SJBODA History

The South Jersey Band and Orchestra Directors Association has a very interesting and storied past. Here is a timeline of important events in our history:

1946 - The South Jersey Bandmasters Association was founded by Anthony Isch (Palmyra HS) and William Grycky (Burlington HS). The first president (Grycky) was chosen by the flip of a coin, with the other (Isch) hosting the first concert.

1947 - First All-South Jersey High School Band concert (Palmyra HS). Schools were invited to participate, members were chosen on recommendation of the band directors. Nine schools sent students (Audubon, Burlington, Florence, Merchantville, Mount Holly, Palmyra, Pemberton, Salem, and Woodbury HS). In the early years, band parents from the host school arranged weekend housing and entertainment (dances, parties, and recreation) for the band members, a pre-concert banquet for the directors and conductor, and a post-concert reception for everyone.

1952 - First year of auditions; 25 high schools participated.

1955 - First All-South Jersey High School Orchestra concert (Lakewood HS), performing with the All South Jersey Chorus.

1967-68 - Name changed to South Jersey Band and Orchestra Directors Association.

1970 - First year of separate concert Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band; previous concerts featured one large concert band.

1971 - Premier of "The Overbrook March" by Robert Lowden in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the All-South Jersey High School Bands concert.

1972 - First separate concert of All-South Jersey Senior High Orchestra (Cherry Hill HS West).

1975 - First SJBODA concerts hosted by Glassboro State College.

1978 - SJBODA Executive Board begin serving two year terms.

1978 - First All-South Jersey Junior High Bands concert (Williamstown HS).

1984 - First All-South Jersey Junior High String Ensemble concert (with Senior High Orchestra).

1992 - First Scholarships Awarded at Orchestra & Band weekends.

1993 - First All-South Jersey Elementary Festival Bands concert (Cinnaminson HS).

1996 - Premier of "Celebrations" by Bruce Yurko in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the All-South Jersey High School Bands concert.

2002 - Premier of "Silver Celebration" by James J. Atkinson, III in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the All-South Jersey Junior High Bands concert.

2008 - First All-South Jersey Chamber Ensemble concert (William Allen MS). Click here to view the program.

Below are links to a list of historical conductors for each of the major ensembles sponsored by SJBODA as well as our Past Presidents and Scholarship winners. Thanks to the efforts of David Van Buren and many other contributors, this list grows with each small contribution. Any help is greatly appreciated in building our database of SJBODA's history. That old record or program you have laying in your attic may be the key to unlocking many years of history that currently is missing. Currently there are programs that can be viewed in pdf form. There are still many that are needed to complete our history. We hope to be able to provide sound clips of ensembles in the future as well!