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Candidate Emily Moss

Emily Moss photograph

University of New Mexico
Director of Bands

Biographical Statement

Emily Moss is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of New Mexico where she conducts the Wind Symphony, oversees the graduate conducting program, and teaches other courses in conducting and wind literature. Her previous positions include California State University, Los Angeles (2011-2023) and the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (2008-2011). In both of these previous positions, she conducted their wind bands, taught undergraduate and graduate conducting and music education courses, and administered their instrumental music education programs.

Her involvement in CBDNA begins with active membership in 3 different divisions: Eastern, Western, and Southwestern, including attending all regional conferences while in those divisions. The Cal State LA Wind Ensemble performed at the 2014 Regional Conference in Reno, NV. She was elected as Vice President of the Western Division in 2015 and served through 2023 (Vice President, 2015-2017; President Elect, 2017-2019; President, 2019-2023). Her time on the National Board spanned from 2019-2023.

As a Board Member of the Western/Northwestern Divisions, she co-chaired the 2018 Intercollegiate Band for the Divisional Conference and planned two Divisional Conferences as President: 2020 (cancelled due to COVID-19) and 2022. Special projects within CBDNA include Co-Chair of the Small Programs National Intercollegiate Band in 2017 and Chair of the same event in 2019. In April 2020, the W/NW Divisional Board organized a Zoom Meeting for the CBDNA Regional Membership (many national members joined as well) to discuss contingency plans for large ensembles due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Emily served as the moderator. She contributed to the 2021 Guidebook for the Small Collegiate Band Program, and finally, was a member of the ad-hoc 2021 CBDNA Statement of Purpose Committee who was charged with reconceiving the organization’s Vision Statement. Both the Guidebook and Vision Statement can be found on the CBDNA website.

Vision for the Future of CBDNA

As articulated in our statement of purpose, CBDNA is “committed to serving as a dynamic hub connecting individuals to communities, ideas and resources.” In order for this mission to continue, I see a future that includes opportunities for more voices to be heard in three main areas: representation, regional leadership, and relevance. My hope is that CBDNA can be a place where all college band directors can find the support and inspiration they need to thrive, regardless of institutional size and scope; where our regional leadership can be an expanded asset and resource for our membership; and where we can discover ways to remain relevant in our communities and the broader musical world.

Representation
The field of college band directing is filled with a vast array of professionals serving students and communities of all sorts. Do they all feel represented in the work we do? To truly represent our profession, we must first listen. Are we currently serving all members of the profession? Having spent 15 years teaching in a “small program,” I can recall many moments where I felt CBDNA could do more to serve programs like mine. Recent changes have been made in this regard, but there is more to do. Success looks different for each of us, and therefore as President, I will strive to provide support as diverse as the people we serve.

Regional Leadership
I have held three collegiate teaching positions in three different regions: Eastern, Western, and Southwestern. Each time I changed positions and locations, I looked to CBDNA for continuity and community. Particularly at the regional level and primarily through our conferences, CBDNA provides opportunities for camaraderie and connection, which has proved crucial to me throughout my career. As President, I will seek to do more at the state and regional levels of our organization to help support our members. While we all share similarities in our jobs and responsibilities, each region/state has its own set of characteristics and challenges that can best be supported at the regional level.

Relevance
Our 2021 Vision Statement places at the top that CBDNA is a community of Artists. Artists who practice creativity, value all art forms, and embrace a constantly evolving musical language. Where does relevancy fit in these statements? As President, I will facilitate dialogue about the future of bands, both athletic and concert, and our relevance in the fast-changing, technological world in which we find ourselves. We must lead the way towards identifying creative solutions that will not just preserve our medium, but catapult us into a stronger future.

I am optimistic about our future. If given the opportunity to lead, I will work to create more occasions for important conversations, listen to the needs of our membership, and help to safeguard and strengthen both our medium and this indispensable organization.