Deadlines and Submission Links
• Band Performance Application Form — due 11:59 pm, December 11, 2026
• Audition recording Submissions — due 11:59 pm, January 20, 2027
• Deadlines will not shift for any reason, including weather.
1. Eligibility
Groups that performed at an IBA Conference within the past three years are not eligible (e.g., a 2025 performer cannot return until 2028). Each group’s director must be a current member of IBA and their district.
2. Ensemble Types Considered
• Elementary concert bands. All members must:
◦ Have two years or fewer of band experience by the date of the IBA performance, and
◦ Be in 6th grade or below.
• Middle school/junior high concert bands. May include 6th–9th graders, provided:
◦ 9th graders are not a majority, and
◦ 9th graders do not participate in IHSMA activities.
• High school concert bands — by IHSMA class (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A).
• Jazz bands — high school or middle school/junior high.
• University, collegiate, and community college concert bands and jazz bands (at least 75% enrolled students).
◦ Ensembles with less than 75% enrolled students can apply in the Community/adult category
• Community/adult concert bands and jazz bands.
3. Selection Committee Discretion
The committee may select no bands in a category if quality does not meet IBA honor band standards.
4. Literature
Programs should showcase the ensemble’s strengths through a variety of high-quality literature appropriate to its level.
5. Audition Recordings
• Must be of the 2026–2027 band.
• Minimum length by level:
◦ Elementary: 6 minutes
◦ Middle school/Junior high: 8 minutes
◦ High school: 12 minutes
• May consist of a single movement from a multi-movement work.
• Must be live, unaltered, and unedited — no post-processing (bass boost, reverb, noise reduction, etc.), no digital editing, and no splicing.
• No speaking.
• Upload as individual tracks: WAV, AIFF, AAC, or MP3.
• Title using only:
◦ Playback order (the order the panel will hear your recordings)
◦ Track title
◦ Composer
• Example title: 01 — Russian Christmas Music — Alfred Reed.wav
• Consider leading with the ensemble’s strongest piece.
Contact with questions: Dan Terrell, IBA President-Elect e-mail: dan.terrell@bandmasters.org