Each year the district membership determines the recipients of two awards, the "Band Director of the Year" and the "Award of Excellence", through an open election during its May meeting. Listed below are the past recipients and the criteria for both awards.

"AWARD OF EXCELLENCE"
 
1.      The Band Director should be either an active or recently retired member in good standing with CDBA.
 2.      This award is based on a career of excellence in all areas of instrumental music education (i.e. having produced excellent groups in the areas of concert, marching, and jazz bands).  Another possible criteria would be having students participate in All-District Band, NC All-State Honors Band, and Solo and Ensemble Contest.
 3.      The location (i.e. rural or inner city) and situation(s) that the director has worked in should be taken into consideration.
 4.      The service that the Band Director has given to CDBA as an officer, board member, chairman of tryouts and/or clinic, committee chairman, etc. should be taken into consideration.
 5.      Any service that the Band Director has given to other professional music associations (i.e. MENC and ASBDA) should be taken into consideration.
 6.      Any professional awards presented to the director during his/her career.
 7.      Any professional publication (i.e. articles in NC Music Educator).
 8.      Any original compositions, commissions, arrangements, etc. that have added to the musical literature.
 
The recipient of this award receives an engraved plaque and letters of congratulations sent to his/her principal and superintendent of schools, in addition to an invitation to conduct either the High School 9-12 Symphonic Band or the Middle School Concert Band at the All-District Clinic. An article is also sent to the North Carolina Music Educator about this award and the recipient.

 "BAND DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR" AWARD

1.      The Band Director should be either an active or recently retired member in good standing with CDBA.
2.      The successful accomplishments of the band director's groups this year.  This would include the TOTAL music education program (i.e. concert, marching, jazz, pep bands, solos and ensembles, musical pit orchestras, All-District, and Honors Band participants).
3.      The location (i.e. rural or inner city) and the situation in which the director has worked.
4.      The service that the band director has given to the CDBA this year as an officer, board member, chairman of tryouts and/or clinic, committee chairman, etc.
5.      The service that the band director has given to other professional music associations (i.e. MENC and ASBDA) this year.
6.      Any professional awards presented to the director this year (i.e. "Teacher of the Year" Award).
7.      Any professional publications (i.e. articles in the NC Music Educator) this year.
8.      Any original compositions, commissions, arrangements, etc. that have added to the musical literature.
 
The recipient of this award receives an engraved plaque and letters of congratulations sent to his/her principal and superintendent of schools.  An article is also sent to the Band Director's local and area news media about the award.