ACB Connects!

ACB Connects! is a series of live and recorded sessions to connect with our members. Started during the COVID-19 Pandemic to share resources and research, now they are a way to bridge the miles and share information of interest to the band world in a webinar format. Previously recorded sessions are available for view on the ACB website.

NEXT SESSION

June 1, 2025

4pm Eastern

"The How To of Planned Giving for Community Bands"

On June 1, 2025, ACB Connects! will present "The How To of Planned Giving for Community Bands," with moderator Larry Lang and guest panelists Kenneth Siebenmorgen and Heidi Sytsema. Kenneth is a CFP, CRPC, and Private Wealth Investor while Heidi is Vice President of Development and Donor Services at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, MI. This ACB Connects! session will provide members with information to begin the process of designing Planned Giving strategies for your Band. Learn about our speakers here.

Register for June 1, 2025 Session

ACB Connects! Promotional Video

ARCHIVED SESSIONS

If you have difficulty with these links, please contact [email protected]. When clicking on the video, you may wish to select "View Full Screen" when the video starts to play.

ACB Connects! 2024 Sessions

Session 1: January 21, 2024

"Managing Your Band: Part 1 -Strategic Planning: What is it and How can I get started?"
Guest Panelist:Keith Hodgson, South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble (New Jersey), Clay Hooten, Recently retired Director of Bands at Dardanelle High School (Arkansas), Rose Wiersma, Zeeland Community Band (Michigan), Ned Snow, Santa Fe Concert Band and High Desert Winds (New Mexico).
Session 2024-1 information

Session 2: March 3, 2024

"Managing Your Band: Part 2: Financial & Funding Concepts"
Guest Panelist:Keith Hodgson, South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble (New Jersey), Clay Hooten, Recently retired Director of Bands at Dardanelle High School (Arkansas), Rose Wiersma, Zeeland Community Band (Michigan), Ned Snow, Santa Fe Concert Band and High Desert Winds (New Mexico).
Session 2024-2 information

ACB Connects! 2023 Sessions

Session 1: January 29, 2023

"Community Music Can Save the World"
Presentation by Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner, Dean of the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University
Session 2023-1 information

Session 2: March 12, 2023

"Conductors Roundtable"
Guest panelists: Sarah Good Mosley and Mark Mosley, Windy City Winds (Chicago); Michael Burch-Pesses, Oregon Symphonic Band; Stephanie Sugano, Roseville Community Concert Band (California); Dr. Mark Rogers, Heart of Texas Concert Band (San Antonio)
Session 2023-2 information

ACB Connects! 2022 Sessions

Session 1: January 18, 2022

“Learn How to Use Endowments to Help Fund Your Band”
Presentation by Heidi Sytsema, Vice President of Development and Donor Services
Session 2022-1 information

Session 2: January 30, 2022

"A Conversation with Alfred Watkins"
Conversation between Tom Rotondi and Alfred Watkins about a variety of topics, including his remarkable career and his thoughts on community bands.
Session 2022-2 information

Session 3: February 27, 2022

"A Conversation with Paul Murtha"
Conversation between Tom Rotondi and Paul Murtha about a variety of topics, including his start in community bands and approach to composing and arranging.
Session 2022-3 Information Page

Session 4: March 20, 2022

Interview and discussion with Robert Musser, founder and Conductor Emeritus of the Tacoma Concert Band and esteemed clinician.
Session 2022-4 Information Page

Session 5: August 28, 2022

"Engaging Audiences"
Presentation by Captain Christina Muncey on many ways for a band to engage with their audeince.
Session 2022-5 Information Page

ACB Connects! 2021 Sessions

Session 1: January 31, 2021

"Benefits of ACB Membership: Spotlight on NAXOS Music Library"
Presentations by John Sells of NAXOS Music library and Sarah McElfresh from ACB
Session2021-1 information

Session 2: March 7, 2021

“Planning for Virtual Collaborations”
Presentations by Tom Seaton, Sarah McElfresh and Scott Hosner from ACB
Session 2021-2 Information

Session 3: March 14, 2021

“Virtual Concerts: Nuts & Bolts of Video Production"
Presentation by Scott Hosner
Session 2021-3 information

Session 4: April 11, 2021

“Virtual Performances: Tips from the US Army Field Band”
Col. (Ret.) Tom Rotondi and Col. Jim Keene moderated presentations by members of the The US Army Field Band.
Session 2021-4 information

Session 5: May 16, 2021

"Live Concerts During Covid -Thinking Outside the Stage"
Speakers: Dr. Eileen Young, Salem Band; Dr. Stephen Grugin, Marquette City Band; Annette Kline, North Oakland Concert Band
Session 2021-5 information

Session 6: May 26, 2021

"Virtual Orientation to the Performing Arts Reading Room - Library of Congress"
Presenters: Melissa Wertheimer, Music Reference Specialist and Caitlin Miller, Reference Specialist
Session 2021-6 Information

Session 7: July 11, 2021

“A Conversation with Col. Jason Fettig of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band”
Conversation with ACB President Gail Brechting and Col. Jason Fettig of the United States Marine Band
Session 2021-7 information

Session 8: August 15, 2021

“A Conversation with Johan de Meij”
Conversation between ACB President Gail Brechting and Composer Johan de Meij about his long career and his love of wind band music.
Session 2021-8 information

ACB Connects! 2020 Sessions

Session 1: July 17, 2020

"COVID discussion with Lt. Col. Tod Addison and Chief Jonathan Crane of the West Point Band"
Session 1 information

Session 2: August 30, 2020

acb connect 2

"Bioaerosol Emissions and Exposures in the Performing Arts”
presented by Dr. Rebecca Philips and Dr. John Volckens of Colorado State University
Session 2 Information
Video removed on 6/3/2021 after Round 3 results presented to NASM

Session 3: September 27, 2020

"Discussing Adaptable music with members of the Creative Repertoire Initiative."
presented by Robert Ambrose, Alex Shapiro, and Frank Ticheli
Session 3 Information and Links

Session 4: October 25, 2020
Members Only

"THE BANDS PLAYED ON: ACB Community Bands Transposing into a New Reality”
Speakers from: Greater Des Moines Community Band, Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band, Rancho Cordova, and St Johnsbury Band, St Johnsbury, Vermont, United States
Session 4 Information
The recording of this session will only be available in the Members Area of the website.

Session 5: December 6, 2020