Founded in 1961, the Indiana Bandmasters All-State Band is composed of the most outstanding and elite musicians from schools around the state. Students are selected through a blind audition process of challenging excerpts and etudes. In 1980, IBA introduced the All-State Honor Band as a tier above the regular All-State Band to further showcase the most elite students in the state. The Junior All-State Band was added in 2009 as a way to recognize students in grades 7-9 for musical excellence. There are been a number of students recognized for musical excellence from New Albany High School.