Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • December 2012
7
clinicians and consultants. A direct result of better
and more teachers is the unprecedented growth in
quality and size of Texas band programs. Great band
instruction equals great bands!
• Music instrument manufacturers and retail
companies have improved the quality and availability of
instruments, especially student line horns. Instrument
rental programs, improved products and support from
local music retailers and their road men have all contri-
buted in a great way to the development of Texas bands.
• The quantity and quality of band music by
outstanding composers has impacted the quality of
bands. Availability of educational materials continues
to grow and improve.
• Technology including tuners and metronomes,
sophisticated recording equipment, online educational
materials (and now apps) continues to contribute to the
development of bands and challenges the 21
st
century
band student to reach even higher performance levels.
• Bands havemore choices thanever for performances
at various music festivals, marching contests, and
a variety of travel opportunities. Many and varied
fundraising opportunities now exist for bands. Quality
travel/festival companies and fundraising companies
have contributed to the success of Texas bands.
• Band parents are organized into booster clubs that
many times operate like small non-profit businesses.
This parental support is a key to further growth of
band programs.
• TMEA has contributed in many ways to the
growth of bands. The Honor Band process was
developed to showcase outstanding bands and has
defined the standard of excellence for many years.
The All State audition process has provided a vehicle
for developing musicianship by providing audition
etudes and fostering audition skills for thousands of
students. There is no way to overstate the importance
of music advocacy provided by TMEA leadership,
especially Executive Director Robert Floyd. During
challenging economic and political environments, this
advocacy has protected and enhanced band programs.
The TMEA Convention is the world’s largest and offers
directors outstanding concerts, clinics, and an exhibit
hall second to none.
• The UIL Music program has had a major impact
on the development of Texas bands. By using the
rating system at region level competitions where bands
are evaluated against a standard, rather than declaring
one winner, UIL created an environment which
encouraged directors to help each other by sharing
best practices. Under the outstanding leadership of
Richard Floyd, the UIL has provided competitions
for thousands of band students throughout the years,
setting a high standard of excellence which is the envy
of the nation. Training and education of UIL judges
through the Texas Music Adjudicators Association
continues to refine and improve band contests. The
UIL Prescribed Music List is widely respected and
used by many other states as their approved list. Using
input from various committees and working closely
with school superintendents, Mr. Floyd has overseen
the development of a band contest system that has
consistently produced more great bands than any
other state in the nation.
• TBA assists band directors by providing the largest
summer band convention in the country offering
outstanding clinics, concerts, exhibit hall, leadership
training for students and booster clubs, and the TBA
Academy for young teachers. TBA also offers additional
professional development outreach clinics throughout
the school year, the
Bandmasters Review
, and a wealth
of instructional materials on our website.
As Texas band directors, we have much to be
thankful for and much to be proud of. By reflecting
on our history, one thing becomes very obvious to
me. The unparalleled growth and development of
Texas bands is a result of great teaching and learning
as well as partnerships and relationships developed
over a period of years between many individuals and
organizations. As directors today, we stand on the
shoulders of those giants who came before us and hold
the awesome responsibility to make our contribution
to further the success of Texas bands. Based on my
observations the past few years, we have a bright
future indeed! Have a Happy Holiday, get lots of rest,
and KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Proud Of Texas Bands!