2026 Call for Modern Band Showcase Applications
The NYSSMA Emerging Ensembles Committee is calling for applications for its Modern Band Showcase!
2026 Application Information (Click on the links below or scan the QR Code)
- NYSSMA 2026 Modern Band Showcase Application Announcement
- NYSSMA 2026 Modern Band Showcase Application Requirements & FAQ’s
Applications open February 15th, 2026 and close May 15th, 2026.
Send any questions to Lindsey Williams at williamsl@oacsd.org
2026 Modern Band Showcase for Students
The showcase is an opportunity for distinguished modern band students from across New York state to collaborate with each other, and elite modern band coaches, for a three day period in preparation for performance. Their performance will be a featured event of the 2026 NYSSMA Winter Conference on Saturday afternoon, December 5, 2026.
Applications open February 15th, 2026 and close May 15th, 2026.
Send any questions to Lindsey Williams at willaimsl@oacsd.org
2026 Modern Band Showcase for Students
The showcase is an opportunity for distinguished modern band students from across New York state to collaborate with each other, and elite modern band coaches, for a three day period in preparation for performance. Their performance will be a featured event of the 2026 NYSSMA Winter Conference on Saturday afternoon, December 5, 2026.
Clinicians for the 2026 Modern Band Showcase are Dr. Bryan Powell & Dr. Raina Murnak
Dr. Bryan Powell is Associate Professor of Music Education and Music Technology, and Coordinator for the Recording Arts and Production degree at Montclair State University where he teaches classes in music education, music technology, popular music, and directs the Montclair State University popular music ensemble. Bryan is also the Chief Program Officer for the non-profit organization Music Will. Prior to joining Montclair State, Bryan worked as the Director of Programs for Amp Up NYC, a partnership between Berklee College of Music and Little Kids Rock. A former NYC public school music teacher, Bryan has served as the Executive Director of the Association for Popular Music Education since 2013, an organization dedicated to promoting and advancing popular music at all levels of education.
Dr. Powell is the current Chair of the International Society for Music Education’s Committee for the Popular Music Education Special Interest Group, and is the Past-Chair for the National Association for Music Education’s Special Research Interest Group for Popular Music Education. Bryan is an in-demand clinician, having delivered modern band and popular music workshops at over 50 colleges and universities across the globe, and has presented at over 100 music education conferences, including providing keynote addresses at the 2015 Research in Popular Music Education Symposium in Huddersfield, England, the 2018 Mountain Lake Symposium, the 2019 Iowa Music Educators Association conference, the 2024 European Music Educators Association conference, and the 2026 South Carolina Music Educators Association conference. Bryan is also in demand as a modern band ensemble director, serving as Director for the 2022 NAfME All-National Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2023 NAfME All-Eastern Division Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2022 New York City All-City Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2022 PMEA District 7 and 2023 PMEA District 8 All-District Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2023 Missouri MEA All-State Popular Music Collective, the 2024 New Jersey honors Modern Band, and the 2024 Maryland All-State Commercial Music Band, the 2024 New Hampshire All-State Modern Band, the 2025 Oklahoma All-State Collective Ensemble, the 2026 Delaware All-State Modern Band, and the 2026 Pennsylvania All-State Modern Band.
Bryan is a widely published researcher and author. He is the founding co-editor of the Journal of Popular Music Education, a peer-reviewed, academic journal. Bryan has co-edited several books including the Bloomsbury Handbook of Popular Music Education (Bloomsbury), Places and Purposes of Popular Music Education: Perspectives from the Field (Intellect), Teaching Instrumental Music: Perspectives and Pedagogies for the 21st Century (Oxford University Press), and The Modern Band Handbook (OUP). Bryan also co-authored multiple books including Popular Music Pedagogies: A Practical Guide for Music Teachers (Routledge) as well as The Music Learning Profiles Project: Let’s Take this Outside (Routledge). He has published dozens of articles in peer-reviewed journals and has authored multiple chapters in Oxford and Routledge Research Handbooks.
Bryan holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Pepperdine University, a Master’s degree in Teaching from Chapman University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University
Dr. Raina Murnak is President of the Association for Popular Music Education (APME) and Assistant Professor and Studio Director of Contemporary Voice and Performance Artistry at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where she also serves as Program Director of the MA in Popular Music Pedagogy. For over two decades, she has been at the forefront of reimagining music education, performance, and creative leadership for the 21st century artist.
