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BDWinds FAQ

The Bay Area's premier youth wind symphony.

Where do I sign in to my BDPA Account?

Sign into your BDPA account here. If you don't already have an account from a previous experience with BDPA, one will be created for you when registering for any program or buying any ticket. If you are not sure if you have an account - Click Here.  If you do a password reset, an email will be sent (CHECK SPAM)

For Auditionees or Participants under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must also be attached to your account. Please follow the steps below to update your information:

  1. Log in
  2. Click General info
  3. Enter Your Date of Birth in the designated field.
  4. Click the Save Button
  5. Click My Family on the left-hand side
  6. Click Add Family Member Button
  7. Fill in the information boxes and click Add Family Member.

Are there Health and Safety Guidelines?

Health and safety is incredibly important to us, and we will share all pertinent info as the season progresses.

What if I don't get an email from BDPA?

Please check your spam folder. If it's not there, please email contact us.

Covid 19 Statement:

BD Performing Arts highly recommends being fully vaccinated, which includes the most recent COVID-19 vaccine, for those who are eligible. BD Performing Arts reserves the right to request proof of vaccination as part of this verification process. The necessity of this requirement is contingent on the absence of surges in COVID-19 or other infectious disease outbreaks. We remain committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our community.


If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]

Who can join BDWinds?

BDWinds is open to dedicated wind and percussion musicians, typically high school age and older (up to 22). Membership is based on auditions, which evaluate musicianship, technique, and ensemble skills.

What kind of paperwork is involved in membership?

After auditioning, prior to full acceptance, each member must fill out a variety of forms. These forms include standard medical releases, medical history, policy agreements, etc. They will be sent via DocuSign for electronic signatures. You can read all the BDPA member policies in the member and parent page.


Paying BDPA Fees

  1. Login:
  2. Access Invoices:
    • After logging in, click "Invoices/Fee" on the left-hand side of the page.
    • You’ll see a list of invoices for everyone connected to you and all your connect family members
    • If you don’t see family member invoices, please contact us - HERE and tell us name, relation, and email address of the person missing.

Signing BDPA Documents – SIGNING ORDER (if member under 18 years old)

  1. Member Completes First:
    • Documents are sent to the member's email first.
    • Documents must be completed in all fields assigned to the member and submitted.
  2. Parent/Guardian Review:
    • After the member finishes their part, the document will automatically be sent to the adult email for review and final signature.
    • However, this does not happen before or at the same time as the member email, it’s separate and after.
  3. Complete Signature:
    • Once all required parties have signed, your account will be updated, and you will get copies of all the forms, digitally.

For members under 18, a parent or guardian must also be attached to your account to sign the required forms. Please follow the steps below to update your information:

  1. Log in
  2. Click General info
  3. Enter Your Date of Birth in the designated field.
  4. Click the Save Button
  5. Click My Family on the left-hand side
  6. Click Add Family Member Button
  7. Fill in the information boxes and click Add Family Member.

What are the audition materials?

Auditions will include the recording of several scales, one prescribed solo excerpt (musicians can choose from three offered excerpts), and one excerpt of the musician's choosing (this can include a second of the prescribed excerpts, an instrumental solo, etude, or even an orchestral or band excerpt that heavily features the instrument).

How do I submit my video audition to BDWinds?

After your registration, you will receive a packet by email, and it will be available on your account under "audition info".

To submit your video(s):

  1. Create an unlisted video on YouTube for us to review. You can submit up to three videos. See the specific requirements below.
  2. Once you have your audition video(s) prepared and uploaded, sign into your account, click on "Audition Info", and submit the url(s) of your videos. You may submit up to a total of three videos.

Once we have received and viewed your video, we will inform you of your status.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact BDWinds Management.

Do I need to re-audition every season?

Once you have successfully secured a seat in the ensemble, you can re-register each subsequent season without re-auditioning. Exceptions include members who are placed on probation due to poor attendance or members who take a season off and want to rejoin.

How much does it cost to participate?

The exact tuition fee varies from year to year, but generally the cost for participating in the BDWinds is approximately $500 (high school students and younger) and $250 (for college students). Note that BDPA supplements this tuition fee approximately dollar for dollar. Limited partial scholarships are available, so if a member is concerned with the fee, communicate with BDWinds staff. Tuition payment can be made in installments. Tour fees (if a tour is taken) for each season will be invoiced in addition to the tuition.

Where and when are performances?

The BDWinds typically perform in 4-6 local concerts a season that rotate around venues in the Bay Area and may be stand-alone or shared with another performing ensemble. Most concerts are indoors, however our fall retreat Family Day concert and our May season-end concert are usually in an outdoor venue. BDWinds is also in the process of building out a yearly tour schedule that may include state, national, or international trips with performance opportunities.

How often does the group rehearse?

Rehearsals are Mondays, 4:45–7:15pm and our season runs from late August to late May. We currently rehearse in the band room at Valley View Middle School in Pleasant Hill. Other BDWinds activities include a fall and winter retreat, instrument-specific masterclasses, and time with guest artists, composers, and conductors. Once a musician has successfully auditioned and registered, the member is expected to attend and participate in all scheduled rehearsals unless absent due to illness or conflict with a mandatory school event.

Is there any financial aid available?

There are a variety of scholarships that members can apply for. Each season, we offer a few fundraisers that members can participate in. Individual fundraisers support BDPA as a whole or individual member fees depending on the fundraiser.

How much does it cost to participate and what do fees cover?

The participation fees vary from year to year, but generally, the cost for participating in the BDWinds is approximately $400-$1500 (depending on season and planned trip).  Payment can be made in installments. Installment due dates are sent out to participants upon acceptance.

Participation fees include (but are not limited to): instruction, rehearsal and concert facilities, masterclass clinicians, guest conductors, guest artists, all performance music and folders, some branded merchandise, some snacks and meals, and percussion equipment.

Where can I find policies/handbooks and other helpful links?

Please visit the for Member and Parent Page.

Who do I contact if I have questions not discussed here?

Please visit our contact page.

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