Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • December 2013
3
As I sit in my home office trying
to choose my topic for my annual
contribution to the
Bandmasters Review
,
I keep coming back to a couple of
thoughts that I would like to share with
you. So here we go.
By the time of this
publication, high school
directors have finished
polishing and presenting
their 2013 marching band
shows. As I watched band
after band execute difficult
drill, while playing quality
literature, all wrapped
under an incredible artistic umbrella, I
was reminded how many great band
programs and directors we have in Texas.
The bar seems to be set higher and higher
every year in Texas music education. Our
music education majors, graduating from
Texas universities and colleges are more
prepared than ever to enter our profession.
The quality of beginner and middle school
teaching in Texas is at an all-time high
in terms of quality pedagogy, rehearsal
techniques and overall knowledge of the
instruments. This being said, can we
improve and do we need to improve?
Yes! Most people that read professional
periodicals such as the
Bandmasters Review
or the
Southwestern Musician
attend
TMEA, TBA and Midwest conventions,
are truly interested in becoming stronger
more effective professional educators. I
know that I share this mindset with many
of you.
The truth is, we can always improve
as band directors and become more
understanding and sympathetic people
in general. Face it; we wear many hats
throughout our teaching day. Many of
which seem to have
nothing to do with actually
teaching music. Whether
we are giving advice to
a student who does not
have a great home life and
cannot afford a decent
playing instrument or
private lessons, or the
student who seems to
have everything given to him but still
has many personal issues to deal with,
our daily jobs as band directors are
complicated at best. We love to teach kids
and this is why most of us do what we do
every day. However, we do need to step
back at times to refuel our physical and
mental tanks.
Many band directors across our state
experience similar struggles and concerns
on a daily basis. This is where TBA and
TMEA can really help. Networking and
talking with other directors across the
state can be well worth the cost of a
convention. If you have taught for any
number of years, you know and realize
that you will have good days and some
not so good days. Things seem to have a
way of working out for the best.
My wife and closest colleagues know
that I have a little game that I play
periodically. Some days I give myself a
From the Board
Jeff King, 2013 - 14 TBA Treasurer
Richard Herrera
President
Brandeis High School
13011 Kyle Seale Pkwy.
San Antonio, TX 78249
210-397-8300
richard.herrera@nisd.net
Bruce Beach
President Elect
Franklin High School
900 N. Resler
El Paso, TX 79912
915-832-6608
beachbeachmus@aol.com
Steven Moore
Vice President
Lindale High School
P.O. Box 370
Lindale, TX 75771
903-881-4140
mooresw@lind.sprnet.org
Jeff King
Treasurer
Duncanville High School
900 W. Camp Wisdom Road
Duncanville, TX 75116
972-708-3732
kingjeffrey@hotmail.com
Chico Portillo
Secretary
Pflugerville ISD Fine Arts
1401 W. Pecan
Pflugerville, TX 78660
512-594-0187
portillo.chico@gmail.com
John Morrison
Sergeant-at-Arms
Hamilton Middle School
12330 Kluge Road
Cypress, TX 77429
281-320-7021
john.morrison@cfisd.net
Alfredo Vélez III
Past President
Lone Star College-Kingwood
20000 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, TX 77339-3801
281-318-4335
email@alfredovelez.com
Michael Brashear
Executive Director
Texas Bandmasters Association
1002 Central Parkway South
San Antonio, TX 78232
210-492-8878
mbrashear@texasbandmasters.org
Texas Bandmasters
Association
2013-14
Board of Directors