Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • December 2012
26
Continue to apply the concepts when developing
your band’s technical and rhythmic abilities. The
overall goal must be to make these listening skills a
natural part of playing the instrument at all times. It
is much more fun and rewarding
to work on music when all the
necessary skills are already in place.
This opens the door to developing
true musicianship in our students—
yet another journey for a lifetime.
Finally, I encourage you to listen
to as many different bands as you
can, especially bands of the same
level as yours, and especially if
you are a young director. Find the
groups that get “that sound” for
you and ask the directors if you
can come watch a rehearsal to see
the process they use to teach their
students, keeping in mind that it’s a
one day “snapshot” of a multiple year process.
Make the most out of the lifelong learning
opportunities afforded you through the TBA and
TMEA conventions.
As mentioned many times already, this is a profession
of which any one miniscule aspect could occupy a
lifetime to master. I think that’s way more fun than
selling insurance.
David Brandon is currently an assistant director at Duncanville
High School where he is responsible for the Honors Band and the
DHS Marching Band. Mr. Brandon frst taught for seven years as an
assistant director at Bammel Middle School in the Spring ISD before
moving to Byrd Middle School and subsequently Duncanville High
School in the Duncanville ISD. Bands under his direction have been
consistently recognized for their achievements,
including continuous UIL Sweepstakes
Awards, Best In Class and Outstanding
Band awards at various festivals as well as
advancing to the state levels in the TMEA
Honor Band competition and UIL Marching
Contest. The 2004 Byrd Band was named
the Texas CCC Honor Band and the DHS
Marching Band earned Bronze Medals at the
State Marching Band Contest in 2006 and
2010. Mr. Brandon received his Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State
in 1987 and his Master of Music Education
degree from The University of Southern
Mississippi in 1989. Since beginning his
teaching career he has benefted greatly from
the teaching and guidance of Eddie Green. Mr.
Brandon has served as the Region XX Junior
High Chairperson and is an active clinician
and adjudicator in Texas. He has presented
several clinics for the Texas Bandmasters
Association and has been on the faculty for
the Music For All Summer Symposium held annually at Illinois
University in Normal, Il. Mr. Brandon is a member of the Texas
Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association
and Phi Beta Mu Bandmaster Fraternity.
Gett ing “That Sound”