Then and Now

In 1972, a group of friends came together with a common goal:  create a summer band circuit so that their students can have the opportunity to experience band as they had - and build friendships and musicianship along the way. 

That group of friends became the Mid-America Competing Band Directors Association and their bands became some of the best in the country.  MACBDA bands were perennial top 12 finalists in the Bands of America Summer Circuit as well as the Wisconsin State Music Association Fall Championships.  Several of MACBDA's concert groups went on to gain national renown as the "Best of the Midwest." 

Now, the spirit of those early days lives on as MACBDA continues to set the pace for summer marching band performance and competition.  Not quite fall marching band and not quite drum and bugle corps, the MACBDA circuit combines the best elements of both into our relatively short summer season, providing our students with unforgettable memories, meaningful friendships, and a life-long love of music and the arts.   

The Future

In the early days, MACBDA was comprised of a few bands from a small geographic area.  Later, the MACBDA influence extended to more than 40 bands all over the Midwest and Canada.  As we look to the future, we are excited to realize that MACBDA is again growing and welcoming in new bands and energetic new directors as well as new show coordinators all over the Midwest.

In this day and age of strap-tight budgets and burgeoning curriculums, the MACBDA summer circuit is an excellent advocacy tool for many modern band programs.  Not only are most MACBDA bands primarily funded by their members and booster organizations (thus not requiring school district funds) but MACBDA bands which are affiliated with school districts can earn state educational credits for each student that participates.  For many districts, this extra funding from the state can mean the difference between a vibrant instrumental music program, including the summer component, and no instrumental music at all.

In an effort to provide these curricular bands with an opportunity to gain access to these state funds, we've found that while some bands would march in the summer instead of in the fall, some bands prefer to couple their participation in MACBDA with their preparation for the fall competitive season.  Whether your group is marching in the summer as part of your fall preparation or in lieu of a fall marching program, look no further.  MACBDA welcomes you!

Our circuit has a very bright future.  We are always looking for new members who are interested in providing students the opportunity to perform, learn, and grow through a summer band experience.  If you have questions about MACBDA or would like more information about becoming a member, visit our Contact Us page and submit your questions or contact our president, Nick Lane, directly.  Thanks!