A multidisciplinary artist and creative visionary, Murnak’s work spans vocalist, composer/songwriter, producer, performance coach, visual artist, choreographer, actress, author, and entrepreneur. Her artistic practice is rooted in expressive freedom, embodiment, and well-being, merging rigorous musicianship with bold, contemporary storytelling. Recent highlights include contributing vocals to Pharrell Williams’ Grammy-nominated film Piece by Piece, as well as performing internationally with his VOICES OF FIRE ensemble, including appearances at the Vatican and the Toronto Blue Jays World Series celebration.
Murnak is a sought-after clinician and speaker, presenting globally on popular voice, stage presence, movement, strength-centered pedagogy, and artist wellness. She is the author of Positive Psychology for Music Professionals (Routledge), offering practical tools for cultivating creativity, resilience, and authentic artistic lives. Her work has also been recognized internationally through the AI Song Contest, where she was a two-time global finalist, placing third worldwide.
As a creator for the stage, Murnak’s original musical Belva, co-written with actress Janine Turner, continues its development with upcoming performances in Texas. She holds degrees from SUNY Stony Brook (BA, MA) and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Miami, along with a certificate in Instructional Design from Oregon State University.Clinicians for the 2026 Modern Band Showcase are Dr. Bryan Powell & Dr. Raina Murnak
Dr. Bryan Powell is Associate Professor of Music Education and Music Technology, and Coordinator for the Recording Arts and Production degree at Montclair State University where he teaches classes in music education, music technology, popular music, and directs the Montclair State University popular music ensemble. Bryan is also the Chief Program Officer for the non-profit organization Music Will. Prior to joining Montclair State, Bryan worked as the Director of Programs for Amp Up NYC, a partnership between Berklee College of Music and Little Kids Rock. A former NYC public school music teacher, Bryan has served as the Executive Director of the Association for Popular Music Education since 2013, an organization dedicated to promoting and advancing popular music at all levels of education.
Dr. Powell is the current Chair of the International Society for Music Education’s Committee for the Popular Music Education Special Interest Group, and is the Past-Chair for the National Association for Music Education’s Special Research Interest Group for Popular Music Education. Bryan is an in-demand clinician, having delivered modern band and popular music workshops at over 50 colleges and universities across the globe, and has presented at over 100 music education conferences, including providing keynote addresses at the 2015 Research in Popular Music Education Symposium in Huddersfield, England, the 2018 Mountain Lake Symposium, the 2019 Iowa Music Educators Association conference, the 2024 European Music Educators Association conference, and the 2026 South Carolina Music Educators Association conference. Bryan is also in demand as a modern band ensemble director, serving as Director for the 2022 NAfME All-National Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2023 NAfME All-Eastern Division Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2022 New York City All-City Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2022 PMEA District 7 and 2023 PMEA District 8 All-District Honors Modern Band Ensemble, the 2023 Missouri MEA All-State Popular Music Collective, the 2024 New Jersey honors Modern Band, and the 2024 Maryland All-State Commercial Music Band, the 2024 New Hampshire All-State Modern Band, the 2025 Oklahoma All-State Collective Ensemble, the 2026 Delaware All-State Modern Band, and the 2026 Pennsylvania All-State Modern Band.
Bryan is a widely published researcher and author. He is the founding co-editor of the Journal of Popular Music Education, a peer-reviewed, academic journal. Bryan has co-edited several books including the Bloomsbury Handbook of Popular Music Education (Bloomsbury), Places and Purposes of Popular Music Education: Perspectives from the Field (Intellect), Teaching Instrumental Music: Perspectives and Pedagogies for the 21st Century (Oxford University Press), and The Modern Band Handbook (OUP). Bryan also co-authored multiple books including Popular Music Pedagogies: A Practical Guide for Music Teachers (Routledge) as well as The Music Learning Profiles Project: Let’s Take this Outside (Routledge). He has published dozens of articles in peer-reviewed journals and has authored multiple chapters in Oxford and Routledge Research Handbooks.
