 8-10 (Conference and Jazz Institute)