2025 Concert Band MPA

Concert Band MPA Information 
  • CONCERT BAND MPA 2025 - Patrick Haymore and Jonathan Stafford
  • Location: Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory*
    • MS MPA Dates 2025: March 18-20
    • HS MPA Dates 2025: March 24-26
Lenoir-Rhyne University
625 7th Ave NE
Hickory, NC 28601

Registration Fee

$250.00 -  per ensemble

Registration Process


The Registration Deadline is February 7th, 2025
Here is the information for the 2024 Concert Band MPA.  Please remember that the registration deadline has changed and is now due February 7, 2025.  This is the week BEFORE the All District Band Clinic.  You are also more than welcome to hand deliver checks/registration at All District Auditions.  

Basic Concert Band MPA Information 
  • Middle School/High School Grade III (Optional) MPA dates: March 18-20 at Lenoir-Rhyne University
    • Adjudicators - Jennifer Isenhour (Gold Hill MS-SC), Phillip Riggs (Blowing Rock, NC - Retired), Debbie Davis (NC - Retired), Mekel Rogers - Sightreading (Monroe NC - Retired) 
  • High School MPA dates: March 24-26 at J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, Lenoir, NC
    • Adjudicators - Neil Underwood (Lincolnton, NC - Retired), Carson Vermillon (Science Hill HS - TN), Jim Kirkpatrick (NC Science and Math - Morganton), Roosevelt Pratt, Jr. - Sightreading (E.E. Smith HS - Fayetteville)
2025 Information 
  • 3C. When a school has more than one band, students may participate in multiple ensembles, but the total number of students performing on the same instrument in more than one ensemble must not exceed five (5) students. For the purposes of calculating duplicate personnel, if a student performs on different instruments listed separately for All-State Honor Band auditions in multiple ensembles, they would not count as duplicates.
  • 3E. Any band which performs music not on the North Carolina Bandmasters Association approved list for the year will receive comments from judges but will be officially disqualified and not receive a rating.
  • 7C. Each band must prepare a march of the director’s choice and two compositions (or one composition if it is on the Grade VI list and considered a Masterwork) from the Official North Carolina Bandmasters Association Concert Band MPA Music List. Bands must choose pieces from the same grade level or from two adjacent grade levels. All three pieces will be adjudicated and considered for the final rating. 
  • 8A: Sight-reading will be required of all bands in Grades II–VI. Grade 1 bands will not sight-read. The sight-reading score will be included in the overall rating for all participating bands unless the band is performing for comments only. Bands will read one concert selection. One sight-reading judge will be used; the judge will make taped comments and use the sight-reading form. 
  • 8B. Bands and directors will have time to look at the music. Directors will be allowed to look at the score as soon as the judge begins reading the script. Students will have time to look over the music according to the grade level of music. The times are Grades II, III, and IV - five minutes; Grade V - six minutes; Grade VI - seven minutes. During that time, they may clap rhythms, sing parts, count out loud, and finger instruments, but they may not play their instruments.Each band may play a brief warm-up scale at the conclusion of the preparation period.
  • 8C. During the actual performance, directors may call out rehearsal letters or numbers and verbal cues (e.g. “more trumpets” or “tubas watch”) but may not sing parts or rhythms while the band is playing. Only one director may work with the band in the sight-reading room, and only directors whose names appear on the event registration form may be present in the room during the sight-reading preparation and performance time. Exceptions to this (medical purposes, etc.) are up to the discretion of the event chair. The time limit in the sight-reading room will correspond with the given amount for the concert performance. 
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Registration 
  • The registration deadline is Friday, February 7, 2025. (Special scheduling requests are considered on a first-come basis based on payment)
  • Registration is a TWO step process:
Patrick Haymore
High School MPA Chairperson
Granite Falls Middle School
4 West Highland Avenue
Granite Falls, NC 28630
[email protected] 
(828) 455-6620 - call or text

Jonathan Stafford
Middle School MPA Chairperson
South Caldwell High School
7035 Spartan Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
[email protected]
(828) 302-7496 - call or text 

Step 1 - Mail the following items to your MPA Chairperson (addresses below)
Completed and signed PDF Registration Form: (PDF Registration Form)
Copy of your current NAfME card should be uploaded to the online registration form.  
School/Booster Check or Money Order.  Personal checks will not be accepted.  Checks are payable to NCMEA with either "HS MPA" or "MS MPA" in the memo line.  

Step 2 - Complete the Online Registration Form: (Online MPA Registration ) 
If you need a quote for your bookkeeper, please let your Concert Band MPA Chairperson know.  
Please review procedures for obtaining permission to perform out of district if you have a conflict with our district's Concert Band MPA dates.

Music Selections
  • Four-Year Repertoire History - Four-Year Rep History is based on the school, not the ensemble. 
  • Updated 2025 NCBA MPA List
  • There are no minimum grade level requirements.  High school bands can play music off of the Grade 1 list.  Select music that is appropriate for your ensemble.
  • Don't forget that you need three extra scores for your adjudicators.  Directors using E-Print scores must show proof of purchase for all three scores (not photocopies of one purchase).  
  • Chad Evans will be sending out information on our district's Score Share program.  Please consider using and adding to it!  Directors will be asked to review and verify each shared score on the day of the event.    

Helpful Information 
  • ​Policies and Procedures - Please read this, even if you are a veteran teacher.  Again, MPA Rule 3C is REVISED for 2025. Directors must adhere to the updates for 2025.
  • NCBA Concert Band MPA website - Contains the updated MPA music list and as well as other helpful information. 

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Sight Reading Guidelines 

Please refer to the NCBA Sightreading Guidelines 
How much time will we get in the Sightreading room, and what are we allowed to do? 
The times are: 
• Grades II, III and IV – five minutes 
• Grade V – six minutes 
• Grade VI – seven minutes. 
During that time they may clap rhythms, sing parts, count out loud and finger instruments, but they may not play their instruments. Each band may play a brief warm-up scale at the conclusion of the preparation period. During the actual performance directors may call out rehearsal letters or numbers and verbal cues (e.g. “more trumpets”, “tubas watch”) but may not sing parts or rhythms while the band is playing. Only one director may work with the band in the sight reading room.

MPA Approved Music List

Please refer to the Official MPA List.  If you perform any music that is not on this list, you will be disqualified. "Can I use photocopies of the Conductor’s Scores for the judges?" The only time that photocopies are acceptable is when you have ordered the scores and they have not come in by the time you perform. In this situation, you MUST have a letter from the publisher (not the sheet music store) giving permission to use photocopies. Also, do not forget to number the measures of the scores for the judges.

MPA Adjudicator Forms 

MPA Forms