Bryan holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Pepperdine University, a Master’s degree in Teaching from Chapman University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University
Dr. Raina Murnak is President of the Association for Popular Music Education (APME) and Assistant Professor and Studio Director of Contemporary Voice and Performance Artistry at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where she also serves as Program Director of the MA in Popular Music Pedagogy. For over two decades, she has been at the forefront of reimagining music education, performance, and creative leadership for the 21st century artist.
A multidisciplinary artist and creative visionary, Murnak’s work spans vocalist, composer/songwriter, producer, performance coach, visual artist, choreographer, actress, author, and entrepreneur. Her artistic practice is rooted in expressive freedom, embodiment, and well-being, merging rigorous musicianship with bold, contemporary storytelling. Recent highlights include contributing vocals to Pharrell Williams’ Grammy-nominated film Piece by Piece, as well as performing internationally with his VOICES OF FIRE ensemble, including appearances at the Vatican and the Toronto Blue Jays World Series celebration.
Murnak is a sought-after clinician and speaker, presenting globally on popular voice, stage presence, movement, strength-centered pedagogy, and artist wellness. She is the author of Positive Psychology for Music Professionals (Routledge), offering practical tools for cultivating creativity, resilience, and authentic artistic lives. Her work has also been recognized internationally through the AI Song Contest, where she was a two-time global finalist, placing third worldwide.
As a creator for the stage, Murnak’s original musical Belva, co-written with actress Janine Turner, continues its development with upcoming performances in Texas. She holds degrees from SUNY Stony Brook (BA, MA) and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Miami, along with a certificate in Instructional Design from Oregon State University.
2025 Winter Conference
Scenes from 2025 Winter Conference Modern Band Showcase Pilot, under the direction of Kris Gilbert
2025 Sessions for Educators
The 2025 Winter Conference featured sessions on popular music, Mariachi, and Modern Band. We are interested in featuring sessions on Emerging Ensembles and Music of all kinds. These include but are not limited to Modern Band, Popular Music Education, Mariachi, Bluegrass, Celtic, Folk, Brass Band, Indie, Electronic, Guitar Ensemble, Historical Performance Ensembles and the blending of any combination of genres/ensembles. If you are interested in presenting at the next winter conference and have questions please contact willaimsl@oacsd.org.
Scenes from 2025 Winter Conference Emerging Ensembles Presentations
Modern Band Resources
More resources are becoming available every day. These are just a few to get you started.
Organizations and Gear
Books and Music
Modern Band Method Books
The Modern Band Handbook
Music First – Modern Band
Dr. Tom’s Charts @ Sheet Music Direct
Jeremy Corcoran’s Charts @ Sheet Music Plus
More coming soon!
Recommend resources for the committee to review here.
About the Modern Band Ad Hoc Committee
This committee is comprised of modern band educators from across New York State. We are passionate about making modern, commercial, and popular music education more accessible to students and educators alike, by increasing inclusive opportunities for everyone to learn and experience more.
Modern Band Ad Hoc Committee
Sondra Braeutigam (NYC Department of Education, Zone 12)
Brian Ellison (Corning Painted Post, Zone 15)
Kris Gilbert (Windsor, Zone 3)
Kevin Heathwood (NYC Department of Education, Zone Rep, Zone 12)
Ashley Trudell (Zone Rep, Zone 5)
Steven Underhill (NYC Department of Education, Zone 12)
Lindsey Williams, Emerging Ensembles Chair (Owego Free Academy, Zone 3)
Lindsey Williams, Emerging Ensembles Chair, has directed concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, and modern bands at all levels in the Owego Apalachin Central School District since 2007, hosting and earning many gold ratings at NYSSMA festivals. She attended The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, founding their National Association for Music Education chapter and receiving her MMED and BM in Flute Performance, summa cum laude, along with the Conservatory’s Outstanding Music Educator Award. You can purchase her latest book, Where the Valley Widens, anywhere you buy books. Connect with her at:
https://www.lindseywilliamsmusic.com/
Instagram: @LindseyWilliamsMusic
Facebook: facebook.com/LindseyWilliamsMusic/
Amazon: Where the Valley Widens: https://bit.ly/AmazonWTVW