The Florida State University Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform at the 2026 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Southern Division Conference, February 19-21, 2026, hosted at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL.
Established with 40 members in 1941, CBDNA is a professional organization that now boasts more than 700 members dedicated to the advancement of wind band music in higher education. Members include performers, leaders, and educators devoted to the teaching, performance, study, and cultivation of music, with particular focus on the wind band medium.
The Wind Ensemble’s performance has been set for Friday, February 20 at 8:30pm in the USF Concert Hall. This will be the eighth CBDNA performance since 1990 by FSU ensembles, the last 5 of which have been led by current ensemble director, Dr. Patrick Dunnigan, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the Florida State University College of Music.
The conference, held in conjunction with the National Band Association Southern Division, will host numerous high school and college ensembles from across the Southeastern United States. In addition to the featured concerts, the conference will present numerous clinics and research presentations. Conference attendees will include notable conductors and educators from around the world.
Selected from a pool of 27 applicants, the Wind Ensemble will be one of six college ensembles chosen to perform at the event. Applications were evaluated through a blind audition process by outstanding peer conductors from across the nation.
“The recordings we submitted were simply outstanding,” says Dunnigan, “I could not be prouder of our talented students for securing this invitation. Their musicianship and dedication is second to none.”
In addition to the efforts of the ensemble members, Dunnigan is quick to recognize the impact of College of Music faculty.
“I am grateful to our amazing performance faculty for their continued support of our students and large ensembles,” says Dunnigan. “This invitation is a reflection of the great studio teaching that our students receive every day.”
This performance will be open to all audiences, free of charge; conference attendance is not required.
